NNA – Beirut, 25 November 2023 ndash;nbsp;quot;The United Nations (UN) system in Lebanon in partnership with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) have come together to kick off the international campaign on 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence to galvanize efforts to prevent and ultimately end the scourge of violence against women and girls, which is escalating amid the current multi-layered crisis. The campaign runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women ndash; almost one in three ndash; have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.[3] There are many different forms of violence against womenmdash;physical, sexual, psychological and economic. Violence against women has far-reaching consequences for women, their children, and society as a whole. Women who are subjected to gender-based violence suffer a range of health problems, and their ability to earn a living and to participate in public life is diminished. Their children are significantly more at risk of health problems, poor school performance and behavioral disturbances.
In Lebanon, women and girls are increasingly facing gender-based violence (GBV) at home, at work and in the public sphere. In 2020, 43 per cent of women and 30 per cent of men reported witnessing violence or knowing a woman who had experienced violence[4]. Preventing violence against women and girls requires long-term, concerted efforts and a multidisciplinary approach that includes raising awareness on the negative consequences of violence against women; addressing the root causes of the problem by changing discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes through the engagement of all of society; empowering women and girls in the economic, political and social spheres to enhance their resources and skills and strengthening access to justice for women and girls survivors of violence and ending impunity for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.nbsp;
This year, the UN, Gender Working Group (GWG), Gender-Based Violence Working Group (GBV WG) and NCLW are propelling the global campaign with a national call to action to address the increased risks of gender-based violence, including in times of crisis. Based on the global theme, UNiTE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls, it focuses on the importance of financing strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place.
ldquo;This global initiative serves as a powerful reminder that it is our duty to come together and cultivate a safer, more inclusive world for everyone. We are steadfast in our conviction that no individual should ever experience violence or discrimination based on their gender. We are committed to tirelessly working at all levels to guarantee that each woman and girl has the chance to live a life devoid of fear and to never give up in our battle against violence. By joining forces, we can forge a future where hope prevails over despair, and where compassion and unity lay the foundation for a world where every person is cherished and esteemed,rdquo; said Claudine Aoun, President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women.
Bearing in mind that GBV services are lifesaving in situations of peace and even more so in times of crisis, the campaign will raise awareness of the struggles of women and girls in these challenging times and draw attention to how the Government of Lebanon and donors can ensure that gender-based violence is prioritized in annual and multi-year planning and funding.
ldquo;Gender-based violence is not only a human rights violation but is also damaging to society as a whole,rdquo; said UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka. ldquo;As Lebanon faces multiple crises, most recently the risk of conflict, women and girls have the right to be safe and protected. Women should also be empowered to use their full potential and to play leading roles in contributing to their countryrsquo;s wellbeing, peace and security and sustainable development.rdquo;
Coordinated by UN Women, the campaign includes social media messaging over the course of the 16 days, with the #NoExcuse and #وقفة_لوقف_العنف hashtags, which aims at drawing attention to the needs of women and girls in all their diversity. The campaignrsquo;s main visual will be hanged up on NCLWrsquo;s building faccedil;ade, throughout the 16 days.
The campaign will include a video featuring international Lebanese artist Abeer Nehme and news anchor and university professor Yazbek Wehbe and social media posts calling on national institutions, humanitarian partners and policymakers to prioritize gender and GBV risk-mitigation strategies in ongoing emergency planning and preparedness. It also asks for the support of community leaders and all women, men and girls in advocating for the protection of women and girls from violence, at all times, including in times of conflict and crises. nbsp;
quot;As we continue to advocate for peace in these difficult times, we also prioritize gender-based violence in our ongoing emergency preparedness and response plans to help prevent and curb the deliberate violence against women and girls in these times of distress and heightened vulnerabilityrdquo; commented Imran Riza, United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon. ldquo;Throughout these 16 days of activism, we call for increased investment in the prevention and protection of women and girls from the scourge of violence. This is crucial to help forge a path where every woman and girl can live free from fear, discrimination, and violence,quot; he stated.
The international 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign originated from the 1991 first Womenrsquo;s Global Leadership Institute as a means to raise awareness and increase momentum to ending violence against women and girls worldwide. The UNITE to End Violence against Women initiative, launched in 2008 under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, supports the civil-society-lednbsp;16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violencenbsp;campaign around the world.
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—— Press Release – United Nations Information Centre Beirutnbsp;