"16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE" CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
25.11.2009 16:52

A campaign "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence" aiming to
increase public awareness on gender-based violence was launched today
in Yerevan.

The campaign is carried out jointly by Armenian authorities, the UN
Resident Coordinator a.i., UNFPA, UNDP, UNDPI, UNHCR, as well as by
civil society organizations and media.

Ms. Lala Ghazaryan, the Head of family, women and children issues
department within the Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Issues
presented the current challenges and results achieved by the government
in the field of combating gender based violence. Also, the message
of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, on the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was read out to the
audience. "In every country, women and girls continue to be plagued
by violence, causing tremendous suffering. Such violence undermines
development, generates instability, and makes peace that much harder
to achieve. We must demand accountability for the violations, and
take concrete steps to end impunity. We must listen to and support
the survivors." UN Secreatary-General, Ban Ki Moon.

Ms. Jina Sargizova, UNFPA National coordinator of "Combating Gender
Based Violence in the South Caucasus" project and "16 Days" campaign in
Armenia talked about various activities, such as press conferences,
public hearings, public service announcements broadcasting, film
screenings, roundtable discussions with participation of refugees,
rural women and local government representatives, youth and journalists
in Yerevan and throughout Armenia. UNFPA is organizing these activities
together with governmental and non-governmental partners.

The planned activities focus on cultural and national aspects of
violence against women, including domestic violence, trafficking and
HIV/AIDS twin pandemics, men’s participation and role in combating
gender-based violence and the importance of the youth involvement.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international
campaign that runs from November 25, the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, International
Human Rights Day and symbolically links gender violence and human
rights issues.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including
December 1, World AIDS Day, December 2, International Day for the
Abolition of Slavery and December 6, the anniversary of the 1989
"Montreal Massacre".