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Tripoli - Monday 25 November 2019 Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and it also remarks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) together with partners’ will be addressing gender-based violence in Libya, work to raise awareness and to put an end to violence against women and girls, by focusing on this year theme for Libya “violence is not a solution”

 

UNFPA Libya country office, organizes the 16 Days of Activism campaign together with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and local partners to advocate and raise awareness on gender-based violence especially against women and girls. The campaign involves many local organizations and institutions throughout the entire country.

Throughout the Campaign, UNFPA, and its partners in parallel with the Libyan government will organize activities include multiple open events, media campaign, online discussions, and art competition to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) under a national campaign called "Violence is not a Solution". In addition, key messages will be showcased via billboards in different locations in Libya and broadcasted on the local radios and TV channels to call for ending GBV.

 

Gender-based violence is a major health and human rights issues, during conflicts women and young girls are more vulnerable and exposed to violence, and become victims of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence with severe consequences on their mental and physical health.

 

“The 16 days of activism is a chance for UNFPA and the Libyan Ministries of Social Affairs and Education to join forces and work hand-in-hand towards ending gender-based violence and harmful practices throughout Libya. Protecting women and girls from violence and harmful practices is not only a moral and human rights imperative, it is also critical to the economic and social progress of any society. UNFPA Libya is proud to see the commitment of the Libyan government and the national partners working to eliminate gender-based violence and to ensure more equal opportunities for women and girls in Libya.” says Berangere Boell-Yousfi - UNFPA Country Representative in Libya
 

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. The campaign starts every year, all over the world, on November 25- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - and ends on December 10- International Human Rights Day- in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. UNFPA's 2019 16 Days Campaign in Libya is co-financed by the government of Canada.

For more information please reach us on libyaco@unfpa.org

UNFPA, The United Nation Population Fund, delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.