New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called for us to rise together and raise our voices loudly regarding violence against women and build a world that refuses to tolerate it anywhere, in any form, once and for all. This came in the daily news bulletin of the United Nations, and we received a copy of it on Saturday morning
The Secretary-General described violence against women as a horrific human rights violation, a public health crisis, and a major obstacle to sustainable development
This came in a message issued by the Secretary-General on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which the United Nations commemorates annually on November 25.
António Guterres said that violence against women continues, is widespread, and is getting worse. “From sexual harassment and assault to femicide, violence takes many forms. But they are all rooted in structural injustice, perpetuated by millennia of patriarchal domination.”
He pointed out that we still live in a male-dominated culture that leaves women weak by depriving them of equal dignity and rights, noting that “we are all paying the price: our societies are less peaceful, our economies are less prosperous, and our world is less just. But it is possible to create a different world.” .
This year's celebration comes under the slogan "Investing to prevent violence against women and girls."
The Secretary-General said that the theme of the celebration calls on all of us to take action and support comprehensive legislation and policies that enhance the protection of women’s rights in all fields.
It also calls on us to increase investments in prevention and support women's rights organizations, listen to the voice of survivors and end impunity for perpetrators everywhere, and advocate for women activists and strengthen women's leadership at every stage of decision-making.
16 days of activity campaign
As every year, International Day marks the beginning of the Unite! campaign. The United Nations, which includes 16 days of activity to combat violence against women and girls, starting on November 25 and ending on December 10, which is the day on which International Human Rights Day is celebrated.
Women in Gaza
In light of the conditions in the Gaza Strip and on the occasion of International Day, our correspondent Ziad Talib met a number of displaced Palestinian women who spoke about the current situation and the challenges they face.