In focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in the Arab States region

The United Nations is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign: “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”

Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.

While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending and preventing all forms of violence against women, has announced a special fundraising challenge, #Give25forUNTF25, marking 25 years of grant-making to support women’s organizations around the world.

Take action

You can take action during the 16 Days of Activism. Here are some ideas:

Photos

Message from the Executive Director

Read the message

Stories of change

"Lebanon: “Once I had a lawyer with me, everything changed.”

Morocco Impact brief: Police units for women victims of violence prioritize survivors’ needs

From where I stand: “Any woman who faces violence like I did should ask for help”

Know the issue

Types of violence against women and girls

The signs of relationship abuse and how to help

Resources

Violence against women in the online space: insights from a multi-country study in the Arab States

Using an innovative web-based data collection technology, the study surveyed some 11,500 male and female Internet users over the age of 18 in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and Yemen to explore the prevalence, impact, and consequences of online violence on women in the Arab States... More

Review of good practices for remote service delivery to survivors of violence in the Arab States region

Gender-Sensitive Police Response in Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls in the Arab States

Video

Awareness-raising video on providing safe workplaces for women

#16DaysChallenge

#16DaysChallenge: What are you doing to end violence against women and girls?

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (25 November to 10 December 2021) under the global theme, “Orange the World: END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOW!” More

See our coverage of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from previous years: 2020, 2019, 2018