In support of the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence", EUBAM Rafah has raised the voice to end violence against women.
This comes as part of a campaign that started on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and ends on Human Rights Day on 10 December. The campaign was originated by activists at the Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and has continued ever since to be coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership.
In 2008, a UN campaign calling for global action to End Violence Against Women and Girls around the world by 2030 was launched. The campaign, known as UNITE, calls on governments, civil society, women's organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing violence against women and girls. The campaign builds on existing international legal and policy frameworks and works to synergize the efforts working to prevent and end violence against women and girls. (source:https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women)
On the matter, EUBAM's Border Police Expert, Mr. Per-Elof Bengtsson said: "As the Mission's gender focal point, I constantly urge people and Mission members to join efforts in standing against violence against women. Many women worldwide are subject to sexual violence in different settings including but not limited to sexual harassment and rape. According to different UN and EU studies, 15 million adolescent girls approximately have experienced forced sex across the world whereas 45 to 55 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment in the EU. The world is changing and people are becoming more aware of human rights as well as women's rights. It is now the time to stand hand in hand to combat violence against women for both a present and a future that ensure equality and equity between women and men and that are free of all forms of abuses and discrimination against women. It is worth noting that in the efforts to create a comfortable environment for female passengers at Al-Karama terminal and taking into account gender sensitivities in the Middle East, EUBAM Rafah has provided the General Administration for Borders and Crossings with a private space for women for resting and nursing purposes. This station will be available to the public and is shielded from view and free form intrusion thus reducing any possibility of violating or restricting a mother's right."
