25 November 2021 - EUMM joins the international community in marking this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign under the global theme “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”. The campaign kicks off on today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day, calling for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts and take concrete steps to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.
Globally, 1 in 3 women have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. Gender-based violence continues to be a global human rights violation due to pervasive social and economic inequality, women’s limited participation in politics and the public sphere, and harmful and discriminatory social norms, stigma and gender stereotypes.
“On today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, EUMM reiterates our dedicated support for preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, in Georgia and globally. Gender-based violence is a widespread human rights violation, with conflict-affected women and girls severely affected. Although this serious human rights violation is prevalent, it can and must be prevented,” says EUMM Head of Mission Marek Szczygieł.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the scale and effects of gender-based violence, especially domestic violence, while access to protection and support mechanisms and quality services for GBV survivors has been limited in many areas.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated gender-based violence. It is more urgent than ever that we tackle the root causes of violence against women and girls to enable them to realise their full human potential, to ensure greater public participation and to create more peaceful, stable and secure societies for all,” says Kate Fearon, EUMM Deputy Head of Mission.
Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, EUMM actively supports this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign. In particular, EUMM will distribute information flyers about existing support services for survivors of gender-based violence near the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABL) where the Mission actively patrols, and will “orange” its patrol vehicles across Georgia to show support and solidarity with gender-based violence survivors and the global “Orange the World” campaign.
Through its Field Offices in Gori and Mtskheta, EUMM will organise art contests for school students in ABL areas as well as outreach with schools and universities and information sharing meetings with civil society. EUMM will also organise a “Wishing Tree” outreach activity with schools in ABL areas near Zugdidi to raise awareness on gender-based violence and will attend the Open Day of the Gori’s women’s shelter to demonstrate support.
EUMM Georgia also joins the international community in Georgia in signing this joint statement:
