Launch in Marrakech of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2019

The global annual campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence” was launched Saturday in Marrakech under the theme “Positive Masculinities: Men & boys reject violence against women and girls”.

This event, open to the general public and organized by the United Nations in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, aims to raise awareness on violence against women and girls.

This year’s theme in Morocco is an invitation to men to get involved in the fight against gender-based violence and to promote the positive masculinity of men and boys in favor of gender equality and the end of violence against women and girls, said UN Women Representative for the Maghreb, Leila Rhiwi.

This year’s campaign, which uses the hashtag #Hit_Ana_Rajel, aims to raise awareness on the positive role of men and boys in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls, she told MAP.

This event is aimed at engaging men and boys in the fight to end violence against women and promoting a collective consciousness, she added.

A recent report on gender-based violence in Morocco showed that the phenomenon is expanding. In 2018, there were nearly 12,233 cases of violence against women, compared to 10,959 in 2017. Physical violence represented 5.7%, psychological violence reached 48.95%, and socio-economic violence 24.42%, while sexual violence reached 4.68 %.

A government-sponsored survey indicated earlier this year that 93.4% of sexual violence victims have not reported to authorities.

The majority of victims of violence, according to the report, were housewives with “poor education.”

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign.

It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.

It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.

 

It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

The UNiTE campaign 2019 will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under the theme, “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”