27 November 2017, Ashgabat. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan marks the 16 Days of Activism for ending violence against women by raising awareness to national partners, Civil Society and UN staff. UNFPA, as a key global player in ending violence against women, leads the campaign joined by UNDP, UNWomen, UNICEF, UNODC, WHO and IOM.
This two-week campaign consists of a number of activities to help join in the global initiative to take action and to end violence against women. On November 27 an information boards and a "Selfie Booth" were set up at the UN House where all staff, partners and guests of the building were invited to take selfies with an Orange ribbon and share the important messages to end violence and discrimination against women and girls. The volunteers of UNFPA Y-PEER, Youth Peer Education Network in Turkmenistan, a group of young leaders committed to promoting healthy living and gender equality among their peers, led the engagement at the “Selfie Booth.”
All UN Staff and guests got the orange ribbons to wear to show their commitment to prevention and elimination of the gender-based violence (GBV). The facts on GBV were displayed across the building, and the videos with key messages on prevention and elimination of GBV were played.
This educational campaign aimed to increase knowledge of UN staff and guests on the substance of the problem and how everyone can contribute to prevent and combat violence against women and girls. This campaign focused on girls’ education, early childhood development, gender-responsive social services, the combating patriarchal norms and practices, women’s economic and political empowerment, reliable data on the current situation of women in the country and many others.
The campaign will continue on December 2 with a mini marathon organized by UNFPA called “Leaving no one behind”, which is to highlight the gender equality issues. The event is to take place at the Ashgabat Stadium. This will be an open event for all of UN partners, national partners and civil society organizations, families and friends. Information stations will be installed to share knowledge on women’s rights and development.
"Yet, gender-based violence is a problem everywhere, every day, not just in crises. One in three women globally have experienced violence at some point in their lives. Gender-based violence, along with harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, are human rights violations that rob women and girls of their futures and undermine their health and well-being" notes Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign which 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. It was originated by the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership.
