News and Features

Human Rights Day 2019: EUMM successfully wraps up the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence

10.12.2019

Today, 10 December, is Human Rights Day. It marks the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV) campaign, which began on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

This year, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) joined forces with the global #OrangetheWorld campaign, using the colour orange in all outreach and communication materials. Over fifty-seven thousand people were reached through EUMM’s social media campaign, marking a significant increase in audience engagement. The Mission distributed hundreds of orange ribbons to communities for men and women to wear as a sign of their support for the fight against GBV.

EUMM marked the campaign by holding a total of 23 events overall which took place in each of its 4 locations (Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori and Zugdidi) on each of the past 16 days.

These events included outreach sessions in schools and universities, innovative forum theatre performances, roundtables and information sessions with local NGOs, the distribution of EUMM-supported information leaflets about crucial services for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, and interactive posters for its own staff to present their views on the topics.

Topics included gender-based violence (GBV), harmful gender stereotypes, gender-based bullying, gender equality, and women’s human security. Through outreach sessions in 15 schools – mainly close to the Administrative Boundary Lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia - and 2 universities, EUMM reached over 600 young people, such as.

“When girls know about their rights and that GBV is a human rights violation and that help is available, we can better protect ourselves,” said a 16-year-old girl who attended one of EUMM’s presentations. “There are many harmful gender stereotypes that fuel inequality and violence in the society,” added her classmate.

Recognizing GBV as one of the gravest and most prevalent human rights violations in the world, EUMM remains committed to the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence beyond the 16 Days of Activism campaign.


 

 

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