News

UNHCR marked 16 days of activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

All countries of Central Asia devoted a number of events and activities to UNHCR campaign called "16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence", organized annually at the end of November and beginning of December. This year the campaign was conducted from 25 November to 10 December under the theme: «FROM PEACE AT HOME TO PEACE IN THE WORLD: LET'S STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN!».

All campaigns demonstrated that violence against women is a flagrant violation of human rights, and therefore, all countries should take this issue into account in order to demonstrate their commitment to combat it. UNHCR have registered a number of cases of violence against women. For refugee women, it is very important to know where they can go and where to get help. That is why for UNHCR, the main aspect of the campaign remains awareness sessions for refugee men and women. During these sessions refugees learn about the threats of domestic violence and get information on how to get support.

In Kazakhstan, UNHCR conducted an awareness session for refugees and students of one of the leading universities. Many of the students expressed their interest to carry out research on these issues. In Turkmenistan, awareness sessions were conducted for refugees and presentations for students.

In Tajikistan, two awareness sessions were organized on Domestic Violence on 26th and 27th of November. Around 50 Afghan Refugees attended the sessions, where following a documentary movie on domestic violence, open discussion space was given and attendants actively exchanged their experience and raised their concerns regarding the issue.

Ms. Davlatova, from the State Women Centre at the Mayor's Office who provided information about the centres where victims of domestic violence can seek help, explained "there are many kinds of Domestic Violence such as violence by children to their parents, violence by parents to children; however, the major DV issues here is violence against women; violence by husbands towards their wives." Attendants were given contact details of the centres that are run by the State Women Centre at the Mayor's Office and encouraged to alert them when they encounter problems of DV. At the end of the sessions, all participants received orange scarves which were hand made by an Afghan refugee disabled man for the visibility of the 16 days of Campaign for Violence against Women. The production of scarves is supported by UNHCR to improve the refugees' self-reliance. The orange colour is the symbol of the campaign.

In Kyrgyzstan UNHCR conducted meetings and presentations on reproductive health, prevention of gender based violence and access to protection/shelter for refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCR also conducted presentations on tolerance, prevention of home based violence in major city schools where refugee children are enrolled.