OCHA says over 7 million people in Syria in need of GBV services
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Over seven million people, the overwhelming majority of whom are women and girls, are currently in need of gender-based violence (GBV) services in Syria.
This came in a Joint Statement by UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Muhannad Hadi, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which also kicks off the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against GBV.
The initiative, launched in 2008 under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, was created to support the civil society led 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign around the world.
This year’s theme is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”
Managed by UN Women, UNITE calls on governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, media, and the UN system to join forces to address the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.
GBV is a persistent and tragic reality in Syria, “manifesting itself in the form of physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, exacerbated by the compounding impacts of the long-running crisis, displacement and economic deterioration,” according to the statement.
“Women and girls in Syria also face movement restrictions and are often excluded from employment opportunities and access to critical assistance,” the statement added.
The UN addresses GBV across Syria and stresses that efforts need to continue and increase, “towards providing life-saving services to GBV survivors; addressing root causes of GBV, investing in eliminating harmful gender norms and ensuring that the rights and well-being of women and girls are protected,” according to the joint statement.