Saturday 25 November 2017 marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. On this occasion, the Gender Working Group , under the umbrella of the United Nations System  in Lebanon, joins forces to launch the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, aiming at raising people’s awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality worldwide and in Lebanon.
 
GBV is widespread in Lebanon and continues to disproportionally affect women and girls. According to the Gender-based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS), since 2015, an average of 90 per cent of incidents of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) reported to specialized services providers has involved women and girls. The most commonly reported type of violence involves physical violence, accounting for 40 per cent. Gender parity is still low and inequalities persist between male and female to access to opportunities in all spheres: the Human Development Report 2015 ranked Lebanon 78 out of 188 on the gender inequality index. Most political powers are against reserving a quota for women in elections, thus women’s representation in parliament remains very low (3.1 Per cent). These facts and figures from different sectors remind us that there still is a long way to go for Lebanon in order to achieve gender equality and end GBV.
 
Throughout the Campaign, the UN Agencies and their partners will use different media streams (Twitter, instagram and Facebook) to disseminate facts and figures on GBV from various sectors as well as key messages to call for ending violence against women and girls. In addition, a TV spot to raise the public’s  awareness of GBV and gender inequality will be broadcasted on national TV channels.  According to Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, “Violence against women affects not only those suffering at the hands of an abuser, but it affects entire families, entire communities and the growth of the society as a whole. UN Lebanon is committed to work with national partners to end gender based violence to ensure an equal and secure society”.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It serves as a time to raise awareness and increase momentum toward ending violence against women and girls worldwide. The United Nations Secretary General, through the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign, supports the 16 Days of Activism under the 2017 overarching theme, “Leave No One Behind: Ending Violence against Women and Girls.”

Media Contacts:
For more information:
Sabine Piccard, UNFPA, 70202721
Maryam Sleiman, UN Information Centre in Beirut, 70118990