MECC Participating in A United Nations International Campaign
"UNiTE to End Violence against Women"
One in two women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some type of violence, and nearly one in 4 women feel unsafe at home...[1] These are numbers recorded by the UN Women based on data from 13 countries since the Coronavirus outbreak. But these are also shocking numbers that describe a harsh reality. Hence, danger on women’s life is increasing, specially that they are often considered one of the weakest groups in societies.
Aiming at reducing and even trying to eliminate the violence, the Middle East Council of Churches participated in the international campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women" launched by the United Nations in 2008, as an initiative of 16 days of activism that begins on November 25 of each year with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on December 10 with the Human Rights Day.
So how MECC accompanied women during this campaign? the Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Beirut office, organized two awareness sessions on gender-based violence, in cooperation with the international organization Norwegian Church Aid - NCA, in which two groups of 30 women participated.
Participants learned about the types of gender-based violence and their impact on their daily lives, as well as ways to face them. The sessions also shed light on the various women rights and what to do if help needed from the specialized parties.
Moreover, a group of 30 women participated in an awareness session on HIV and its causes in order to raise their awareness and avoid its symptoms.
During the campaign, the MECC team communicated with the participants through daily awareness and motivational messages via WhatsApp, focusing on violence and ways to eliminate it.
It is worth mentioning that the Middle East Council of Churches has sought since its establishment, to support and empower women and develop their capabilities through various programs and activities.
[1] https://arabstates.unwomen.org/ar/news/stories/2021/11/new-un-women-data-confirms-violence-against-women-has-worsened-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic#_ftn1
