GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND 16 DAYS CAMPAIGN

ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 25 November that UNFPA Armenia organized a press conference and photo exhibition to launch the "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence" campaign. Press conference speakers included Filaret Berikyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Issues, Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, Assistant Representative for UNFPA Armenia, and Mrs. Jina Sargizova, “Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus” Project Coordinator, UNFPA Armenia. The speakers presented the campaign details and talked about the current situation with gender violence in Armenia, as well as the Government policy for combating gender violence. Messages from UN Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director devoted to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women were distributed during the press conference. Read: Public Radio of Armenia, Noyan Tapan, Ankakh.com. Read in Armenian: News.am, Henaran Press Club, Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Hotlist.am, Radio Liberty Armenia. Read in Russian: Novosti - Armeniya, Hayinfo.ru, 1News.az

BANGLADESH: The Gulf Times (UAE) and The Daily Star reported on 25-28 November that taking a stand against gender violence, Bangladesh Musical Bands' Association, in association with UNFPA and the Government of Bangladesh, were to hold a concert at the Army Stadium in Dhaka to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Woman. The theme of the concert is “Say No to Violence Against Woman: Be a Real Man.” Read: The Daily Star (28 November) The Gulf Times and The Daily Star

Bdnews24 reported on 24 November that a rally was organized to raise awareness among men and boys to prevent the abuse and harassment of women, especially at home and in the workplace. Speakers expressed their concern over the increasing incidences of sexual violence and suggested that only “men” can stop such incidents from occurring. “It's not exclusively a women's issue. But it is an issue for everyone," said UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken. "It is not inevitable." He said, "A real man doesn't beat up his wife or throw acid. A real man respects women." He called on the government to ensure implementation of the laws and enable men to play a major role to stop such violence. Read: BdNews24

BELARUS: TUT.BY commemorated on 26 November the day of elimination of violence against women. UNFPA Programme Analyst Tatyana Haplichnik, was a guest at TUT.BY TV and discussed the day’s history, the number of women in Belarus who are abused at home, what is done in the country to address the problem and other issues related to the day. Read and watch in Russian: TUT.BY

CHINA: China Daily, CRI English and Xinhua reported on 25 November that the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and United Nations in China jointly held an EVAW Day event in Beijing themed "UNiTE to end violence against women" to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The ACWF indicates that women are easy targets for common domestic violence, since figures show the social problem occurring in 30 per cent of China's 270 million families. Women are the victims in 85 per cent of the abuse cases. Read: CRI English, China Daily, Xinhua

CUBA: Cubahora reported on 25 November on the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The article outlined the proliferation of violence against women around the world, noting that UNFPA estimates that between 85 and 114 million women and girls, most of whom live in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, have undergone this bitter experience, that as well as being painful, can cause infection and lead to death since they are done in places without proper conditions and with rudimentary perforating objects that have not been sterilized. Read in Spanish: Cubahora

GEORGIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 23-26 November on the official opening of the 16 Days of Activism organized by UNFPA in Georgia and supported by the Parliamentary Council on Gender Equality and the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence on 25 November. Rusudan Kervalishvili, Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council, Lali Papiashvili, Chairperson of the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence, Jamie McGoldrick, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia and Lela Bakradze, UNFPA Assistant Representative a.i. in Georgia made opening speeches at the press conference. Within the framework of the event, an award ceremony for the Best Gender Media Works contest was held. The contest was announced in the beginning of 2010 within the framework of the UNFPA-implemented project “Combating Gender-based Violence in the South Caucasus” and aimed at raising journalists’ professional interest in women’s rights and domestic violence. Read: GINSC, 24 Saati, The Messenger and OnlineNews.GE and in Georgian: Radio Tavisupleba and 24 Saati

GUATEMALA: CIMAC reported on 23 November on a forum to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against women. The forum, titled "The impact of violence against women in areas of public and political participation in South-Western Region" was conducted by UNFPA in coordination with women's organizations in the region. Yolanda Avila, UNFPA gender officer, said the aim was to deepen and analyze the impacts of violence against women in all its manifestations, as part of the commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Read in Spanish: CIMAC

IRAN: IRNA published a statement on 27 November by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. “We are convinced that a coordinated and comprehensive approach will move us closer to a world where women and girls can live free from fear, violence and discrimination, reach their full potential, and enjoy equal opportunity and mutual respect and confidence with men,” said Ms. Obaid. Read: IRNA

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 25 November on an event organized by UNFPA to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “I Have the Courage and Strength to Say NO to Violence. You can do it, too!” is the slogan of the public awareness campaign for prevention of domestic violence, currently running on national media. The campaign is a part of the Joint Programme implemented by five UN agencies: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNIFEM and WHO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Read in Macedonian: Kirilica, Mnogoo, eReporter, DW-World, Netpress

MALDIVES: Minivan News reported on 27 November that a nationwide campaign against domestic violence dubbed “1 in 3” was launched to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign was launched by the Maldivian Network on Violence Against Women, a loose coalition of NGOs and individuals who came together to advocate for pioneering legislation on domestic violence currently before parliament. While a draft for domestic violence legislation had existed for several years, the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s women’s wing announced the development of a bill to be submitted to parliament earlier this year. The announcement was welcomed by President Mohamed Nasheed, who argued that a bipartisan effort to pass the legislation was more likely to succeed. The bill, supported and facilitated by UNFPA, aims to “make domestic violence illegal, to prevent domestic violence from occurring, to provide justice to survivors of domestic violence and abuse as well as to ensure state responsibility in providing services to address domestic violence-related crimes in society,” according to a press statement by the NGO Network. Read: Minivan News

TUNISIA: Le Renouveau reported on 26 November on a workshop on the elaboration of a national monitoring and evaluation mechanism of GBV held by the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and the elderly in collaboration with UNFPA, within the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The meeting was held to boost efforts to promote the development of programmes and strategies that will create a practical and qualitative change in the fight against GBV. UNFPA Assistant representative Leila Joudane welcomed the Tunisia’s efforts since 2008 to implement a national strategy for the prevention of GBV in order to preserve the dignity of women and protect them against all forms of discrimination. Read in French: Le Renouveau

YEMEN: Yemen Observer published on 27 November UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid’s statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Read: Yemen Observer