On the side-lines of the second edition of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit (WEEGS) in Sharjah, NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), organised a special event to commemorate the conclusion of UN Women’s annual international campaign, ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’, which runs from 25 November – 10 December.

The campaign calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

“Violence against women is a global problem that affects approximately one third of women worldwide,” said Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, while addressing the gathering.

Calling attention to the issue of gender-based workplace violence, she said, “Violence and harassment experienced by women in professional settings is a pervasive and persistent global issue, permanently scarring victims physically and psychologically, and threatening their very source of livelihood.”

BinKaram stressed on the need for business leaders to create diverse, inclusive and respectful environments, urging them “to enact policies that address gender harassment, guided by transparency and accountability.”

NAMA is committed to do its part in ending this social epidemic, she added.

Speaking at the event, Khetsiwe Dlamini, Chief of Staff, UN Women, pointed out that along with the engaging discussions and debates at WEEGS 2019, which emphasised empowerment of women and increasing their access to economic opportunities, the safety and wellbeing of women should also be accorded high priority.

“Ending violence against women and girls requires taking a long hard look at addressing the many institutional and structural barriers, patriarchal systems and negative stereotyping around gender,” she said, calling for the need to provide access to multi-sectoral and coordinated services to break the recurrent cycles of violence and mitigate its consequences.

In her address, Khetsiwe Dlamini congratulated the UAE for endorsing a policy in November to prevent domestic violence. “I am happy to be in a country that realises how identifying mechanisms for protection and intervention, development of legislation and laws, as well as prevention and raising community awareness about domestic violence are all necessary requirements to end violence against women and girls,” she said.

She also commended UAE for pledging US$10 million to support ending of sexual and gender-based violence earlier this year.

WEEGS 2019, organised by NAMA in collaboration with UN Women under the theme ‘Drivers of Change’, concluded yesterday, hosting a 1000-plus participants, including local government representatives, regional and global experts, gender equity advocates, business leaders and decision makers.