Kurdistan launches 16 days of activism campaign

Shafaq News/ Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) launched on Monday a 16-day campaign against violence against women, which will witness a number of activities in this area.

"On this occasion, one of the biggest violations of human rights, violence against women, should be eliminated," Minister of Interior Rebar Ahmed said in a speech delivered on behalf of the region’s Prime Minister , Masrour Barzani.

"We in KRG announce launching a 16-day of activism campaign to combat violence against women and reassure you that the regional government will continue in this campaign every year, and will devote all efforts to combat violence in general, which is practiced against women in particular work to develop a culture of respect for human rights and justice, Equality and the elimination of domestic violence. "

"There is no doubt that government institutions cannot fulfill this responsibility on their own. Civil society organizations, especially women's organizations, clergy, intellectuals and media must cooperate to promote a culture of tolerance, non-violence and mutual respect," he said.

Ahmed pointed out that " Kurdistan region worked in previous years seriously to eliminate violence against women, conducted a corrective process of not tolerating the killing of women treating it as a criminal offense, and the determination of polygamy, raising the age of marriage and the issuance of an anti-violence law and other laws like it."

He also said, "With regard to the participation of women in the political process, Kurdistan Region has gone a long way towards that and the level of representation in the government and parliament is a matter of pride, a proof of Kurdistan's belief in gender equality and providing opportunities for women in all aspects of working life."

However, despite these successes unfortunately, women still face violence such as sexual assault, circumcision, forced marriage and murder, as well as diminishing the dignity and prestige of women and respecting her, which negatively affects the members of society, especially the family, so it must be confronted and put an end to it".