Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls is a global phenomenon that has been recognized as a critical violation of human rights, affecting all spheres of a women’s life and of society. Violence against women is prevalent in the Arab region.

Despite a growing commitment demonstrated by Arab countries towards gender-sensitive legal reform, violence against women has been on the rise over the years, with many ever-married Arab women experiencing some form of violence during their lifetime.

Our approach

ESCWA works with member States and other stakeholders to enhance women and girls’ safety by undertaking the following:  

• Evaluating services available to women victims of violence to identify appropriate interventions and assist stakeholders in developing services in line with international standards; 

• Supporting member States in their efforts to develop national strategies to combat violence against women, and review related legislation and regulations;  

• Supporting member States in their efforts to estimate the economic cost of violence against women, and develop tools to calculate other aspects of discrimination against women;  

• Providing evidence-based policy recommendations to align Governments’ efforts with international commitments to combat violence against women. 

Our partners

Stakeholders include national women machineries in Arab countries.

Partners: 

UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN-Women, WHO 

Arab Institute for Women  

ABAAD 

Women Against Violence Europe 

Westminster Foundation for Democracy 

Our activities

ESCWA produces studies, reports, policy briefs and papers that investigate Arab countries’ responses to violence against women by analysing related policies and legislation, and services offered to survivors of violence. The aim is to provide countries with best practices from the region and beyond on holistic approaches to combat violence against women. ESCWA also prepares models and guidelines and holds regional and national workshops to build member States’ capacity to estimate the economic cost of violence against women, so as to produce stronger advocacy material and strategies at the national level to combat violence against women.

As a member of the United Nations interagency Issue-Based Coalition on Gender Justice and Equality, ESCWA works with other United Nations agencies to advocate for women’s rights. For example, for the 2022 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, a joint statement has been issued to acknowledge the important role of civil society organizations in addressing violence against women and girls in the Arab region. This project complements the annual ESCWA Arts Competition and Social Media Campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, held in partnership with the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University.