LOC18:13
15:13 GMT
CAIRO, Nov 24 (KUNA) - The Arab League and United Nations (UN) stressed on Saturday that violence against women undermines their contribution to development, peace and security, and hampers their quest to gender equality and attaining basic rights.
This came in a joint statement issued by The UN System-Wide Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, on the eve of launching "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign" to encounter violence against women, in celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that comes on November 25.
Both sides are aware that violence against women and young girls is considered a severe violation of human rights, and results in health, social and economic great costs, which forms a threat to achieving the goals of sustainable development in 2030, the joint statement indicates.
It renewed the commitment of all partners with all member countries to unite the efforts at the national and regional levels to put an end to violence against women, and to guarantee a future free of violence in the Arab region, as well as working enough to offer women the needed protection, it said.
It called on the national bodies in charge of protecting women's rights to "develop regulations and policies that criminalize violence and guarantees protection for women and young girls, as well as setting comprehensive strategies and work plans at the local level".
It stressed on the importance of transferring the violence cases against women and young girls to the official judicial system, as well as offering protection and support services for victims and survivals of violence "that comes in accordance with the international standards" .
The statement encourages listing women needs within the comprehensive national developmental plans and elimination of poverty strategies that solves the social, economic and structural issues.
"There would be no rights without protection of women's rights, and there is no progress or stability without a respected and appropriate position for women in a society free from violence in all of its forms", it added. (end)
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