United Nations House in Bahrain Goes Orange in Support of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Manama, Bahrain, 29 November, 2020 - The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Bahrain is proud to support 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign spanning two important international commemorations. The campaign, which began on November 25, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, will run up to International Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10. In solidarity with the Supreme Council for Women, and in close collaboration with UN Women, the United Nations House in Hoora will be bathed in orange light throughout the campaign.

Photo: Courtesy of Resident Coordinator Office in Bahrain

In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres is urging global action through his campaign to UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women. The United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Bahrain, Mr. Mohamed El Zarkani, invites all people, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire United Nations family in Bahrain to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. El Zarkani, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Bahrain said, “The 16 Days of Activism Campaign coincides with Bahraini Women’s Day on December 1, spearheaded by the Supreme Council for Women under the leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty the King, with the theme of Bahraini Women's Day for 2020 being “Bahraini women in the diplomatic field”. The convergence of these events will be an opportunity for all Bahrainis to spark a renewed sense of urgency and bolster global action to end violence against women and girls.”

On behalf of Supreme Council for Women, H.E. Hala Al Ansari, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Women in the Kingdom of Bahrain said “On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Supreme Council for Women reaffirms the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts in the field of protecting human rights and preserving the dignity of citizens and residents in accordance with its constitutional principles and the rule of law, in addition to its commitment to international conventions and treaties on human rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which is reconfirmed through Bahrain's commitment to support all efforts dedicated to the issue of combating violence against women at the national and international levels.”

Also commenting was UN Women Regional Director, Ms. Susanne Mikhail who said, “Bahrain’s strategic approach to ending violence against women, including the implementation of the National Strategy to Protect Women against Domestic Violence, can produce lessons for other countries in our region and beyond. UN Women is proud to partner with the Supreme Council for Women and the UN Country Team to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, in furtherance of Bahrain’s commitments under Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the 17 SDGs, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women, and other legal frameworks.”

Violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. The Secretary-General has urged countries to prevent and redress violence against women and girls as a key part of their COVID-19 response plans. Around 135 countries have adopted measures to prevent or respond to violence against women during this global crisis. However, more needs to be done to address violence against women and girls at the local level, and to ensure adequate funding for such measures. There remains a culture of impunity around violence against women and girls, and the global pandemic is threatening to reverse progress if women cannot access the care and support they need.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call to: fund essential services on gender-based violence and women’s organizations working at the forefront; respond to the needs of survivors, including during the global pandemic; prevent gender-based violence from happening in the first place by challenging cultural and social norms, mobilization campaigns, and adopting a zero-tolerance policy; and collect data that will improve services, programmes and policies.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain and UN Women join the Secretary-General in his appeal for concrete, tangible and meaningful commitments during the 16 Days of Activism.