Kirkuk – 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

As part of the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI HRO) organized a strategic discussion in Kirkuk.

Participants included 12 women and nine men, from Salah-al Din, Diyala and Kirkuk Governorate, including representatives from police Family Protection Units, members of local administrations, the Iraqi High Commission of Human Rights, women rights activist and successful candidates of the October 2021 elections.

UNAMI HRO screened the advocacy short film ‘Breaking the Silence’, illustrating the plight of survivors of domestic violence, the obstacles faced when seeking support and highlighting the need criminalize domestic violence.

During the strategic discussions, participants shared their experience supporting survivors of gender-based violence and the need to strengthen existing response mechanisms, including increasing the numbers of female employees as a crucial step to strengthen the trust between survivors who seek for support and the existing institutions. In addition, participants highlighted the need to criminalize violent crimes committed at home and to enact anti-domestic violence law as a crucial step to counter gendered misconceptions and reluctance to address societal norms and behaviour to criminalise violence in the family.

Join the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: watch the film ‘Breaking the Silence’ and sharing the short advocacy film on social media platforms. 

EN video:   Iraq | ‘Breaking the Silence’ - YouTube