16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Esteemed Panelists,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much Amal.

On behalf of UNAMI human rights office I thank you all for participating in today’s even to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. May I also extend special thanks to the al Amal organization for hosting us here today.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the civil society initiative of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The anniversary therefore provides a timely opportunity to re-affirm our commitment to ending gender-based violence and increase awareness, galvanize advocacy and create new opportunities for discussion about challenges and solutions.

The success of the global campaign requires effective engagement at the national level and, in that spirit, I am pleased to also welcome our distinguished panelists. Your expert view on the current status of the draft anti-domestic violence law, initiatives to strengthen existing response mechanisms and how the work of civil society can amplify the ongoing debate, will be invaluable in shaping the subsequent open discussion.

I also look forward to presenting today a short advocacy film produced by my office earlier this year called ‘Breaking the Silence’. The  film aims to raise awareness and encourage broader engagement withthe ongoing efforts to criminalize domestic violence in Iraq, formalize an effective support system for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable without the possibility to mitigate sentences in the name of so called ‘honor’.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has vividly highlighted all the risk factors for violence against women and girls, including unemployment and poverty, and has reinforced many of the root causes of such violence, such as negative gender stereotypes and harmful social norms.

This new reality of enhanced risk has reinforced the urgent need for Iraqi law to protect the most vulnerable, especially at home. Without the criminalization of domestic violence, the most brutal violence – acts that outside the home would be considered criminal – will continue to be treated as mere ‘family disputes’ or ‘private matters’. 

I am very much looking forward to the expert panel and the open discussion.