Marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence - Orange the Worl Panel Discussion

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global initiative aimed at combating violence against women and girls. This campaign originated at the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute,
organized by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. It runs annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).
In 2024, Kuwait joins the global movement with a series of joint activities spearheaded by the UN Resident Coordinator Office, in collaboration with key local and international partners. This year’s campaign aligns with
the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, calling for increased accountability, stronger national strategies, and expanded support for women’s rights organizations.
Under the theme: “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women,” the campaign emphasizes collective efforts to accelerate the elimination of
violence against women and girls.
 

Objectives:

1. Raise awareness of GBV in Kuwait, focusing on vulnerable groups. 
2. Foster collaboration among government entities, international organizations, and local actors to advocate for women’s rights in line with national and global commitments.
3. Strengthen capacity-building efforts for NGOs, local authorities, and institutions to create a robust framework for addressing GBV.
4. Empower women by mapping and promoting available rights and support services in Kuwait.

5. Engage youth through the Youth Ambassador Programme to build future advocates for gender equality.

   Expected Outcomes:
    
   1. Increased awareness of diverse strategies to address violence against women.
   2. Improved understanding of best practices for GBV prevention and response.
   3. Strengthened collaboration among stakeholders to foster innovative and inclusive solutions.

   The event will feature a panel discussion, with contributions from the United Nations and the French Embassy, focusing on the following structure:

   
   1. Opening Remarks:
   H.E. Ms. Ghada Eltahir, UN Resident Coordinator to the State of Kuwait
   H.E. Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs
   H.E. Mr. Olivier Gauvin, Ambassador of France in the State of Kuwait

   
   2. Thematic Interventions:
   Mr. Mazen AboulHosn, Chief of Mission, IOM Kuwait, providing an overarching UN perspective;
   Socioeconomic dimensions of GBV and prevention strategies; Legal and human rights frameworks for
   combating GBV.
   Ms. Marie Guillaume, Director of AVAD (Association for the Assistance of Victims of Assault and Violence),
   presetting lessons learned from France, focusing on:
   3. Interactive Q&A Session:
   Prof. Lubna Al-Kazi, Professor at Kuwait University, Department of Sociology and Social and Founder of
   Women’s Research & Studies Center, providing an overarching perspective of the national mechanisms
   and legal structures
   An exchange with the audience to promote dialogue and knowledge sharing.
   Victim 1. support mechanisms.
   2.Coordination across judicial, psychological, and social sectors.
   3.Best practices and tools for holistic response.