The National Council for Women (NCW) has launched this year’s 16-day campaign to combat violence against women for the 7th year in a row, using last year’s slogan “Be the One”. Coincidentally, the campaign takes place at the same time the world celebrates the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women”, from November 25 to December 10.
The campaign will move forward with its regular seminars, discussing methods to achieve women’s empowerment and advocate against all types of gender-based violence.
However, this year will witness the launch of a parallel campaign in 10 Egyptian Governorates, entitled “Protect Her from Circumcision”, organized by the National Committee for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, and overseen by the NCW, in cooperation with the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood (NCMC). It involves spreading awareness of the harms of female genital mutilation.
President of the NCW, Dr. Maya Morsy highlighted the government’s effort throughout the past 8 years, underlining the laws and legislation enforced to combat all forms of violence against women, which includes an article in the investment law that guarantees to provide women with equal investment opportunities and criminalize the act of depriving women of their inheritance. On top of that, they implemented the civil service law to permit a four-month maternity leave rather than only three; in addition to issuing a penalizing law against fathers who refuse to financially support their children by paying alimony. Moreover, the cabinet approved a preliminary law against early, bargain, or forced marriages, as of 2022.
The NCW will collaborate with the United Nations Population Fund, during the campaign, and set up a workshop, through which 65 men and women will attend a course on how to battle brutal crimes against women, as well as crimes linked to personal status.
