The National Council for Women, represented by the Health and Population Committee headed by Dr. Ahlam Hanafi, held a symposium entitled “Safe and Healthy Relationships for Women” in the presence of male and female members of the committee, within the framework of the 16-day of activism against gender-based violence campaign, launched by the National Council for Women under the slogan “Koony” or “Be”.
Dr. Maha Ghoneim, a member of the committee, confirmed that violence against women constitutes a major threat to the security and stability of the family and society, in addition to being a major economic and social burden borne by the state, through protection or prevention measures and interventions undertaken by the state to support battered women and protect the rest of the individuals affected by this dangerous phenomenon, especially children.
She further praised the Council’s efforts to address the issue of violence against women and stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved except by ensuring a safe life for women free of fear and intimidation.
On her part, another member, Hadeer Al-Qassas, pointed out the importance of safe and healthy social relationships for women, touching on the definition of healthy relationships based on unconditional acceptance of others, and she also defined toxic relationships, their types and signs, and how to deal with them, and finally touched on how to form healthy and safe relationships for women.
In turn, Committee member Rehab Al-Qaseer discussed the health effects resulting from violence against women, stressing that it is considered a serious public health problem, as women and girls are affected psychologically and physically by various types of social violence, such as early marriage and female circumcision.
They also suffered from discrimination in access to proper health care, but now, with a political leadership that believes in women’s effective role in society, many important health initiatives related to women’s health have been launched.
Finally, Dr. Mona Al-Akkad concluded the session by stressing that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights that has continued for decades, and moral violence is the most dangerous type of violence common in all societies and has devastating effects on women’s mental health.
