SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The 16 days International campaign of activism against gender-based violence commenced in the Kurdistan Region on Friday with top political figures reiterating their commitment to protecting women’s rights.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November. The campaign aims to challenge violence against women and girls.
President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Talabani said the campaign is a “great” step to respect women’s struggle as well as the efforts to protect their rights and the termination of their exploitation or social discrimination.
Despite expressing his grave concerns over the violence and violations committed against women “without any justifications for strict women’s liberty”, he also issued “zero tolerance” for any of its party cadre or members who commit gender-based violence.
“Any members or cadres or members of the PUK, no matter what positions they have held, if they commit gender-based violence or touch women’s rights and personal freedoms, will consequently face harsh party prosecutions,” President Talabani added.
“The complete PUK’s organs must cooperate and coordinate for the sake of fulfilling women’s rights and providing gender equality within all its institutions,” Talabani stressed.
“Women are the ultimate power of the PUK, leading the civil democratic struggle, as the result, we decided to offer more opportunities for women for organizational work, leading the rest of the PUK’s orangs and showing active participation,” he continued.
As many as 3,846 cases of violence against women, including sexual assault, have been recorded in the Kurdistan Region in the first six months of 2020, according to the directorate general to combat violence against women and families.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated his commitment to the protection of women’s rights and freedoms in the Region, stressing the necessity of such values for a stable and civil society.
“As always, we will continue work and efforts to achieve more and protect women’s rights and create a society where women are free, equal, and unburdened by any threats of violence and killing under any pretext,” read a statement from President Barzani on the same occasion.
Meanwhile, Iraqi President Latif Rashid said the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is a reminder and urge to end this “brutal” behavior.
The Iraqi President called for the development of legislation in support of a “culture of coexistence” between men and women.
