On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, we, the team of the campaign “Dar Mesh Aman,” comprised of the”SANAD Legal Support for Women” initiative , “Fakr Tany” Foundation, the “Merit Net for Sustainable Development” Foundation, and the “Nawarah” initiative would like to express our deep appreciation for the courageous women who shared their testimonies about the domestic violence they have experienced. These testimonies have revealed a tragic reality about the violence that women endure at home, which urges us to work earnestly to end this prevailing phenomenon and ensure the safety and security of women in our Egyptian society.
Lastly, as we conclude the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which was divided into two sections, the first section featured a collection of testimonies documented by the SAND initiative during the campaign, while the second section focused on defining the various forms of violence experienced by women and girls, which we shared regarding types of domestic violence. We emphasize that this is not the end of the campaign; rather, it is an ongoing and continuous effort. We conclude this part of the campaign with a set of recommendations:
We recommend enhancing awareness and education: It is crucial to raise awareness about different forms of violence and their negative impact on women and society as a whole. Educational programs targeting the entire community, including men and youth, should be provided.
Encouraging reporting and providing support: Women should be encouraged to report cases of violence, and safe and reliable mechanisms for reporting and necessary support should be established. Consultation, psychological support, and legal services should be made available to affected women.
Strong legislation and policies: Effective laws and policies should be enacted to protect women from domestic violence. Pressure should be exerted to discuss and ratify the proposed Unified Domestic Violence Law to strengthen women’s rights and achieve equality. A legal framework that punishes offenders and ensures justice for victims should be provided.
Based on these recommendations, we call upon all institutions and stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and civil society, to collaborate and unite in implementing these measures and achieving positive change. Everyone should shoulder the responsibility to work together to end domestic violence and create a safe and respectful society for women.
In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of immediate and serious action to address domestic violence and support affected women. We all strive to build a society that respects women’s rights and ensures their safety and well-being. Domestic violence is not just a personal issue; it is a public issue that requires collective action. By promoting awareness and effecting behavioral and policy changes, we can build a more just and peaceful society for everyone.
We remain committed to supporting and spreading this campaign and working with all our might to achieve positive change. We thank you for your support and participation in this important cause.
Dar Mesh Aman” – Let’s build a society without domestic violence.