ASMAA FATHI

Cairo - Egyptian  New Woman Foundation ( NWF) held a symposium to discuss the protective mechanisms for elimination of violence against women with the participation of member of women’s organizations as part of its 16-day activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Lamia Lotfi, Director of Programs at the New Woman Foundation, told us that the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The foundation has held meetings, symposiums and seminars with the cooperation of the Heliopolis Public library to discuss protective mechanisms for elimination of violence against women. “The participants share their experiences during our activities,” she said.

Gender-based violence keeps increasing

Mai Saleh, a consultant of the New Woman Foundation, thinks gender-based violence is one of the alarming issues everywhere. Underlining that violence at the workplace threatens equal opportunities and equality and prevents women from showing their creativity due to pressure on them.

Action plan for 16-day activism

Pointing out that working women in the private and informal sector should be protected, Mai Saleh said, “Women are subjected to violence at the workplace. The reports confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a shadow pandemic of violence against women. Working women are subjected to all forms of violence such as psychological, physical, economic and sexual violence and various forms of discrimination. ILO Convention No. 190 is a convention protecting workers from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. All countries must ratify this convention to protect women from violence at the workplace.”