PASS Foundation– Peace for Sustainable Societies and Medalah Foundation inaugurated the Open Day event for the "365 Days Campaign to Combat Violence Against Women" under the slogan Together Towards a Full Year of Combating Violence Against Women. The one-day event, held via Zoom, featured women who have made a significant impact in their communities, discussing the histories and realities of Syria, Lebanon, and Sudan. It also included the participation of influential young activists and a distinguished group of female leaders from civil society organizations in Aden Governorate.
The campaign, led by the teams of the two organizations, included:
Ms. Bahia Hassan Al-Sakkaf, Chairwoman of PASS Foundation – Peace for Sustainable Societies
Ms. Athar Ali Mohammed, CEO of PASS Foundation.
Eng. Mohammed Yassalam, Program Manager representing Medalah Foundation.
Ms. Bahia Al-Sakkaf emphasized the importance of inauguration the "365 Days Campaign to Combat Violence Against Women" under the slogan Together Towards a Full Year because violence is not confined to a specific time frame. She pointed out that women in the region suffer from the ongoing effects of violence, displacement, and annihilation throughout the year. She highlighted the need for sustainable and continuous efforts to raise awareness and support women's rights.
She added that violence against women is a global crisis affecting humanity, with statistics showing that one in three women worldwide has experienced violence at some point in her life. She noted that the suffering of women in the Arab region is compounded by the ravages of war and conflict, as seen in Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan, where women bear the brunt of these crises. She concluded by saying, “Sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence are not enough; we need 365 days to support and bring about the change women in the Arab region are waiting for amid the current circumstances.”
Contributions from Regional Voices via Zoom
Ms. Naamat Koko (Sudan): A researcher in development issues and alternative policies, and a gender expert. She spoke about the impacts of regional and international interventions in Sudan’s wars and conflicts. Koko emphasized the need for solidarity in ensuring that perpetrators of violence during wars and conflicts are held accountable and brought to justice.
Ms. Hanan Osman (Lebanon): Head of the Women’s Committee at the Nowruz Cultural and Social Association in Beirut. She highlighted the severe consequences of war on women, noting that the number of female fatalities had reached half a million. She also addressed how systematic and creative uses of violence as a weapon of war have been employed to intimidate and oppress women in Lebanon.
Ms. Nuha Al-Eryani (Yemen): A human rights defender, stressed the importance of the 365 Days Campaign, stating that the voice of advocacy for women should not be limited to specific periods. She saw the campaign as a form of resistance for women to assert their presence and defend their rights, especially since women constitute nearly 50% of the population and seek their basic rights.
Ms. Bushra Ali (Syria): General Coordinator of the NADA Regional Alliance, discussed the plight of Kurdish women and the violence they face. She called for solidarity and collective efforts to address and curb the widespread violations against women through coordinated action across countries.
Ms. Rawan Ehab Abbas: Representing PASS Foundation -Peace for Sustainable Societies. she Foucesd on the reality of violence against women in Yemen. She detailed the various forms of violence—verbal, physical, and psychological—and emphasized the importance of enhancing women’s value in society. She invoked historical examples, such as Queen Arwa and Balqis, to highlight the significance of empowering women.
Presentation and Discussions
The event included discussions, interventions, and a film presentation that illustrated the reality of violence against women and strategies for advocacy. It also underscored the importance of breaking the silence around any violation against women by reporting incidents through a hotline, preventing them from escalating into more severe criminal acts.
Artistic and Cultural Segment
In a festive atmosphere, the campaign featured segments of songs and showcased four artistic forms: design, painting, photography, and short stories. Attendees voted on the best pieces, under the supervision of a judging panel:
Ms. Khawla Al-Yamani: Painting Committee.
Mr. Amr Al-Eryani: Short Story Committee.
Mr. Ali Najeeb: Photography Committee.
Mr. Osama Naaman: Design Committee.
The winners in each category were announced and awarded certificates of appreciation and cash prizes.
Closing Remarks
The winners expressed their gratitude to PASS and Medalah for their encouragement and moral support in showcasing their work, which raised awareness of the importance of combating violence against women. The event closed with a group photo to commemorate the occasion.