In recognition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, the reproductive health project of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in Daraa conducted several awareness sessions attended by women from the local community. The sessions explained the campaign’s goals and the importance of women's empowerment that plays a key role to defend women against the different types of violence they may expose to.
What is the 16-day campaign?
16-day of combating violence against women or 16-day of activism against gender-based violence is a global campaign launched by the United Nations in 1991, with the aim of combating all forms of violence against women and girls around the world. The campaign runs from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, which is Human Rights Day. The color designated for the campaign is orange, and the United Nations has chosen this color, “as an expression of hope for a bright future free of violence.”
Overview of the reproductive health project
According to the vision of the United Nations Population Fund, every person has the right to enjoy reproductive health, which forms the basis for having healthy children, intimate relationships and happy families, as reproductive health includes major issues, as every child is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person is free of HIV and that every girl and woman must be treated with dignity and respect. Reproductive health problems are still the main cause of ill health and death for women of childbearing age all over the world. Poor women, especially those living in developing countries, suffer more than others from accidental pregnancies, maternal deaths, disabilities and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, gender-based violence, and other problems related to their reproductive system and sexual behavior.
The Project activities in Daraa
The reproductive health project in Daraa is implemented through two mobile medical teams and a dispensary providing health and treatment services and medical examinations to the people in the city and its countryside. The mobile teams consist of doctors, nurses and midwives, as well as volunteers who provide health education sessions, psychological support and awareness of gender-based violence.
Two-month statistics
The Reproductive Health Project of the #SyrianArabRedCrescent, supported by the #UNFPA, has provided provide its services to more than 5,000 people in Daraa (Khirbet Ghazaleh, Alma, Al Soura, Dael, Ibta’a, Al Sehwa, Kahil, Qarafa and Namer) during October and November 2020, and will go on actively to the end of this year.