Unusual act from a head of state, former leader of the Armed Forces, as we don’t know of similar example of a statue dedicated to violence against women. We shall see if he will fulfill his promises, at least about reform of legislation. To Mov
President of the Lebanese Republic General Michel Aoun unveiled on Saturday November 25, 2017 a memorial statue for ABAAD dedicated to all women victims of domestic violence in Lebanon. The ceremony which took place along the road to Baabda Palace, was held as part of a solidarity campaign against gender-based violence, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
In his speech, Aoun described violence against women as a type of barbarism – the result of an absence of human feeling towards another being. “One of my goals as president is to eliminate the legal differences between men and women, although this is a small step towards eliminating gender-based violence,” he said.
“It’s painful to see that one in four women experiences sexual abuse,” Baabda director Ghida Anani said. “It’s painful to see that every month, a woman is killed. We are demanding our full citizenship rights.” She added that the statue was “proof of President Aoun’s commitment to end violence against women.” Also in attendance were Minister of State for Women’s Affairs Jean Ogassapian, Justice Minister Salim Jreissati, Lebanon’s U.N. Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini, U.N. Women’s MENA Regional Director Mohammad Naciri and President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Claudine Aoun Roukoz.
Lazarini reiterated the message of the Secretary–General delivered on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, that every woman and every girl has the right to a life free of violence. He assured that the United Nations is committed to addressing violence against women & girls in all its forms.
Naciri saluted the women who faced violence only because they are women.
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Ghida Anani – ABAAD Founder & Director
