CAIRO: Five Egyptian human rights organizations decided to withdraw from a global campaign for women's rights, instead directing their efforts into fighting violations by the police and military forces in light of clashes that took place last month. Different international rights groups are taking part in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25. Nazra for Feminist Studies, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, the New Woman Foundation, El-Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and the Women and Memory Forum have been planning the 16-day activities under the theme “Militarism and Ending Violence against Women.” “This year's theme was a chance for us to draw attention to the current situation in Egypt and how living under military rule contributes greatly in escalating violence against women by reinforcing patriarchy,” the five rights organizations said in a joint statement. However, as the “second wave of the revolution” rose against militarism and not only police brutality, it has been noted by the organizations that the violence at the moment in Egypt is from both the police and the military forces, and so they have joined all Egyptians in the fight. Several activities planned by the organizations to commemorate the 16 Days campaign were canceled in light of the clashes that left over 40 people dead. “Women in this second wave of the revolution are participating more, although it is more violent, they are challenging the protective circles that are built around them by the patriarchal society,” the statement said, pointing out that women on the frontlines have been detained, injured and harassed in their fight for the country's freedom. The statement also noted that attitudes towards women have changed. For example, when women marched to Mohamed Mahmoud Street, where clashes between police forces and protesters raged, they weren't met with aggression like they were on their march on International Women's Day last spring. “I felt very powerful by the presence of women in the frontline not fearing police brutality and challenging the protective role that men usually play in their lives,” said Yara Sallam, Women Human Rights Defenders Program manager at Nazra. Even though, they won't be taking part in the international campaign, Egyptian rights organizations have sent a message to the world saying, “On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women we are asking for your support of the Egyptian revolution, in its second wave, to move into a peaceful stage and continue our role in building our country and continue playing our role.” The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence are commemorated every year around the world to raise awareness and trigger action on this pervasive human rights violation. During the 16 Days Campaign, which ends on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, individuals and groups around the world call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by through a variety of means. These include, raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels; strengthening local work around violence against women; establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women; providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies; demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women and creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women. This year, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet unveiled a 16 Step Policy Agenda to address the issue. Ending violence against women is one of UN Women's priority areas. Meanwhile, UN Women in Egypt have been promoting through media outlets the 16 concrete policy actions outlined by Bachelet to prevent, protect and provide essential services to end violence against women. These steps include “leadership and sufficient resources, effective laws and the prosecution of perpetrators to end impunity.” Furthermore, it was emphasized that critical to the success of these steps is the strong engagement of men and boys as partners in equality, taking a stand of zero tolerance of violence against women.
