EUPOL COPPS oranges against Gender Based Violence!

On 25 of November 2016, As part of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, EUPOL COPPS takes action by joining the campaign #orangetheworld. The color orange is symbolizing a brighter future and a world free from violence against women and girls, which is fully in line with fundamental values on human rights and gender equality of the European Union. The campaign begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

One in three women around the world experience violence in their lifetime, often by someone they know and trust. Of all women who were victims of homicide globally in 2012, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members. Worldwide, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children (below 18 years of age). Of those women, more than 1 in 3—or some 250 million—were married before 15.

Almost half of West Bank women and more than 75% women in the Gaza Strip are declaring having been psychologically abused; 17% in the West Bank and 35% in the Gaza Strip physically abused, according to UN reports.

EUPOL COPPS is actively working against gender based violence through its technical advisory capacity for example by supporting the Family Protection Units, the drafting of legislation on domestic violence and through delivering trainings for prosecutors and judges on gender based violence. The mission also supports the work of the established gender units at PCP, MoI and MoJ.

This year EUPOL COPPS is also joining the ‘White Ribbon’ campaign. Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, staff members will wear ‘white ribbons’ signifying a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

You can also join the 16 Days of Activism Campaign and say NO to violence against women and girls! #orangetheworld