The event held at the Norwegian Ambassador’s Residence, marked the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence Campaign, underscoring the imperative to address and eradicate violence against women and girls
DNA
ISLAMABAD – UN Women, in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Pakistan, successfully hosted an event “#KoiJawaazNahi: Step Up For Gender Equality to acknowledge and celebrate the champions of gender equality and women empowerment. The event held at the Norwegian Ambassador’s Residence, marked the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence Campaign, underscoring the imperative to address and eradicate violence against women and girls.
The event aimed to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable campaign and progress made in fulfilling pledges and commitments towards gender equality. By bringing together key stakeholders, influencers, and advocates, the gathering sought to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and inspire collective action.
Dr Noor Khan – Acting Head of Mission in her welcome note said, “The #KoiJawaazNahi event serves as a testament to the collective determination to create a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence and discrimination. It is crucial to recognize the strides we have made while reinforcing our commitment to addressing the challenges that persist.”
While addressing the audiences, Sharmeela Rassool the Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, “On this day of celebrating the remarkable pledges made in 2023 for gender equality and women empowerment, let us reaffirm our dedication to dismantling barriers. Achieving gender equality is a shared responsibility—let’s rise to the occasion by challenging stereotypes, fostering inclusion, and empowering each and every individual”.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international civil society-led annual campaign. It commences from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.
As a crucial component of its ongoing commitment to advance Sustainable Development Goal 5, UN Women launched the #StepUpForGenderEquality social media campaign on International Women’s Day. During this initiative, UN Women actively gathered commitments and pledges from leaders across diverse sectors to participate in the #StepUpForGenderEquality challenge. The aim was to encourage leaders to take proactive steps in support of gender equality and inspire others, including change-makers and individuals, to exhibit collective leadership in addressing this vital cause.
