Funfair for a cause
UNHCR hosts ‘16 Days Of Activism’, an awareness programme to eliminate violence against women.
ISLAMABAD:
Women rights and violence against women have been issues raising concerns among activists and humanists around the globe. From domestic level to the state level, gender based violence is menacingly present and has a dire effect on the physical and psychological health of the victims.
The UNHCR is making a marked effort for creating awareness regarding such forms of violence.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of ‘16 Days Of Activism’, an awareness program launched by the UNHCR to eliminate violence against women. Each year the campaign starts on the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women and continues on for 16 days. Even though all genders and ages are subjected to this particular kind of violence, women and young girls remain the most affected group.
This year the UNHCR commemorates the 16 Days of Activism under the theme of ‘Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence against Women.’
With technological advancements on the rise and the world being an oyster for warfare, a lot of violence takes place in refugee camps. “Unfortunately violence against women and girls persist in every society in one form or the other.
The denial of the right to education and choices, forced and early marriages, physical and sexual assaults and victimisation are just a few items on a long list,” said Mengesha Kebede, the UNHCR Representative in Pakistan.
UNHCR together with its partner organisation SACH will be holding a wide range of activities over these 16 days, including a fun-fair, a seminar, a workshop and several radio broadcasts.
The partners hosted a kickoff one-day funfair at the Fatima Jinnah Park in F/9 to commemorate this journey against gender based violence. Inviting various refugee schools and embassies to set up their stalls, educating the people of Islamabad regarding different cultures and women activities in other parts of the world, the funfair not only entertained the attendees but also educated them regarding UN’s cause.
From jewellery stalls to organisations selling handicrafts from different countries, the fair was a cultural sight to see. Even though it wasn’t crowded with people, those in attendance roamed around in support of the cause.
Somalia and Afghanistan attracted the most people due to their colourful and ethnic get up. Children and adults alike were dressed in their national attire welcoming the guests to their respective stalls, showing handicrafts and telling tales from their native countries.
Gandhara Public School and ISSC were also actively present selling delectable treats and helping younger girls with Henna tattoos. Refugee children presented a staged performance on gender based violence and some victims spoke passionately about their experiences. Similarly, In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, UNHCR and its implementing partners are also organising interactive workshops, seminars, theatre plays, focus group discussions and many more activities in support of the campaign. Organisers and counselors are to go to actual refugee camps and create awareness to reduce violence against women in military camps.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2010.
Women rights and violence against women have been issues raising concerns among activists and humanists around the globe. From domestic level to the state level, gender based violence is menacingly present and has a dire effect on the physical and psychological health of the victims.
The UNHCR is making a marked effort for creating awareness regarding such forms of violence.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of ‘16 Days Of Activism’, an awareness program launched by the UNHCR to eliminate violence against women. Each year the campaign starts on the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women and continues on for 16 days. Even though all genders and ages are subjected to this particular kind of violence, women and young girls remain the most affected group.
This year the UNHCR commemorates the 16 Days of Activism under the theme of ‘Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence against Women.’
With technological advancements on the rise and the world being an oyster for warfare, a lot of violence takes place in refugee camps. “Unfortunately violence against women and girls persist in every society in one form or the other.
The denial of the right to education and choices, forced and early marriages, physical and sexual assaults and victimisation are just a few items on a long list,” said Mengesha Kebede, the UNHCR Representative in Pakistan.
UNHCR together with its partner organisation SACH will be holding a wide range of activities over these 16 days, including a fun-fair, a seminar, a workshop and several radio broadcasts.
The partners hosted a kickoff one-day funfair at the Fatima Jinnah Park in F/9 to commemorate this journey against gender based violence. Inviting various refugee schools and embassies to set up their stalls, educating the people of Islamabad regarding different cultures and women activities in other parts of the world, the funfair not only entertained the attendees but also educated them regarding UN’s cause.
From jewellery stalls to organisations selling handicrafts from different countries, the fair was a cultural sight to see. Even though it wasn’t crowded with people, those in attendance roamed around in support of the cause.
Somalia and Afghanistan attracted the most people due to their colourful and ethnic get up. Children and adults alike were dressed in their national attire welcoming the guests to their respective stalls, showing handicrafts and telling tales from their native countries.
Gandhara Public School and ISSC were also actively present selling delectable treats and helping younger girls with Henna tattoos. Refugee children presented a staged performance on gender based violence and some victims spoke passionately about their experiences. Similarly, In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, UNHCR and its implementing partners are also organising interactive workshops, seminars, theatre plays, focus group discussions and many more activities in support of the campaign. Organisers and counselors are to go to actual refugee camps and create awareness to reduce violence against women in military camps.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2010.