ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia - Today, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Government of Mongolia and the National Centre Against Violence jointly launched the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).” This annual campaign was held in conjunction with an art exhibit by painter and activist X. Ariunzaya.
Tomorrow, November 25th, marks the first day of the 16 Days Campaign and International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Campaign will last until December 10th which marks the Human Rights Day. This global campaign seeks to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world and recognize that violence against women and girls is a human rights violation.
In Mongolia, under the campaign theme, ‘Open Your Eyes’, UNFPA and its partners are working to draw attention and open the public’s eyes to the high rates of sexual and physical violence against women and girls.
Ariunzaya’s exhibition, ‘Open your eyes – the naked truth!’, is a call to action for all Mongolians to speak out and put an end violence against women and girls wherever it is found.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries.
Gender-based violence undermines the health, dignity, security, and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence since many people see it as a private matter, normalizing the issue.
“To date, as you all have seen, there have been serious sexual and physical violence against women and girls, causing public outrage,” said Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative.
“Even with all the attention given to these cases in the public, too many victims are being silenced or too afraid and traumatised to speak out, report, and seek help.”
The Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 5, aims at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres by 2030 and to invest in services to support victims and survivors.
Yet, despite the extensive work done by women’s organizations, governments, and other partners, many women and girls who are subjected to violence still lack access to essential services that support their safety, health, social support, police protection and access to justice.
To respond to these needs, UNFPA and the Government of Mongolia, with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, will establish ten new and additional ‘One-Stop-Service-Centers’ for survivors of domestic or gender-based violence. Three will be established in Ulaanbaatar (three locations) and one in Darkhan, Khentii, Umnugovi, Bayan-Ulgii, Uyurkhangai, Dornod and Huvsgal aimags.
These Centers provide accessible legal, health, psycho-social and police services to victims of violence under one roof. It prevents the survivor from having to travel to multiple sites to seek different kinds of help. Last year, 1,814 victims/survivors used the UNFPA supported OSSCs and shelters.
In the coming 16 days, UNFPA calls on ALL partners in government, civil society, the media and individuals to renew their commitments to eliminate violence against women and girls in Mongolia.
To get help
NACV Hotline - 6490505
Police - 102-107, 108
Support survivors through donations
Donations will help women and their children get back on their feet.
Donate here: http://unfpa-mn.org/
Contact
For media or donation inquiries, please contact Tim Jenkins, UNFPA Communications and Partnerships Officer. Telephone: 8011-0366; e-mail: jenkins@unfpa.org
