Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Geneva hosts a discussion to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
On 29 November, the Permanent Missions of Lithuania and Israel, together with the United Nations Refugee Agency, the UN Women, and the World Health Organization, held a discussion in Geneva on health implications of sexual and gender-based violence on survivors.
Kristina Mišinienė, Head of Lithuanian Centre Against Human Trafficking and Exploitation, presented the project implemented in Lithuania „Rape is a war crime“, which aims to raise awareness of gender-based violence in conflict zones, to help victims of sexual violence and to increase accountability for war crimes. The medical, psychological, legal aid and support provided to victims of Russian crimes in Ukraine were presented.
Yael Sherer, Founder and Executive Director of the Israeli Sexual Assault Victims' Advocacy Group, and Dr. Gaya Gamhewage, Director of the World Health Organization's Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Prevention and Response Unit, also spoke at the event, sharing their insights and the solutions being taken to help survivors of sexual violence. The discussion was introduced by the Permanent Representatives of Lithuania, Israel and the U.S. in Geneva Mr. Darius Staniulis, Ms. Meirav Eilon Shahar, Ms. Michèle Taylor, the Head of the UN Women Office in Geneva, Ms. Adriana Quiñones, and moderated by the UNHCR's Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Ms. Kelly T. Clements.
According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner. This has serious short- and long-term consequences for physical, mental and reproductive health.
The event, which was also sponsored by the Permanent Missions of the Czech Republic, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Honduras and India, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November.
Social media