Kafa launches its new campaign “towards different forms of masculinity” and 20% of sexual violence is against wives || Newspapers (Arabic)

Kafa Violence and Exploitation launched, in partnership with Oxfam GB and the European Union a new campaign entitled “towards different forms of masculinity”.  The Campaign seeks to strengthen work with men and boys to combat violence against women.  The director of Kafa, Zoya Rouhana, called for a “critical review of common views regarding masculinity and femininity which are in contradictions with the principles of human rights”.  Rouhana considered that such views are harmful to women and society and tend to mold men in archaic social models.
The launch included video clips featuring actor and theater director Badih Abou Chacra and calling for different views of masculinity in our societies.  This was followed by a short documentary featuring the activities of the organization in Baalbak.  Subsequently, trophies were presented to MPs Jean Jinijian, Michel Helou and Nabil Nicolas and Brigadier Ashraf Rifi, actor and director Badih Abou Chacra and soccer player Ziad Samad for their support to the campaign.
Within the same vein, the Lebanese Society for Psychiatry released a study on the occasion of the International Day for Mental Health.  The study focused on sexual aggression against women, Dr. Sami Quawwas noted in the conference organized for that occasion that 9% of women victims of sexual violence are migrant domestic workers whilst 20% of sexual aggression are perpetrated by husbands against their wives.  This is particularly dramatic since the Lebanese law does not criminalize sexual aggressions perpetrated by husbands.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Akhbar 27 November 2012