Women organise a solidarity sit-in by the UN House to condemn terrorist acts against women in Arab countries

A number of Lebanese, Syrian and Iraqi women and their children organized a sit in by the UN House to express their solidarity with women in Syria and Iraq and to condemn various forms of terrorism and violence against them.  Activists were also present at the sit-in which raised a warning regarding the undermining of women and against all fundamentalist and extremist groups which continue to violate women’s rights and dignity.  The sit-in was called for by the Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises.  It included statements by Iraqi women who had arrived to Lebanon just some 10 days ago and who spoke about the suffering caused by fundamentalist groups including rapes, murder, FGM and trafficking.  Manar Zeaiter, member of RDFL, spoke about sexual violence and the fact that fundamentalist groups are subjecting women to rape, forced marriage, traffic and FGMM on a daily basis whilst it is impossible to accurately document these abuses.  As such, and given this level of violence against women, Zeaiter noted women had to act in the name of solidarity, and say no to violence.  Zeaiter also called on the international community and on public institutions all over the world to act seriously to stop funding fundamentalist groups and halt the long term repercussions of armed conflicts on women and ensure that the protection of women in armed conflict is on the agenda of all conferences, plans and strategies.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 10 September 2014