Project in Qobb Elias on challenging violence against women

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day (December 10th) and the 16 days campaign to resist gender based violence, the “together for development” NGO organized last Tuesday in partnership with the UNFPA and in collaboration with the Qobb Elias municipality, the closing ceremony of their “Skills for Learning” project.  The event was attended by several key figures and included an address by the president of the “Together for Development Association” Nawal Mdallali.  Mdallali  noted that the “all are responsible for upholding human rights”.  She also added that each person should be responsible for stepping in and defending every person who is at risk of violence or discrimination.  Mdallali further reiterated that Lebanon should abolish all forms of discrimination against women and respect international conventions to that effect.  For her part, the coordinator of UNFPA’s Gender Based Violence Programme, Sonia Elias, noted that this project targeted the youth as they are an important element for change especially since they possess the capacity to educate their peers and families on the importance of combating gender based violence.  The celebration included a theatre production by young women and men.  The play highlighted key issues such as gender based violence, forced child marriages, drug abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases.  A documentary on the work of the trainees was also projected in addition to the delivery of certificates to the participants in the project. (Al Mustaqbal 14 December  2016)