Awareness Sessions on Gender-Based Violence for Women in Lebanon
Together towards Achieving Gender Equality
Within the framework of working to reduce violence against women and achieve gender equality, the Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches, implemented, during the last month of March, several awareness sessions on gender-based violence, in which 6 groups of 15 women attended. The sessions were held at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese and at Our Lady Dispensary affiliated to MECC, in the Sabtieh region.
Since the International Women's Day theme for this year is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, the sessions focused on the importance of gender equality and the necessity to fight gender-based violence. It also aimed to empower and support women and remind them that they are, such as men, an essential pillar in the development and prosperity of societies, while stressing the need to respect them, preserve their human rights and dignity.
Noting that violating their freedom can limit their capability to be productive, whereas encouraging them can lead to outstanding results. During the sessions, the participants were, hence, taught about the different forms of gender-based violence and how to handle them.
After all, the bible cherishes women, “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3: 15).
