16-day activism campaign :16-day campaign to eliminate violence against women

A ceremony to commemorate the 16-day campaign to eliminate violence against women, organized by the Department of Social Welfare, was held at the Community Centre in Taunggyi on Friday under the theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls”.

The ceremony was attended by Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Zaw Aye and his wife and other concerned officials as well as invited guests.

In his remark, the Chief Minister said that the period from 25th November to 10th December is a period for 16 days activism to eliminate violence against women and the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) commenced its very first 16-day activism campaign in a global scale to eliminate gender-based violence in 1991.

According to the 2023 global census, there are approximately 736 million women who are victims of violence in various ways out of the 4.031 billion women in the world. And, Myanmar has signed the (UNCEDAW - United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and it is necessary to implement laws on protecting women against violence, he added. He urged all to make concerted efforts in various sectors to ensure easy access to necessary services for victims and lead to the elimination of violence against women.

And, the wife of the Chief Minister and the Patron of the Shan State Women's Committee gave a welcome speech, saying that in 1996, the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was launched as the Myanmar Women's Affair's Federation (MWAF) to carry out social activities in various regions and states, in cooperation with the Maternal and Child Welfare Association and its relevant departments. The Shan State Women's Committee warmly welcomes new organizations and look forward to collaborative efforts for regional development, community benefit, women empowerment, security and gender equality.

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Then, they enjoyed a video clip commemorating the prevention of violence against women and viewed around the community center. The wife of Chief Minister and the wife of the Commander of Eastern Command presented memorable gifts to the children and cash of honor to officials from the community center and Department of Social Welfare.