“Being a refugee is a consequence of violence”

“16 days of activism against gender violence” is an international campaign which launches on November 25^th and lasts until December 10^th– International Human Rights Day. It is aimed at reducing violence against women and girls around the world. The Armenian Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees has traditionally participated in the 16-day campaign, considering the fact of being a refugee as a manifestation of violence. The office delivered this message on November 18^th, organizing an exhibition with participation of Syrian-Armenian women.

-16-day campaign against gender-based violence makes to stop and think about the harsh reality in different parts of the globe, – said the spokesman of UN High Commissioner of the Refugees in Armenia Christophe Biervirte,  addressing the participants of the opening ceremony, – Any kind of violence is a sign of weakness. One of the consequences of violence is a refugee status. And one of the ways is to help refugee displaced women, making them active, giving them opportunity to express themselves, Solving the employment issue will not only increase their self-esteem, but also will ensure income, which is so necessary “to correct the spine” of families in a refugee status.

Full text in Armenian