Impact of Violence against Women on the Family

It was organized by DIFI in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs from November 19-20, 2008 in Doha, Qatar. It coincided with the UN’s March 2008 launch of a multiyear campaign to end violence against women that aimed to strengthen political commitments and enhance efforts at all levels to end such violence as well as find specific answers to this issue. At this occasion, the Secretary General of the UN presented an in-depth study on violence against women that included key finding and recommendations. Guided by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and inspired by beliefs on better educating and strengthening the family as a basic unit of society, DIFI organized the first event in the Middle East and North Africa after the launch of the UN campaign. During the colloquium, UN representatives, academicians, jurists, and experts from Arab regional organizations and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met with the goals of (1) raising awareness on the nature, extent, and causes of violence against women in the region and worldwide; (2) collaborating among different stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers international organizations, and civil society, particularly NGOs, in order to exchange information and best practices and provide effective and efficient responses; and (3) supporting an innovative and integrated approach as well as social and legislative actions.