HUMAN ACCESS in the governorates of Hadhramaut, Shabwa and Marib continues to implement the activities of the 16-day campaign to combat gender-based violence under the slogan "Unite", as part of the protection and livelihood support project’s activities "Safe Space for Women and Girls", with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In this regard, a psychological support session was organized for a number of women in Hadhramaut within the partnership and collaboration with the Psychosocial Support Center at Al-Shihr General Hospital and Daoud Al-Jilani Development Foundation.

The session, titled "Know Your Worth", dealt with the concept of self-esteem and appreciation, positive feelings, and how to overcome negative feelings.

During the 16-day campaign, Radio Mukalla featured an in-depth discussion of the importance of psychological and social support for survivors of gender-based violence, the role of activities in educating women about their rights, and the importance of addressing violence as a human rights issue.

An awareness seminar was held at a school headquarters in the city of Ataq, Shabwa, in the presence of a number of beneficiaries, focusing on the reasons for violence against women and how it is linked to customs and traditions, as well as the importance of raising awareness to protect women’s rights.

An awareness lecture was also held targeting more than 100 students from Arwa School for Girls, which focused on the importance of involving women in economic and social development.

An entertainment day was organized for children by the safe space for women and girls in Wadi Marib. This included a variety of recreational activities aimed at developing the children’s talents and abilities.

It also held an open day for women and girls, which included a number of entertainment and educational activities and programs, the most important of which is a drawing competition, under the slogan "Draw me a beautiful drawing that makes you happy."

In Al-Rawda neighborhood and Al-Mil camps in Marib, activities of the entertainment and awareness day were revived, which included a set of educational, cultural, recreational and purposeful sections.

In Al-Jufaina camp, the safe space organized a community awareness session, attended by 24 women, to introduce the 16-day campaign and its link to the rights of women and girls.

The safe space for women and girls in the city of Marib held a symposium titled "Gender Justice in Development, Opportunities and Resources - Reality and Hope". The presented working papers dealt with manifestations and causes of discrimination against women in the areas of social and economic life, the right to legal protection, and gaps in the social and economic role.

The symposium participants, who were accompanied by a number of local officials, emphasized the need to address and overcome a prevailing culture in society which presents a false image of women, the importance of promoting social and political awareness about women and girls, and the importance of dealing with challenges that limit their role in all aspects of life for women and girls.

In Marib complex, the safe space for women and girls delivered economic empowerment grants to ten women who benefited from two training courses in the fields of sewing and hairdressing.

The grants included tools and requirements necessary to operate the profession, allowing women to live in dignity and be protected from violence.