The Anti-Violence against Women Unit in Ain Shams University held a training workshop for legal counselors and lawyers in collaboration with the National Council for Women and UNFPA on addressing violence against women on February 28.

The interactive workshop was held under the auspices of the President of Ain Shams University Dr. Mahmoud Al-Meteiny, and was led by the Anti-Violence against Women Unit led by Dr. Hind El-Helaly.

Judge Ahmed Al-Naggar, President of the Court of Appeal and legal expert at the Anti-Violence against Women coordination unit at the National Council for Women in partnership with UNFPA, presented the legislative framework to receive and address cases of violence against women, gender-based discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment on or off campus.

Al-Naggar also discussed the most prevalent crimes conducted against women and introduced the United Nations approach and definitions pertaining to violence against women.  

He also discussed with participants the penalties set against violence against women crimes, and clarified the difference between misdemeanors and felonies and their penalties. He also presented a law on bullying, its penalties and definition in Egyptian law.

In her welcome note, Dr. El-Helaly relayed the mechanism and the legal structure of the Anti-Violence against Women Unit and its coordination with other specialized entities.

Ain Shams University in collaboration with the National Council for Women and UNFPA, gives special attention to the capacity building needs for on-campus staff through regular training programs, workshops and discussions. Efforts focus on creating cadres of trained professionals able to address, report and investigate cases of violence against women and ensure a safe educational environment inside the university.

There are currently 25 Anti-Violence against Women Units across 25 universities.