UNITED NATIONS — Experts and officials gathered on for a two-day conference titled "Sexual Harassment as Social Violence and its Impact on Women in the Arab Region" on 13 and 14 December, aiming to tackle issues relating to sexual violence as experienced in the MENA region.

The conference, which included women leaders from 16 Arab counties, in addition to international experts, aimed at understanding sexual violence as a form of social violence and how it impedes women’s participation in the public space. Participants exchanged experiences from the MENA region on ways of addressing and combating sexual violence and consolidating efforts, improving coordination and fostering collaboration between countries in the region. Such discussions sought to reinforce law as a tool for social change.

The conference addressed the issue of sexual harassment from three dimensions: social, legal and civil society, and media. It touched upon notions and forms of social violence, how to combat sexual harassment without restricting women’s mobility and participation, and how to enforce relevant legislation. The conference also addressed the roles of civil society and media in combating sexual harassment.

Many countries in the Arab region have taken legal steps towards combating sexual harassment, and accordingly legislation has been formulated and laws issued. However, gaps in legislation and enforcement mechanisms still exist, which, in addition to the surrounding social culture, hinder the achievement of the total abolishment of all forms of violence against women.