UNFPA, in collaboration with the National Council for Human Rights, held a workshop on "Legal Provisions and Proposed Legislation to Combat all forms of Violence Against Women" at the council's headquarters on June 24. The workshop was chaired by Ambassador Moushira Khattab, President of the Council, with the participation of representatives from various ministries and entities including the National Council for Women, Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution, the Parliament, the Senate, and civil society organizations.

The primary objective of the workshop was to discuss the comprehensive draft law to combat all forms of violence against women and propose necessary legal provisions to protect their rights, particularly in light of national priorities as well as the national and international commitments.

This workshop is part of a broader series of policy advocacy activities planned by UNFPA in collaboration with NCHR with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aimed at addressing the multifaceted issue of violence against women and proposing effective legal frameworks to safeguard their rights.

In her speech, Ambassador Moushira Khattab, stressed the critical importance of combating violence against women and lauded the Egyptian leadership's efforts in this domain. She highlighted the strategic national plan for human rights, which includes combating violence against women as a key component. Emphasizing the need for a unified comprehensive law to protect women's rights, she called for cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Germaine Haddad, UNFPA Representative in Egypt a.i., expressed her appreciation for the partnership with the National Council for Human Rights and reiterated UNFPA's commitment to supporting national efforts against gender-based violence. She highlighted recent legislative advancements and the importance of ongoing efforts to address gaps and challenges, particularly in the areas of domestic violence and support for women with special needs.

The workshop underscored the necessity of a comprehensive legislative framework to combat all forms of violence against women in Egypt. It highlighted the importance of collaboration among governmental bodies, civil society, and international organizations to create effective legal protections and support systems for women facing violence. The insights and recommendations from this workshop will contribute to ongoing efforts to draft and implement robust laws to protect women's rights and eliminate all forms of violence against them.