OSCE Mission to Montenegro video calls to stop violence and urges people to react, as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence” campaign

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro joins the global “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence” with a public campaign calling for an end to gender-based violence that includes a TV spot and social media campaign. The 16 days of Activism campaign started on 25 November, on the International Day against Violence against Women, and runs through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

The video is produced in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights to raise public awareness on the prevalence of domestic violence and violence against women and girls. It encourages everyone to take action to prevent and combat gender based violence.

According to the 2019 OSCE-led Survey on Violence against Women, nearly one in five women say they have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, since the age of 15, at the hands of a partner or non-partner. More than three in ten have experienced sexual harassment. The Survey also showed that a quarter agree that violence against women is often provoked by the victim, but such attitudes are slowly changing.

Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights that threatens the security and safety of women and girls around the world. It has long-term consequences for the individuals in their life and for the wider society in which they live. Gender-based violence can take various forms, ranging from psychological, sexual, and economic to physical, and it cuts through all cultural and social barriers.

The Mission and the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights will continue to promote gender equality and advocate unequivocally for a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence.

Violence can be stopped. Let’s stop it. LET’S REACT!