PRESS RELEASE

CAUCASUS 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE 2001

Friday 14th September 2001, Yerevan, Armenia.

In 2000 WomenAid introduced the 16 Days of Activism and the White Ribbon campaign to the Caucasus and established the first nationally coordinated '16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence' in the region. WomenAid International-Caucasus, acting as the focal point, supported the establishment of a Georgian coordination committee of NGOs.  A broad range of activities and events were promoted and organized between the 25th November to the 10th December 2000. The outstanding success of the first Caucasus 16 Days coordinated campaign was the elaboration and signing by over 70 representatives from the Georgian government, UN agencies, international and local non-governmental organisations of a Joint Declaration Against Gender Violence.

Following the successful pilot activities undertaken in Georgia, WomenAid International has also initiated and established National Coordination Committees in both Azerbaijan and Armenia.

On 14th September 2001 in Yerevan, representatives from 20 Armenian NGOs founded the Armenian National Coordination Committee for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The meeting was addressed by Pida Ripley, Founder WomenAid International, and staff from the Caucasus 16 Days Focal Point, WomenAid International-Caucasus.

Support for the Caucasus 16 Days regional campaign for 2001 is being received from the Open Society Institute Network Women's Program and Network Media Program with additional funding support from WomenAid International.

Non-governmental organizations and interested individuals from all sectors of civil society in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are invited to participate in the Caucasus 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2001.

For further information please contact the Caucasus 16 Days 2001 regional Focal Point:

WomenAid International-Caucasus:

17 Khvichia St. Tbilisi 380060 Georgia Tel/Fax: (995 32) 37 92 70

Email#1: waigeo@access.sanet.ge

Email#2: caucasus16days@womenaid.org

CIS 16 Days

© Copyright WomenAid International 2001

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