WUNRN
ABAAD-Resource
Center for Gender Equality, Lebanon
Nation-wide Media Campaign
under the slogan
“Alla
Ysa’eda”… Ma Betsa’eda
(which
reads: Saying “God Helps Her”, Does not Help Her)
16 Days of Activism
Against Gender Violence Campaign 2013
Press release |
Beirut, Dceember 2, 2013
“Alla Ysa’eda…” (may
God Helps Her) Is a sentence we often hear that reflects a very common sentiment
in Lebanon. We frequently hear and see violence against women happening in our
country, in our neighborhood, in our media, and in our own families regardless
of our social status, nationality or sect. Yet, we tend to distance ourselves
from the problem maybe because of a collective feeling that there is nothing
that we can do. Moreover, since addressing the issue of violence against women
is still considered a taboo in our context, we respond to it with passivity; we
place its burden on some higher power expecting God to exert actions, saying
“Allah ysa’eda” (may God Helps Her). We have become so passive to the extent that violence in Lebanon
has become normalized!
Currently, we in Lebanon
find ourselves in a position where we have no cabinet, an inactive parliament,
with politicians who are more concerned with regional politics than with social
problems that are affecting the daily lives of its citizens; such that violence
against women is not considered a priority. The rationale behind this might be
that issues relating to violence are wrongly regarded as ‘just women’s issue’
when they are in fact one of the most important societal concerns, for women
and men alike. This issue is a pressing matter of public health, human rights,
and social justice. And since we can no longer rely on the institutions that we
are supposed to rely on to address these issues; It becomes paramount to be
proactive in addressing this issue ourselves.
This year, for the
international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, ABAAD-
-Resource Center for Gender Equality is launching the nationwide “Alla
Ysa’eda, Ma Betsa’eda” campaign (“God Helps Her”, Does not Help
Her).
This campaign is a call for action to combat violence against women. We are all
concerned and we cannot allow silence to define us. We can no longer afford to
sit by idly while this violence continues. All of us are responsible for, and
capable of, creating a society that is free of violence. We can use our
personal talents and skills to combat this problem. If you’re a teacher, you
can discuss it in the classroom. If you are a musician, compose a song about
it. If you’re on social media, voice your opinion through posts, shares and
comments. Everyone can take part in non-violent protests, to educate ourselves
and those around us, and speak up when we witness Violence Against Women in our
surroundings. Just as several ripples can create a wave, each individual action
can create a movement. We are a strong people who can stand in solidarity and
end the social disease of Violence Against Women in our country. Together we
can build a society where the rights of all are respected and injustice is not
tolerated.
Now is the time. We are
all agents of positive change. In this context Ms. Ghida Anani, the
executive director of ABAAD, states that “it is no longer acceptable to give in
for exclusive solution in addressing violence against women in Lebanon, we
should also always remember that this is a systematic issue with multiple
approaches to solve and it starts with individual initiatives in attending to
and combating any form of violence that women face in our societies.”
The 3 TV commercials
portrays three situations in which Lebanese men and women witness violence
against women in their everyday life and immediate surroundings, however the
overwhelming feelings of perceived helplessness leads them to simply say “Allah
Ysa’eeda” (may God Help Her) and carry on with their lives.
The campaign is composed
of TV and radio commercials in addition to street billboards and unipoles
distributed all over Lebanon. The campaign will be rounded off on the 18th of December in a whole
day activity that is hosted in Metropolis Empire Sofil.
The campaign is being
launched in partnership with the: Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation –SDC, International Medical Corps – IMC, OXFAM, World Vision, Save
the Children, International Rescue Committee – IRC, Norwegian Embassy, Forum
for Development, Culture and Dialogue –FDCD, Norwegian People’s Aid, Committee
for the Follow-up on Women’s Issues, Palestinian Women Humanitarian
Organization, General Union of Palestinian Women and the Lebanese Council To
Resist Violence Against Women.
To view the TV spot: http://www.youtube.com/user/ABAADMENA
Follow our news on
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/abaadmena
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ABAAD-Resource Center for Gender
Equality
Furn Chebbak, Sector 5, 51 Bustani
Street, Najjar Bldg., Ground Floor; P.O.Box: 50-048 Beirut-Lebanon
Tel/Fax: +961 (1) 28 38 20;
+961 (1) 28
38 21 ; Mob (office): +961 (70) 28 38 20 ; Men Center: +961 (71) 28 38 20
Al Dar Emergency Line: +961
76060602
Email: abaad@abaadmena.org; Volunteering: volunteers@abaadmena.org
Web: www.abaadmena.org ; Twitter @abaadmena
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/abaadmena
Register to our YouTube
Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ABAADMENA