On November 26, The “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence” campaign in Uzbekistan kicked-off with a high-level meeting to discuss Uzbekistan's experience in addressing women's issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, from both government agencies and civil society institutions.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. 

The COVID since its outbreak not only overwhelmed health care systems and destabilized economies, but also it has had a devastating social and economic consequences for women and girls, thus deepening pre-existing inequalities in societies across the globe.

The country is also witnessing a growing domestic violence due to the COVID-19. The economic hardships caused income and job losses in most families thus increasing the rate of domestic violence against women and girls. Based on the statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs overall 8,431 Protection orders were issued during 10 months’ period from January to October 2020.  Based on the latest report of the Republican rehabilitation and adaptation center for GBV survivors, as of 1 November 115 women and children are placed in the rehabilitation centers nationwide. A national hotline on GBV with a short number #1146 was launched on October 27, 2020. By 09 November 219 women called to the hotline with appeals related on gender based violence issues.

Objectives of the event were: 
-    Share experience of national mitigation measures: good practices, challenges and further actions;
-    Share various CSOs’ experience to respond to GBV;
-    Raise awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts on the importance of the campaign and share knowledge on prevention and addressing the violence against women both with the focus on general public and national partners.

Participants of the event were  UN agencies, International organizations, such as ACTED in Uzbekistan, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan; Donor organizations, Commission for Gender Equality, Ministries, Rehabilitation and adaptation Centers, NGOs, activists, Youth Advisory Board, Civil society organizations,Media