It comes as part of the UNFPA’s and the ministry’s efforts to prioritize the needs of women/girls and put an end to sexual harassment, the UNFPA said in a statement. “We’re launching this initiative to teach and train women to defend themselves against gender-based violence.”The initiative targets women aged 18-35 and will include 5-day training workshops, after which participants will receive certificates. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. On June 4, 2014, a new law was passed which criminalizes sexual harassment for the first time in modern Egyptian history. According to the law, verbal, physical, behavioral, phone and online sexual harassment attract a prison sentence of six months to five years, and up to LE50,000 in fines.

Source: Egypt Independent October 31, 2020 11:15 UTC