AKIPRESS.COM - The OSCE Office in Tajikistan jointly with the Tajik Parliament on Dedember 10 launched a public campaign, Men Engage to Combat Violence against Women – White Wristband Commitment, as a part of the international campaign 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The white wristbands were delivered to prominent men in Tajikistan as a sign of their commitment to combat violence against women and never be silent about it.

“The President of our country, distinguished Emomali Rahmon, dedicated one of his first decrees on improving the status of women in the society and recognized as a priority the issue of eliminating the violence against women and children,” said Hairiniso Yusufi, Vice Speaker of the lower house of Tajik Parliament. “The Tajikistan Parliament pays special attention to the issue of preventing violence in the family and in March 2013 the Parliament adopted a Law on Prevention of Domestic violence.”

“By receiving the White Wristband Commitment, as a symbol of the global White Ribbon campaign, prominent political and public figures in Tajikistan become part of the OSCE-supported network that is engaging men and boys in preventing and combating violence against women,” said Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “We hope that their dedication will contribute to eliminating the stereotypes and prejudices that women face that make them vulnerable and subject to various forms of violence.”

The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys in over 60 countries to end male violence against women and girls. It was formed by a group of men in Canada in 1991 as a response to the killing of 14 female students.