Every year, on November 25^th, the international movement for women's rights recalls that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations with no country being spared from this scourge.

VAWG is rooted in the historically, systemic, and structurally unequal power relations between women and men that keep women and girls in inferior position. It is both a cause and consequence of VAWG, which on its part is a major barrier to women´s participation in decision making at all levels. According to the Regional Guidelines for the Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPSA)[1] developed by EuroMed Feminist Initiative, VAWG is closely linked with peace and security as “The subordinated position of women and their marginalization in times of peace, place them in an even more vulnerable situation during war, military conflict, and occupation. Women find themselves trapped and denied economic resources, opportunities, and services” (p. 9).

The continuous violence, the ongoing instability and armed conflicts in the euro-Mediterranean region, notably the on-going armed attacks by Israel on Gasa and recently on Lebanon exacerbate existing inequalities and place women and girls at increased risk of violence, displacement, and economic hardship.