Thousands have demonstrated in Australia on Sunday against gender-based violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described domestic violence as a "national crisis." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described domestic violence as a  "national crisis" as thousands of people protested across the country over violence against women. "A national crisis demands a national response," Albanese said on Monday in a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "That's why I'm bringing together National Cabinet on Wednesday morning to take action on violence against women," he added. According to reports, 27 women have died in Australia so far this year allegedly due to acts of gender-based violence. "The fact that ... a woman dies every four days on average at the hand of a partner is just a national crisis," the prime minister told Nine Network television. Protest for stricter laws On Sunday, thousands took part in rallies held in various Australian cities, calling for tougher laws on violence against women. Albanese, his Women's Minister Katy Gallagher and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth were met with a hostile response when they attended a protest in the capital Canberra on Sunday. Demonstrators yelled at the government leaders, "we want action" and "do your job." Albanese said there was a need for more focus on perpetrators and prevention of violence. "We need to change the culture, we need to change attitudes, we need to change the legal system," he said at the rally. On Monday, the prime minister said the rallies were a call to action for all levels of Australian government to do more to prevent the violence. "Women in Australia deserve better, governments have to do better and as a society we have to do better," Albanese said on X.

UNICEF said one of their containers carrying essential supplies was looted by gangs at Haiti's main port. Meanwhile, police seized firearms and cleared roadblocks in an area controlled by a notorious gang leader. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Saturday that one of its 17 aid containers at Haiti's main port was looted. The container was carrying "essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, as well as critical supplies for early childhood development and education, water equipment, and others," the agency said. Haiti is struggling to resolve a long-running political and humanitarian crisis that the children's agency, UNICEF, has warned is causing record hunger and life-threatening malnutrition in parts of the capital Port-au-Prince. One out of every four women is unable to access basic health care and nutrition, the agency said. "Looting of supplies that are essential for life saving support for children must end immediately," said Bruno Maes, UNICEF's Haiti representative, in a statement. Gang violence has spiked throughout the country in recent days.  Police action against gangs Haiti's unelected prime minister, Ariel Henry, said this week he would step down once a transitional council was in place. Heavily armed gangs have taken over much of the capital Port-au-Prince, and rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings and sexual violence. Some hospitals in the city have been forced to close over safety concerns, and only two surgical operating facilities are operational, according to UNICEF. Shortages of electricity, fuel and medical supplies have affected hospitals in other parts of the country as well, with six out of ten facilities not able to function, the agency added. On Saturday, police seized firearms and cleared roadblocks in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood controlled by notorious gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier. The operation left several criminals dead, authorities said. Haiti wracked by gang violence and political instability Law enforcement officials are also attempting to regain control of the capital's main port, which has been shut since March 7 because of the violence.  Haiti's main airport in the capital, meanwhile, remains closed following gang attacks. The US State Department said it would be offering limited charter flights for American citizens from the less chaotic northern city of Cap-Haïtien. But it warned that US citizens should consider the flights "only if you think you can reach Cap-Haïtien airport safely." Haitians have been on edge in recent days awaiting the naming of a transitional governing body meant to restore stability to the impoverished country, wracked by gang violence and left largely isolated from the outside world. The establishment of a transitional council is supported by the Caribbean regional body CARICOM, the United Nations and the United States.  

The UN has warned that pregnant women and those who survived sexual assault could face healthcare challenges as gang attacks paralyze the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Some 3,000 pregnant women in Haiti's capital could be cut off from essential healthcare if the ongoing security crisis continues, with gang violence surging as armed gangs control most of Port-au-Prince. "If greater Port-au-Prince remains at a standstill in the coming weeks, almost 3,000 pregnant women could be denied access to essential health care," the UN's office in Haiti (BINUH) said in a statement on Friday. Abortion is illegal in Haiti. Hospitals have issued warnings regarding staff, bed and blood shortages. What did the UN say? The office also warned that almost 450 women could face life-threatening obstetric complications if they do not receive medical assistance. Meanwhile, over 500 sexual violence survivors are at risk of being cut off from medical care by late March. "Sexual violence against women and girls is used as a weapon of war, intimidation, territorial control and domination," BINUH said. UN's Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ulrika Richardson added that many women and girls were "victims of indiscriminate violence committed by armed gangs." "Fighting to stop violence against women in Haiti and investing in them is indispensable for ensuring a just, prosperous and peaceful society," she added. The UN office said partner organizations who work on preventing gender violence in camps for internally displaced people had cut or halted most of their services, citing safety reasons. Gangs are reported to be carrying out mass rapes across the country, with their control expanding. Many victims do not report the attacks, fearing retaliation. What is happening in Haiti? Haiti's government announced on Thursday the extension of a state of emergency and nighttime curfew in an effort to curb the gang violence which has engulfed the capital. The state of emergency was extended by one month. Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Kenya last week to lobby for UN-backed police deployment in his country. Henry is now reportedly stuck in Puerto Rico, unable to return home. Violence has spiraled in the Caribbean nation in his absence, with the gangs demanding his resignation.   Last weekend, inmates from two major prisons in Haiti escaped in a prison break, resulting in the country announcing the state of emergency. The decree was signed by Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who is the acting president. "Our goal is to break the system. We are fighting against Ariel with the last drop of our blood," said gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer who vowed to oust Henry, said. The United Nations estimates that 1,193 people have died since the beginning of the year due to gang violence. Over 313,000 people are also internally displaced in Haiti. In addition to widespread accounts of rape, there have also been many reports of torture and ransom kidnappings.   

Locals in southern Syria have been protesting peacefully for months now, despite their government's brutal crackdown. But last week, for the first time, a demonstrator was killed. Locals in the southwestern Syrian city of Sweida have been demonstrating against their government since mid-August last year and up until last week, the protests had been peaceful. They had included art exhibitions and cultural shows. Demonstrators regularly cleaned up afterwards and even served food to local police. And despite the fact that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons on its own people, detained and tortured thousands, and is seen as responsible for nearly half a million dead and millions more Syrians displaced, government security forces had not acted against Sweida's protesters. But last week, after security forces fired their guns during a protest outside a government office, one local man, Jawad al-Barouki, 52, died and another was badly injured. "In Sweida, we are well aware that bullets are the regime's preferred method," Lubna Albassit, one of the protesters in the province, said when asked if people were more frightened about protesting now. "We know it was waiting for our movement to fade away. But as the demonstrations have gone on, it began to try and intimidate us." But it won't work, a determined Albassit continued. "These bullets will not frighten us. We already knew that we'd have to face their bullets at some stage — even just for protesting peacefully. " New wave of violence against peaceful protesters? The protests in Sweida were sparked by economic dissatisfaction, and high petrol prices in particular, but have evolved into something more political. Protesters in Sweida say they want the same thing as the Syrians who originally demonstrated in the 2011 revolution that turned into a bloody civil war did: The end of the regime headed by Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. But observers don't think Assad will act  the same way in Sweida as he did elsewhere. "The regime's betting that the movement will eventually fade out," said Fadel Abdul Ghany, head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, or SNHR, a Netherlands-based monitor of human rights violations. "Sure, there are protesters on the street requesting democratic change. But this is still just a local movement and the regime, which is reading the room very carefully, doesn't think an escalation would benefit it." "Given the very bloody history of the [Assad] regime and all the crimes we know it has committed, at some point in the future it could grow impatient and decide to move," added Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, policy chief of the American Coalition for Syria based in Washington. "However I don't think the incident last week necessarily portends more violence."  There are a number of reasons for that, he told DW. One revolves around the message the Sweida protests are sending. "These protests have been incredibly important because they've struck a blow at the heart of one of the regime's long standing narratives, that it is a champion and protector of minorities in Syria," Alaa Ghanem explained. For years, the Assad government claimed pro-democracy protesters were Islamist extremists who would turn on the country's minorities if they ever came to power. But the protests in Sweida, a province that is home to much of Syria's Druze minority, refute that. "We are seeing one of the largest minorities in Syria coming out and saying this guy has to go, his rule has been disastrous," Alaa Ghanem continued. "That's why the regime has been careful not to employ the same violent tactics it has consistently applied elsewhere." The Assad government also has to consider how moving openly against the Druze community would look, given a current trend for other Arab nations to start to normalize with Assad again after isolating Syria for years during the civil war. What the protests have achieved Despite being a comparatively small and localized movement, the Sweida protests have been effective in many ways. There's not been a single day in the past seven months that central Karama (Dignity) square in Sweida has not been occupied, Alaa Ghanem noted. The protesters have managed to close the offices of Assad's political party in their province, turning them into schools, clinics and community centers. They have also formed unions and other groups. Women have taken a leading role in the Sweida protests It's even been suggested that Sweida could become an autonomous area, ruling itself semi-independently of the Syrian government. It might "resemble the other southern regions — Daraa and Quneitra — because the situation is quite similar," Rayan Maarouf, editor-in-chief of the local media network Suwayda 24, told online publication Syria Direct late last year. "[There] security authority is absent, its presence a formality. People demonstrate and the local community plays a bigger role in governance," the journalist noted. "People here feel that they have been left to face their fate alone and have been betrayed by many," Louay Hadifa, an activist involved in the Suwayda protests, told DW. "We will remain affiliated with Syria but we may want to follow the example of federal countries such as Germany or the US." It is unclear how many protesters in Sweida agree with that idea. Albassit, for one, doesn't, seeing it as a way for Assad to remain in power. "We want a homeland for all Syrians. The Syrian revolution was and will remain a voice for every Syrian," she argued. No matter what happens next, the Sweida protests remain "a source of hope for the Syrian fight for freedom, reminding the world why Syrians began protesting 13 years ago " Afraa Hashem, an activist with The Syria Campaign, confirms. They show that "the Syrian revolution is far from over. … they are about justice and a better future for Syria."   

Actress Judith Godreche, a leading figure in France's #MeToo movement, received a standing ovation at the Cesar Awards after calling for the French film industry to "face the truth" about sexual violence. At the Cesar Awards in Paris on Friday, French actress Judith Godreche denounced the French film industry's "level of impunity, denial and privilege" in dealing with allegations of rampant sexual abuse.  A leading figure in France's #MeToo movement, Godreche had been invited to speak at France's version of the Oscars, after actresses alleged they were teenage victims of sexual abuse by directors.  Godreche has accused directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually assaulting her while she was a teenager.  "Why accept that this art that we love so much, this art that binds us together, is used as a cover for illicit trafficking of young girls?" she said. "We can decide that men accused of rape no longer rule the [French] cinema." "Is it possible that we are able to face the truth?" the actress questioned. "With the same moral strength that we use to be creative, let's have the courage to say out loud what we know quietly," she said.    A #MeToo moment for French cinema   Hours before the award ceremony commenced, France's culture minister Rachida Dati deplored French cinema for  "collectively turning a blind eye for decades" to sexual violence, and hailed Godreche's courage for speaking out.  "This should be the beginning of profound soul searching for French cinema," Dati said in an interview with  the French flim magazine "Le Film Francais." Actress and director Valerie Lemercier, who presided over the ceremony, raised the issue in her opening remarks. "I will not leave this stage without praising those who are shaking up the habits and customs of a very old world where the bodies of some were implicitly at the disposal of the bodies of others," she said. The first award of the night went to Adele Exarchopoulos for best supporting actress in "All Your Faces" in which she plays a victim of incest. Justine Triet, who became just the second woman to win the best director in the award's 49-year-old history, dedicated her win to women who have been abused.  Outside the ceremony's venue, protestors led demonstrations at the call of the national labor union to support victims of sexual violence.  Recent sex abuse allegations Godreche, 51, recently accused Jacquot — 25 years her senior — of raping and abusing her during a six-year-long relationship that started when she was 14. She said the relationship was marred by violence, confinement and control as if she had "joined a cult."  Godreche, 51, has claimed that Doillon, 79, sexually assaulted her when she was a 15 year old actress in a film he directed.  Earlier this month, she filed a formal complaint with prosecutors. Both the directors have denied the allegations.  

Dhaka, November 30, 2023 – Global community marks 16 days of Activism each year between 25 November to (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) 10 December (Human Rights Day) to end violence against women and girls. In this Regard, on Thursday, Plan International Bangladesh has arranged a Round Table Dialogue (RTD) session during 16 Days of Activism where the respective Ambassadors, CEO as well as the girls with whom this year’s Girl’s Take over took place joined the session at Canada Club. The purpose of this RTD session was to celebrate the incredible potential of girls and amplify voices to protect and support young girl activists. Also, to learn practical experiences from the girls to create impact and reinforce the rights of girl child with an urge to increase investments for girls both nationally and globally.  Canadian Ambassador to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls said that, ensuring gender equality is an ongoing battle all over the world.  Advocacy with legislative body is essential to create mass awareness. Community based approach has to be implemented in the communities and families to break stereotypes and bring powerful change in the society.  Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde mentioned that, gender equality means looking at women and girls as an asset. Until now, child marriage is the most severe form of gender-based violence. We believe that, girls and women are the master of their own life. We have started to work on policy level to update the laws to mitigate this issue.  British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said that, in order to achieve the full potential, it is pertinent for a girl to receive complete 12 years of education. It is also important to include boys as well. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable. We all need to work together at all levels to change the social norms that exist in the society and find possibilities for women and girls to flourish.  Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yasir Azman said that, Surface level conversation is not enough. This discussion session will help us to update our modality of work that can bring gender balance within the system. However, we cannot work alone. Grameen phone is working with organizations like Plan International Bangladesh and providing training to students at school level to empower and inspire young girls by giving them a unique opportunity to step into leadership roles and gain insights into various industries. Canadian Ambassador to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls; Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde; British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke; Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yasir Azman and our take over girls of this year-Sanjana, Shawpna, Priti, Shampa, Taslima, Poly, Maleka, Boishakhi, Runa, Shila, Halima were present as panelists in the session. Kabita Bose, Country Director, Plan International Bangladesh moderated the whole sessions. Nishath Sultana, Director - Policy, Advocacy, Influencing and Campaigns, Plan International Bangladesh delivered welcome remarks on the arrival of the distinguished guests. On the occasion, the girls discussed about the daily obstacles that girls face in their community such as- early marriage issue, girls’ education especially on drop out cases, gender-based violence and pointed out the challenges they face from Bangladesh’s patriarchal society and how they have fought back against stereotypes and social norms. They also proposed areas where they require investment for the girls to create a positive impact to foster gender inclusion in their community. They also shared their take over experience of this year. The dialogue session opened windows to understand the real and emerging challenges that girls are facing in their home and communities that hinders their progress. Through the session some practical and sustainable solutions of the problems came out. Plan International Bangladesh believes that this dialogue will inspire girls to amplify their voices and make them more confident for bringing greater changes in their own lives and communities.

Protest rallies were held in many cities across the world to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Thousands of people in cities across the world rallied on Saturday to condemn violence against women on the occassion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Many major cities across Europe and the Americas saw a big turnout of protesters. "The scourge of gender-based violence continues to inflict pain and injustice on too many," US President Joe Biden said in a statement. "We know what is at stake: whenever and wherever women and girls are under threat, so too is peace and stability," he added. Violence against women in spotlight In Italy, some 50,000 people demonstrated in Rome, according to the AGI news agency.  Violence against women in the country has been in the spotlight since the murder of a 22-year-old university student, Giulia Cecchettin, allegedly by her former boyfriend.  The case has gripped Italy, sparking protests across the country where on average one woman is killed every three days. "We have united also in the name of Giulia, because her story struck us, and I hope it will change something," Aurora Arleo, a 24-year-old student, who went to the demonstration from Ladispoli, a town close to Rome said. Protests in Americas and other parts of Europe In Guatemala, people demonstrated by placing candles to write out 438 — the number of women killed in the country so far this year. Meanwhile, in Chile, protesters carried photos of victims as they marched in Santiago. Protesters in France gathered on streets wearing purple, the colour of women and gender equality carrying placards that read: "One rape every six minutes in France" and "Protect your girls, educate your boys."

The United States has condemned the political violence in Dhaka. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu in a statement, "We call for calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions," said  The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist and the burning of a hospital are unacceptable, he said in a statement on Saturday night. The US also said violence against civilians, including journalists, is unacceptable.

US President Joe Biden has announced setting up a new office to prevent gun violence, under the leadership of Vice President Kamala Harris, as the pair prepare for next year's presidential race. The federal office would be dedicated towards finding solutions and supporting communities suffering from shooting incidents. Biden announced it from the White House Rose Garden, alongside lawmakers and families of gun violence victims. What did Biden and Harris say? Both Biden and Harris referred to the recurring demand for government to "do something" after every mass shooting. "My administration has been working relentlessly to do something," Biden said, describing shootings as the "ultimate superstorm." Harris meanwhile said in a statement announcing the new office that the US is "torn apart" by gun violence, stressing that "we do not have a moment to spare nor a life to spare." "We know true freedom is not possible if people are not safe," Harris said.  The vice president, who formerly served as a prosecutor, has said that while gun violence affects all communities, communities of color are often more likely to suffer from it. What can the new office achieve? The office's launch is unlikely to have a strong impact on the issue of gun violence, as the White House has no unilateral power to limit gun use in a meaningful way. Any ban on assault weapons would need to come from the Republican-controlled Congress. Biden's presidential campaign is hoping efforts to enforce gun control could attract younger voters in the 2024 election. The Associated Press has counted at least 35 mass killings in the US so far this year, killing at least 171 (excluding the shooters), in a database maintained jointly with USA Today and Northeastern University.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Bangladesh to investigate any report of violence thoroughly, transparently, and impartially, and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account. In a regular briefing in Washington on July 17, Matthew Miller told that on assaulting Ashraful Alam, widely known as 'Hero Alam' during the Dhaka-17 by-polls yesterday. Miller also said, "We they would expect the government of Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections and continue to monitor it closely.” He said, "I would say that this type of political violence has no place in democratic elections," Meanwhile, UN in Bangladesh expressed concern over attack on Hero Alam.