21/03/2012 Equality and Non-Discrimination
“Girls victims of rape should be assisted and protected; the last thing that could help them overcome their trauma is being forced to marry the man who raped them” said today Fatiha Saïdi, Rapporteur on ‘Equality between women and men: a condition for the success of the Arab Spring’, referring to the recent suicide of a young girl in Morocco.
“In my report, I point out that violence against women must be addressed as a priority by the Arab Spring countries, including Morocco and Tunisia, and that an in-depth work of legislative revision is necessary to tackle it.”
On 20 March 2012, the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination unanimously approved Ms Saidi’s report on Equality between Women and Men: a condition for the success of the Arab spring. The Assembly will hold a debate on this report on 24 April 2012.
Prior to the debate, a hearing will take place on Women’s perspectives on the Arab Spring, with the participation of women from Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen who have taken part directly in the protest movements.