The Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and the Forum of Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAPPD) held a committee meeting on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on 30 January in Beirut, Lebanon. This meeting was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Japan Trust Fund (JTF), and in cooperation with International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Lebanese national committee on population and development, and the Lebanese Bar Association.

It was reported that GBV was increasing at an alarming rate due to the economic crisis, instability, conflict and COVID-19 pandemic. Members of Parliament, including Hon. Pierre Bou Assi, President of FAPPD, lawyers, judges, General Directorate of General Security, academics, and civil society organizations participated and spoke about their experiences in responding to GBV. Parliamentarians emphasized the importance of legislation to punish and eliminate GBV and called upon partners, such as APDA, to continuously address these issues in the Arab region, including in Lebanon. The event was attended by more than 70 participants and was covered by 4 national TV channels and radio stations.

■Inter Press Service (IPS)
Gender Central to Parliamentarians’ Programme of Action