Under the slogan “Be kind to women”

The Family Affairs Council, with the participation of a number of government agencies in the Kingdom, is launching the “16 Days to Combat Violence Against Women Campaign”, which is implemented by the Women’s Committee today, Thursday, November 25, 2020, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and will continue until December 10, which coincides with International Human Rights Day.

The “16 Days” campaign aims to spread awareness about the issue of violence and consolidate an enlightened understanding of our cultural values and heritage, as well as shed light on women’s rights and issues related to violence against women, in addition to highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to address and prevent violence against women through all available means, including the activation of international days with the participation of local, Arab and international organizations.

The campaign focuses on the comprehensive empowerment of women and the protection of their social, economic and psychological rights, in addition to stimulating action, strengthening and integrating efforts, and creating a comprehensive social awareness towards the issue of violence against women.

This year’s global campaign is organized under the theme “The World is Orange: Stop Violence Against Women Now!” and focuses on violence against women in its various dimensions rather than a specific form of harm.
To coincide with the campaign, the Family Affairs Council has launched a hashtag #WomenWell.


Dr. Hala bint Mazeed Al-Tuwaijri, Secretary General of the Family Affairs Council, explained that the implementation of the campaign comes within the framework of the Council’s keenness to actively engage in all national and international efforts related to the protection of women, to spread community awareness to eliminate violence against women, fight wrong practices that lead to violence, and provide psychological, societal and economic support for women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


Dr. Hala bint Mazeed Al-Tuwaijri noted that the wise leadership of the Kingdom, may God protect it, pays great attention to women and their empowerment, which was embodied in the statement of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – during the Kingdom’s hosting of the G20 Summit, where he said: “We embarked on an unprecedented reform journey, witnessed by the international community, to empower women and support their participation in national development through this comprehensive approach, noting that women are the source of development for any society, without empowered women it is difficult to reform societies; as women are half of society and the educators of generations. Throughout history, women have proven their prominent and effective role in leading change and decision-making.”


She pointed out that women represent 49% of the total population of the Kingdom, so their participation is essential and effective in sustainable development efforts, as their participation in the economic field reached 33.2%. This came as a result of distinguished efforts in expanding the options for the private sector in employing women, and supporting them in practicing business without discrimination.


Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri pointed out that the Kingdom has taken many steps to promote women’s rights and empowerment, most notably the issuance of the Protection from Abuse Law and its executive regulations, in addition to the operation and development of the Domestic Violence and Child Protection Reporting Center and shelters in various regions of the Kingdom and in cooperation with third sector institutions.


She also pointed out that the Kingdom has been keen to ensure that women are protected from various types of abuse through a series of decisions that have strengthened their judicial rights, including the establishment of reconciliation offices in courts that have contributed to resolving many family issues, the launch of judicial culture exhibitions to educate women about their legal and legal rights, and the establishment of women’s offices in personal status courts to serve women.