TUNISIAN NGO COMBATTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

UNCLAS TUNIS 001563 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G/IWI AND NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS) EUCOM FOR ECJ4-HA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO TS SUBJECT: TUNISIAN NGO COMBATTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REF: STATE 142614 ¶1. In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (reftel),the Ambassador and EmbOffs visited the National Union of Tunisian Woman's (UNFT) Tunis headquarters, women's shelter and counseling center on December 5. UNFT President Aziza Hatira and other UNFT officials provided an overview of the organization's efforts to combat violence against women in Tunisia. ¶2. The UNFT, the nation's largest women's organization with over 150,000 members, operates two shelters (in Tunis and Sousse) for victims of domestic violence. DOD European Command (EUCOM) Humanitarian Assistance funded the establishment of both UNFT centers in the past five years. ¶3. During the visit, the Ambassador was able to meet with a number of women who were seeking UNFT assistance, including temporary lodging and legal and social services. The Ambassador expressed strong USG support for UNFT's efforts to combat domestic violence. ¶4. Post will continue its support for the UNFT and other organizations working to promote women's rights in Tunisia. We will also conduct public outreach on this issue, to include posting information about the UNFT visit on post's website. Please visit Embassy Tunis, Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm GODEC