Capitalizing on the success of the Festival to Combat Violence Against Women organized since 2008 in the West Bank, UNIFEM (part of UN women), UNRWA, OHCHR and the Amal Coalition to Combat Violence Against Women are joining forces, within the framework of the 16-Day of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, on the eve of International Human Rights Day, to organize the first Central Festival To Combat Violence Against Women in the Gaza Strip. 

Designed as an artistic event, the event will propose a wide range of performances and activities to raise the audience awareness of violence against women as a public issue and a violation of human rights.

Mr. John Ging, Head of UNRWA operations in the Gaza Strip, will open the Festival.  Organized under the slogan "Break the Silence", the event will feature the exhibition Photos by Women for Women – Documenting Women’s Lives in the Gaza Strip – 2010 (www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=850Palestinian); Palestinian traditional dance (dabkeh); lute musicians; theatre performance; hip-hop music and film screening.

A young and dynamic audience as well as grassroots communities coming from all over the Gaza Strip are expected to attend the Festival.