While addressing reporters on women issues, UNIFEM’s Executive Director, Noeleen Heyzer declared to offer 3.5 million dollars grant to 17 countries in order to combat gender-based violence.
She said that the grant would be used to support the implementation of a new law or policy through training by government institutions, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
She added that respective countries would tackle the matter according to its environment as it affects women folk.
According to her,
‘Today 89 countries have adopted legislative provisions that address domestic violence, including 60 states with specific domestic violence laws.’
This year’s trust is the highest to be ever offered by UNIFEM. Last year it was $1.8m and four times more than in 2004.
Since, its existence, it has distributed 13 million dollars to 226 initiatives in more than 100 countries.
In order to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality UNIFEM also aids financial and technical assistance.
