WOMAN FOR WOMEN OSMTH: Commitment and Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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On September 26, 2026, in Belgrade, the WOMAN FOR WOMEN OSMTH Initiative hosted a round table aimed at addressing gender-based violence, promoting human rights, and turning awareness into concrete action.

Throughout the event, panel discussions and a Krav Maga self-defense demonstration were held. Key insights were also shared regarding legislative harmonization, psychological trauma, and the violence endured by women in the Middle East.

Representation of GP Argentina

DCTJ María Laura ARENAS, representing GP Argentina, delivered a presentation on domestic and gender-based violence in the region, underscoring the severity and persistence of this issue.

In her presentation, she noted that domestic violence continues to be an alarming reality across regional countries, as evidenced by numerous formal complaints and cases recorded each year, as well as deaths linked to gender-based and domestic violence.

She also emphasized the importance of interpreting statistics with caution, taking into account differences in definitions and data collection methodologies across countries, as well as the widespread underreporting that characterizes this problem.

One of the central focuses of her address was the link between domestic violence and its most extreme consequence: the loss of human lives. In this context, she highlighted the need to strengthen early detection, protective measures, and access to justice, as well as to improve regional statistical systems to secure more reliable, comparable data that can support the design of effective public policies.

In her closing reflections, she stressed that statistics are not merely numbers: they represent real people and situations of violence requiring concrete solutions. Understanding the true magnitude of the issue is vital to improving prevention, reinforcing protection mechanisms, and moving toward a society free from violence.

Commitment to Change

The event concluded with a joint declaration of commitment to change, reaffirming the collective responsibility to transform awareness into action and uphold women’s rights across the globe.

Speakers

Presentations were delivered by:

Dr. Ivana ALKALAY.
Miranda SPIES, Secretary of the Initiative and Co-Leader of the Women for Women OSMTH Initiative team, GP Ireland.
Rita CARVALHO, Leader of the Women for Women OSMTH Initiative team, GP Portugal.
Antonio CARDOSO, Chancellor of GP Portugal.
María Laura ARENAS, Representative of the Women for Women OSMTH Initiative, GP Argentina.
Anna POPOVA, Advocate General of OSMTH and Leader of the International Women for Women OSMTH Initiative team.

Moderator:

Sonja SAVOVIC, GP Serbia.

The initiative thereby reaffirms its commitment to defending human rights, preventing gender-based violence, and building a safer, fairer future for all women.

Because behind every statistic lies a life, a story, and a right that must be protected.

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