Paris, 25 November 2025 – The Mediterranean Center for Peace and Security (CMPS) joins the international community in marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign calling for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. This global initiative, from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, serves as a reminder that gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive and entrenched human rights violations worldwide.
Across the Mediterranean, GBV continues to affect women and girls of all backgrounds, with disproportionate impacts on migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, and those living in contexts of conflict, insecurity, or social exclusion. Survivors continue to face significant obstacles in accessing justice, protection, and essential services. The persistence of GBV undermines peacebuilding efforts, exacerbates inequalities, and obstructs the realisation of sustainable development and social cohesion.
The CMPS reaffirms its commitment to advancing gender equality and combating GBV through research, advocacy, and partnership-building. Our work is guided by the belief that preventing and responding to GBV is not only a human rights obligation, but also a core pillar of sustainable peace and inclusive security.
The CMPS works to combat GBV across the Mediterranean by conducting and disseminating evidence-based research on its links with security, conflicts, and New and Emerging technologies ; advocating for stronger national and regional policies that prioritise prevention, protection, accountability, and survivor-centred responses; promoting gender-responsive peace and security frameworks, including the Women, Peace and Security agenda; supporting capacity-building efforts with civil society, academia, youth groups, and public institutions to reinforce community resilience; and fostering regional dialogue and cooperation to ensure coordinated, rights-based, and inclusive approaches.
As we observe these 16 days, the CMPS calls on governments, regional organisations, civil society, and international partners to:
- Strengthen prevention efforts and address the root causes of GBV, including harmful gender norms and structural inequalities.
- Ensure accessible, confidential, and quality services for survivors, including legal aid, psychosocial support, health services, and safe shelters.
- Enhance accountability mechanisms to combat impunity for perpetrators.
- Integrate gender perspectives into all areas of public policy, particularly migration governance, climate security, digital safety, peacebuilding, and humanitarian response.
- Invest in education, youth empowerment, and community engagement to foster long-term cultural and behavioural change.
Ending gender-based violence requires sustained commitment, solidarity, and collective action. The CMPS stands alongside survivors, advocates, and organisations across the Mediterranean who work tirelessly to prevent violence and promote gender justice.
During these 16 days—and beyond—we reaffirm our determination to contribute to a Mediterranean region where all individuals can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear, and where gender equality is fully realised.
Contact: secretariat@cmps-med.org