In commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (2016), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World  at the Lebanese American University (LAU), ABAAD Resource Centre for Gender Equality, and UN-Women call on youth in the Arab region to participate in a video competition to raise awareness on violence against women.
 
Youth who wish to participate in the competition should address the question: How would you stop violence against women?
 
The competition targets youth up to 25 years old in the Arab region. They are requested to submit a 30-second video addressing the above-mentioned question in Arabic, English or French.
 
The video should be posted on social media platforms with the following hashtags: #IWSAW #ESCWA #ABAAD #UNWomen #16Days. The winner of the competition will be hosted by a live T.V. show to honor his/her work. Videos can be sent to iwsaw@lau.edu.lb by 25 November 2016 at the latest.
 
In addition to the above activities, ESCWA , in partnership with the three organizations, is planning to hold a panel discussion on estimating the cost of violence against women in the Arab region to be held at the UN-House on 9 December 2016. The discussion will focus on analyzing the importance of estimating the cost of violence against women through highlighting the economic cost on individuals as well as the society at large. The panel will feature participation from researchers and experts from academia, civil society, and international organizations.  
 
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaigns takes place from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.