Cablegate: Tunisian Ngo Combatting Violence Against Women

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1563 3411138
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071138Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4195
INFO RUEPGCA/USEUCOM AIDES VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY

UNCLAS TUNIS 001563

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/IWI AND NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS)
EUCOM FOR ECJ4-HA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN NGO COMBATTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

REF: STATE 142614

1. In recognition of the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women (reftel), the
Ambassador and EmbOffs visited the National Union of Tunisian
Woman's (UNFT) Tunis headquarters, women's shelter and
counseling center on December 5. UNFT President Aziza Hatira
and other UNFT officials provided an overview of the
organization's efforts to combat violence against women in
Tunisia.

2. The UNFT, the nation's largest women's organization with
over 150,000 members, operates two shelters (in Tunis and
Sousse) for victims of domestic violence. DOD European
Command (EUCOM) Humanitarian Assistance funded the
establishment of both UNFT centers in the past five years.

3. During the visit, the Ambassador was able to meet with a
number of women who were seeking UNFT assistance, including
temporary lodging and legal and social services. The
Ambassador expressed strong USG support for UNFT's efforts to
combat domestic violence.

4. Post will continue its support for the UNFT and other
organizations working to promote women's rights in Tunisia.
We will also conduct public outreach on this issue, to
include posting information about the UNFT visit on post's
website.

Please visit Embassy Tunis, Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm
GODEC

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