Joint Statement on the Occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Refugee women like Najaa from Syria are skilled and talented. Given the right opportunities they can become more independent, meet the needs of their families and contribute to the host communities. © UNHCR Cyprus / Sebastian Rich

On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we wish to underscore the structural and social inequalities faced by millions of persons worldwide. On this particular day, we recall that deprivation of economic and social rights, exclusion, discrimination and insecurity disproportionately affect women, especially forcibly displaced women who, having lost their social support networks, are rendered at risk of destitution, exploitation and abuse.

Refugee women bring with them a wealth of knowledge and skills and have a lot to contribute to the host societies. We are therefore taking this opportunity to call on the authorities to consider the special challenges faced by asylum-seeking and refugee women and take concrete measures to ensure their equal access to employment opportunities and social support schemes.

Eradicating poverty is about preserving human dignity:  Let’s all join forces to combat poverty, and promote and protect human rights, leaving no one behind.

Members of the Platform of Communication on Protecting Refugee and Asylum-seeking Women from Violence:

– Advisory Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in the Family
– Association for the Prevention and Handling of Domestic Violence
– CARITAS Cyprus
– Cyprus Family Planning Association
– Cyprus Refugee Council
– Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies
– National Coordinating Body on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women
– UNHCR Cyprus

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