TIRANA – UNICEF and UN Women are very concerned by the recent news of another case of sexual violence against an adolescent girl, according to a joint statement by the offices of these two organizations located in Tirana.
“Sexual violence committed against anyone is a crime, but are very concerned about the intensity with which it affects women, young girls and children. This constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights, and bears long-term devastating impact on the victims and their surroundings,” said the joint statement released on Tuesday.
Further on they called on Albanian institutions to fully investigate such crimes, establishing a culture of zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse. According to them, women and girls must feel safe in the spaces where they learn, live and play.
“We also call on the media to stop reporting details on the identity of survivors and their families. Public information and communication should help eradicate the culture of sexual violence, and use its power to fully support survivors, not perpetrators. Most importantly, we call upon all society to not turn its back on those who were affected by this violence, to stop blaming them, and to stand against abuse. There is no justification, no excuse, no tolerance to rape!” said the joint statement.
Acknowledging Albania’s significant gains in protecting children from violence,
UNICEF and UN Women in Albania say the so far achievements must not be reversed, and they pledge to continue to support the work of public institutions and civil society organizations to promote a safe environment for women and girls, where they feel empowered to live safely and are supported when needed, with sex offenders systematically reported and brought to justice./argumentum.al