Mongolian Women’s Federation

In November 2018,  the Mongolian Women’s Federation held  a special election due to increased demand for change. I was humbled and honored to be elected as the new President for this historic organization. This comes with great responsibility to be a breath of fresh air for all aspects that address empowerment of women in Mongolia.

Although fundamental rights of women are protected by the national Law to Combat Domestic Violence as well as International Conventions, domestic violence is still the leading cause of violations of the basic rights of the Mongolian women and children. Our new team kicked off the New Year as a year of combating domestic violence and declared 2019 as “Zero Tolerance on All Forms of Violence against Women and Children”. Unfortunately 2018 was the darkest year in the history of Mongolian children safety. Not one or two but a great number of cruel and inhumane cases of child sexual abuse were reported back-to-back and have shocked the entire nation. Mongolian mothers united and organized marches  to demand the Government to protect our children by tough and effective law enforcement against these horrific crimes. In spite of progress in legislation, the enforcement has failed due to insufficient training, low public awareness and lack of harmonization.

We have amplified our roles in child protection and intensified efforts to tackle the root causes of gender based violence. Needless to say, that no one organization can achieve lasting social change alone. In view of this, the Mongolian Women’s Federation calls for all public and private sectors, civil society groups, activists and individuals, at home and abroad, to join us in the best interest of our children and women and for the prosperity of our country.

While we all co-exist under one sky, sharing one planet, in the era of globalization, we embrace the world with diversity. As we are coming closer to the juncture of the pivotal year for the 25th Anniversary of “The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, it becomes more crucial than before to accelerate the implementation of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

It is time to unite our resources, knowledge and expertise “For a Better and Brighter Future”!

Women rights issues are not just issues of an individual or a nation; it is the priority of Humankind!

 

OYUNGEREL BATNASAN
President, Mongolian Women’s Federation, Editor – in Chief, “The Mongolian Women”
 

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