Violence against women is a complex problem and there is no strategy that will deal with it in all situations. All strategies and policies should be defined within a comprehensive and integrated approach and should take into account partnership with different stakeholders, Family, Local Community, Civil Society, State and International Organizations.

The launch in March 2008 by the Secretary of the United Nations of a multi-year (until 2005) campaign to end violence against women will certainly contribute to strengthen political commitments and to enhance efforts at all levels to prevent and end violence as well as to find specific answers to this issue. At this occasion, the Secretary General of the UN has presented a depth study on violence against women that included key finding and recommendations.

Guided by the Vision of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned and inspired by Her Orientation on better educating and strengthening the Family as a basic unit of the society, the Supreme Council for family affairs and the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) are contributing to this campaign by organizing a Colloquium on the impact of violence against women on the family which is one of the first events, after the launching of the campaign of the UNSG, in the Middle East and the region.

During two days, High Representatives from United Nations, Specialized Agencies, Professors, Jurists, Experts from Arab and Regional organizations and regional and international Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) will:

• Contribute to raise awareness on the nature extent and causes of Violence against Women in the Region and Worldwide;
• Build collaboration among different stakeholders including, policy makers, researchers international organizations and civil society particularly NGOs in order to exchange information and best practices and provide effective and efficient responses;
• Support innovative and integrated approach as well as social and legislative actions.