[Brussels, 15 November 2012] The EWL on 15 November submitted its statement for the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The CSW has set violence against women and girls (VAWG) as its priority theme for 2013.
In a global context of economic and social crisis, where women and girls are at greater risk of experiencing male violence, the EWL calls on the CSW to be the moment for reiterating the global commitment to put an end to all forms of VAWG. Women’s organisations are expecting UN countries to listen to their voices and expertise and to agree on conclusions building on the existing international human rights instruments while at the same time reinforcing commitments at all levels and providing concrete steps for further action.
Moreover, in a context where women’s rights are under attack at various levels, due to conservatism and antifeminist agendas, it is of crucial importance that UN member states stand for the strongest vision of a global community free from violence against women. Following the failure of CSW to agree on VAWG in 2003 and in 2012, the UN and its member states cannot afford another situation of compromising over women’s human rights and must send a strong and clear sign that we won’t achieve peace until we eliminate all forms of VAWG.
Read EWL’s statement here.
