Eliminate violence against women, say members of the European Parliament
[Brussels, 07 February 2013, EP Press Service] MEPs support the UN structures fighting to put an end to all types of gender-based violence, inequalities and discrimination in the world. They call on the European Commission and the Member States to increase their efforts domestically.
All forms of violence against women and girls need to be tackled, underline MEPs in their resolution voted this Wednesday 6/02. The oral question was debated with Commissioner Viviane Reding on Monday 4/02 evening in preparation to the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Status of Women (UN CSW) that will take place in March 2013.
Key priority for addressing violence against women and girls should be the elimination of discriminatory sociocultural attitudes that reinforce gender inequalities and discrimination and tolerate violence both in the private and public spheres. MEPs hope for more developed international legal norms and policies. The EU and its Member States must also step up its efforts to fight gender-based violence domestically and abroad.
MEPs call on the Commission to propose an EU strategy against violence against women including a directive with minimum standards. Member States should ratify the Council of Europe Convention dedicated to violence against women and domestic violence. They ask for a special attention from the External action service in its actions and dialogues with third countries. Increased financial support at all levels to support actors that work to end violence against women like NGOs would help, they say.
Source: press release from EP Press Service
