Media Advisory
Gloria Steinem in Brussels on 08.06: ending violence against women and girls in Europe
Cover the reality of violence against women and girls.
Interested journalists are invited to contact:
Elvira Buijink, Communications & Media Officer
buijink@womenlobby.org
0032 2 210 04 40
What
The European Women’s Lobby, the largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the European Union, is organising an international conference followed by a demonstration themed “Loud and United to end violence against women and girls.” Globally recognised feminist activist Gloria Steinem will give a final keynote speech, and invite participants to take to the streets of Brussels and march together.
When & Where
Thursday 8 June 2017
Brussels, Belgium
Conference: 14:00 City Hall, Grand Place 8, 1000 Brussels Entrance “l’escalier des Lions.”
Demonstration: 17:00 Mont des Arts, Place de l’Albertine, 1000 Brussels (Facebook event : https://www.facebook.com/events/1967859493432979/)
Why
• 50 women are murdered in Europe every week by their partner or ex-partner.
• 1 in 3 women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15.
• Every second woman is confronted with one or more forms of sexual harassment.
Violence against women and girls has to stop
We resist and keep speaking up, loud and united with activists from Belgium and around Europe.
20 years of lobbying and campaigning
This year, the European Women’s Lobby is marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Observatory is a unique structure that brings together more than 30 experts, professionals, women’s rights defenders, and front-line NGOs activists, from all over Europe. On 8 June we want to give visibility to their tireless work and achievements at the forefront of the fight against VAWG.
Recent action by the European Union
On 11 May 2017, the EU publicly declared its intention to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention. The Istanbul Convention is the common name for a Council of Europe Convention from 2011 aiming at combatting violence against women and domestic violence. It addresses different forms of violence against women, through measures aimed at preventing violence, protecting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators. It is the first legally binding treaty in Europe that criminalises different forms of violence against women. With this declaration, the EU sends the world a message about its commitment to fighting the violation of women’s rights.
Find the Media Advisory in PDF here
Find the full agenda and other information on our website: www.womenlobby.org/Gloria-Steinem-in-Brussels-8-June-2017
