Combatting violence against women: EU must show leadership
The ALDE Party, Press Release, January 23, 2014
One in four women has been a victim of violence, domestic abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, genital mutilation or other sexual violence in the EU yet there is still no comprehensive EU-strategy to prevent violence against women (VAW), despite it being a European wide problem. Antonyia Parvanova (NMSP,Bulgaria) today received cross-party support for her call for the European Commission to submit, by the end of this year, an action plan aimed at combating all forms of violence against women, including trafficking against women.
Parvanova, who has been campaigning for years for EU action in the fight against VAW, says: “Violence against women is a universal problem. Every woman, no matter where, what age, culture or religion, can become a victim of violence. In the EU alone, seven women die each day because of violence. One in four women has been a victim of violence, domestic abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, genital mutilation or other sexual violence.”
The economic cost of violence against women in the EU in 2011 is according to the European Added Value Assessment estimated at 228 billion euros per year, including 45 billion euros for services, 24 billion euros in lost economic output and 159 billion euros on pain and suffering. The costs of preventive measures are substantially lower than the cost of violence.
“Progress has been slow and insufficient despite major advances in elaborating international standards. But problems in the implementation remain. That’s why EU leadership is needed more than ever. The EU should help to ensure that a life free from violence becomes a reality for all women in the EU. “
The report on combating Violence against Women was adopted today by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender equality. The plenary vote will follow in March.
This year’s theme of International Women’s Day on March 8th is the fight against Violence Against Women.
Posted: January 24th, 2014 under The ALDE party.