The Netherlands is
in the first half of 2016 President of the European Union (EU2016NL). Out of the draft EU Statement at the 60th
session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women by minister (and feminist) Jet
Bussemaker “The EU welcomes the
commitments to gender equality, empowerment of all women and girls and the full
realization of their human rights taken with the 2030 Agenda, including the Addis
Ababa Action Agenda … We also applaud the inclusion of violence against women
and girls in the 2030 agenda …The elimination of violence against women is a
prerequisite for sustainable development … It is now time to implement what we
promised … We need to fully implement SDG 5. We need to fully implement a
gender equality perspective into all goals. Targets and indicators across the
Agenda …For the EU, it’s of paramount importance to strengthen civil society
organizations’ role as advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment in
the 2030 Agenda…”
Combating violence against women in EU
A. prevention
A. prevention
Violence against
women (VAW) is the most widespread violation of women’s human rights: one out
of three women is a victim of sexual and/or physical violence in the EU. VAW is
both a cause and a consequence of gender equality. The most unsafe place for
women and girls is at home. Small arms like knives (which are classified as
small arms), pistols and rifles are easy to buy and conceal. They give a sense
of power to a partner, ex-partner, family member or acquaintance and are great
threats to the safety of women and girls. Preventive measure saves states and
civil society a great deal of money! Note 1
B. ratify Istanbul Convention
The European
Commission has proposed for the EU to ratify the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention
to fight violence against women. Link to press-release http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-549_en.htm The Istanbul Convention is the most comprehensive international treaty on combatting violence against women. ‘’At 8 march 2016 12 EU Member
States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) had already ratified the Convention. ‘’ Note
2
Nice to know too the European Commission wants to dedicate the year 2017 to ending violence against women. Note 3 Banning of small arms must be part of this European Year on Combating Violence Against Women too!
Nice to know too the European Commission wants to dedicate the year 2017 to ending violence against women. Note 3 Banning of small arms must be part of this European Year on Combating Violence Against Women too!
Notes
1. Out of text of the
adopted IAW emergency motion at EWL General Assembly 2015.05.31 http://womenalliance.org/banning-of-small-arms-must-be-part-of-european-year-on-combating-violence-against-women
2. EWL welcomes the European Commission proposal for the EU to access the Istanbul Convention 2016.03.08 Please read more information at http://www.womenlobby.org/EWL-welcomes-the-European-Commission-proposal-for-the-EU-to-access-the-Istanbul?lang=en 2016.04.27 26 EU Member States have signed the Istanbul Convention http://www.womenlobby.org/26-EU-MS-have-signed-the-Istanbul-Convention-Will-Latvia-and-Czech-Republic-be?lang=en
3. http://www.womenlobby.org/EWL-and-EU-Commissioner-Jourova-share-opportunities-for-women-s-rights-in?lang=en 2016.02.11
Arina Angerman is living in Amsterdam and is representing IAW in Board of European Women's Lobby (EWL). Content of this blog is her contribution to digital Newsletter - April 2016 of International Alliance of Women.
Arina Angerman is an Activist, Blogger and Consultant. Please read additional information at website Social Media 4 Boomers (in Dutch).
