[Brussels,
29 March 2012] As the European Commission is reflecting on a possible
European-wide awareness-raising campaign to end violence against women in Europe,
the European Women’s Lobby has identified the key conditions for an effective
campaign.
The EWL wants to see a long-term
and well-funded campaign, which is based on a comprehensive definition of
violence against women, targets various groups, includes the Member States,
involves and supports women’s NGOs and is coordinated by an EU Coordinator to
End Violence against Women and Girls.
In order for an EU
awareness-raising campaign on violence against women to demonstrate its EU
added-value, the following seven key conditions need to be at place:
- The
EU action must be based on a clear and comprehensive definition of
violence against women.
- The
EU campaign must convey the messages that violence against women is a
violation of women’s human rights, and is a cause and consequence of the
structural inequality between women and men.
- The
EU campaign should address a variety of targets and develop specific tools
for each target group.
3a. The EU campaign must encourage EU Member States to take action to
eradicate violence against women and commit to the struggle by setting
national targets for the 6Ps.
3b. The EU campaign should provide target groups with concrete proposals
for action and change, taking into account the barriers that some people
might face.
- The
EU campaign should be designed and implemented as a long-term action based
on a coordinated and holistic approach and be coordinated by an EU
Coordinator to end violence against women and girls.
- The
EU campaign must be supported by an additional, specific and sustainable
funding, and should provide financial and other support to awareness
raising activities at national level.
- The
EU action should develop a framework for elaboration and implementation,
comprise a diversity of activities, be evidence-based and involve and
support NGOs.
- The
EU action should convey positive and concrete messages.