WUNRN
European Women's Lobby - EWL
Direct Link to Full 14-Page Report:
EU - NEW STUDY ESTIMATES THE
ECONOMIC COST OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AT 228 BILLION EUROS PER YEAR
MEP Antonyia Paravanova has
presented the Legislative Initiative Report "Combating Violence Against
Women" at the European Parliament FEMM Committee (EP Committee on Women's
Rights & Gender Equality).
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This Report was accompanied by an
Assessment of the European Added Value Unite at the European Parliament. This
study advocates for more action at EU level as it would contribute to provide
better and more uniform protection to women and ensure legal certainty
throughout the EU. It would also enhance the coherence of EU action and will
contribute to eliminating the considerable financial burden that affects women
and puts an economic burden on Member states economies. The study estimates
that the economic annual cost of violence against women amounted to 228 billion
euros.
It is a shocking figure if
compares to the total budget of the Daphne III annual programme for 2013 is
18,5 million euros.
Having analysed the regulatory
options, this study concludes that improving the existing EU legal framework is
challenging but feasible. According to the study, it could encompass a
combination of legislative and non-legislative measures.
Drawing on this assessment study,
the EP report "Combating Violence against Women" of MEP Parvanova
requests the Commission to present an EU-wide Strategy and an Action Plan to
combat violence against women. It also calls on the Commission to promote
national ratifications and launch the procedure for the accession of the EU to
the Istanbul Convention on violence against women. It urges the Commission to
establish an EU Year to End Violence against Women.
Finally, the report asks the
Council to activate the passerelle clause, by adopting a unanimous decision
identifying gender based violence (including FGM) as an area of crime listed in
Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The European Women’s Lobby very
much welcome the initiative and the report of Ms. Parvanova. A modern European
Union needs the eradication of all forms of male violence against women. The
fight against all forms of violence against women has to be intrinsically
linked to the commitment made by the European Union and all its
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