WUNRN
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-2081_en.htm
European
Commission - Statement |
Joint
Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women, 25 November 2014
Brussels -
Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Vìra Jourová,
Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality and Neven Mimica,
Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development made the following
statement:
Discrimination
and violence against women continues around the world, in all societies and
regions. Women are harassed, raped, mutilated, beaten or murdered, even in
their own homes. In the EU, one in three women has experienced physical and/or
sexual violence since the age of 15. Outside the EU, girls are prevented from
going to school or forced to marry and sexual violence remains a deplorable and
widely used tactic of war. Women human rights defenders are threatened and
attacked for doing their work.
Combating all
forms of violence against women and girls is a fundamental pillar of the
respect for human or fundamental rights and remains a priority for the EU, both
internally and externally. One year ago, the European Commission and EEAS
jointly adopted the Communication on eliminating female genital mutilation, and
we have continued our efforts in this area. The EU is funding projects
promoting social change and preventing this practice, as well as providing
support to victims and engaging with members of practising communities to
advocate for attitudinal change.
This year marks
the entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and
combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), which represents a very
important instrument to effectively combat violence against women at national
and European levels.
The world will
soon mark the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, and
the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325
on the contribution of Women to Peace and Security. We will review the progress
that we have made in implementing these important instruments and will reflect
on further action.
In 2015 the
European Commission will also formulate a new agenda for development for the
coming years. Gender equality and women’s empowerment, the elimination of all
forms of violence against all women and girls, the elimination of all harmful
practices are a precondition for poverty eradication and sustainable
development. The EU supports gender equality as both a stand-alone goal and its
mainstreaming in the post-2015 framework for poverty reduction and sustainable
development.
We
strongly condemn all forms of violence against women and girls. From today
until Human Rights Day on December 10, all EU Delegations around the world will
also join the call for action of the '16-days of Activism against Gender-Based
Violence' international campaign of the UN Secretary General and will raise
awareness on the issue.
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