Europe must become a zero-tolerance zone for gender-based violence
European Socialist Party (PES) Women are calling for an end to violence against women through a new campaign to make Europe a zero-tolerance zone for gender-based violence.
PES Women and its national affiliates are committed to fighting for a Europe in which everyone, regardless of gender, can live a non-violent life. That’s why PES women are launching their latest campaign around the International Day Against Violence Against Women today with the slogan “Crossing the Border – Zero Tolerance of Gender-Based Violence”.
PES Women Chair Zita Gurmai said:
“One in three women worldwide, about 736 million, has been physically or sexually abused in their lifetime. We say that’s enough. , especially in the wake of the increase in violence during the pandemic, which is why prevention is so important in prosecuting perpetrators and protecting victims and survivors.
“Together as progressive European feminists, we are calling for stronger ambition to make Europe a zone of zero tolerance. The EU must ratify the Istanbul Treaty as soon as possible. There is no time to waste! PES Women is also calling for more ambitious EU legislation as a Union for equality, we will make the fight against gender-based violence a legal and economic priority at all levels of government.
“We have the political will to make progress, but ending violence against women can only be achieved through joint efforts, leadership and action from the highest political level to concrete local implementation that benefits women and girls in all walks of life.”
To visualize the campaign, PES Women has produced a specially designed barrier strip reminiscent of a police case tape. The aim is to raise awareness of the shadow pandemic of domestic and intimate partner violence and feminicide. The tape and slogan promote prevention, drawing attention to the fact that when police are present, it is often too late. The tape has been sent to PES member parties and allies for use in local activities, demonstrations offline or online around 25 November, during the 16 days of UN action against gender-based violence (25 November to 10 December 2021). throughout the rest of the year.
There has been a need for national action Zensky Forum SD, The Slovenian Social Democratic Party Women’s Association, as well as other PES Women’s member organizations and other progressive – e.g. Iratxe Garcia Perez, President of the S&D, Member of the European Parliament, Adriana Maldonado Member of the European Parliament, César Luena Member of the European Parliament, Alícia Homs, Member of the European Parliament, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Member of the European Parliament, Margarida Marques, Member of the European Parliament, Marianne Vind Member of the European Parliament, Thijs Reuten MEP, Josianne Cutajar Member of the European Parliament, Bring forward Fred Matic MEP, Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament, YEAH and Solidar – have shown their support. Visit PES Women on Twitter to see a campaign video and follow all day to see more support from the PES political family.
As part of the campaign, PES Women has published a manifesto – Zero Tolerance Zone: Europe free from gender-based violence – calls for this to be achieved on the basis of three pillars: a strong legal framework, adequate funding and a change in mindset.
Source: European Socialist Party