Brussels, 23/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission should develop an action plan to combat violence against women, particularly as, this year, International Women's Day (8March) will focus on this theme. That the political groups at the European Parliament are giving their support to this demand is borne out by the draft report by Antoniya Parvanova (ALDE, Bulgaria) and adopted on Thursday 23 January by the parliamentary women's rights committee.
Violence against women occurs throughout Europe. One woman in four on the continent has already been a victim of domestic abuse, rape, sexual exploitation or genital mutilation. The rapporteur pointed out that “every woman, no matter where, what age, culture or religion, can become a victim of violence. In the EU alone, seven women die each day because of violence”. Currently, however, there is no European strategy to combat this problem, which costs society €228 billion according to a 2011 study. The rapporteur also affirmed that “EU leadership is needed more than ever. The EU should help to ensure that a life free from violence becomes a reality for all women in the EU”. The call from MEPs to develop an action plan in this area is expected to be adopted during the March plenary session. (MD/transl.fl)