Brussels, 25/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission does not intend to present a directive specifically on the fight against violence against women, as called for by the European Parliament. Commissioner Vera Jourova will hold her present post until 2020 and stated “It will take several years before we can have a text. It is because of this that I would prefer to speak of other instruments. I believe it is more efficient to invest available funds in awareness campaigns, organisational support and the training of experts, etc.”. She added that “perpetrating violence is criminal behaviour and it is up to the member states to use their competences in the area of criminal law”. This statement was made on Wednesday 25 November during the International Day against Gender-Based Violence, which follows an oral question from MEPs meeting in the plenary session.
In response to other questions from MEPs, the Commissioner indicated that she had published a roadmap on the possible accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention on 9 October and intended to put forward her strategy for equality between men and women in mid-December.
The European unions (ETUC, EFJ/FEJ, EFFAT, EPSU, UNI, ETF and the ETUCE) published a joint statement at the event reiterating their commitment to fighting violence against women, “until this is eradicated, whether this is in the workplace or at home”. ETUC indicated that it would be launching its European “Safe at Home Safe at Work” project soon, which would examine the strategies that will help the unions manage and prevent harassment and violence against women in the workplace. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)