Debate on violence against women: We need to act now

Too many women are still the victim of violence. A plenary debate on this was held on 25 November to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In a resolution adopted in February 2014, MEPs asked the European Commission to submit a proposal for a legislative act on combating violence against women. During the debate MEPs questioned gender equality commissioner Věra Jourová on measures the Commission intends to take.

Women’s Rights Committee Chairwoman Iratxe García Pérez, a Spanish member of the S&D group, stressed seven women a day are murdered in Europe as a result of gender violence. She said that people couldn't understand why an agreement to save banks could be reached but not one to save women's lives.

Addressing the commissioner, Pérez said: "Today we demand that a directive is drafted on gender violence. We need an integrated policy that is cross-cutting and far reaching."  The Women’s rights committee has also suggested to declare 2016 as a European year against gender violence.

Women’s rights committee members agreed that action needs to be taken immediately. Teresa Jiménez-Becerril, a Spanish member of the EPP group, said a joint strategy was needed and that the European order to protect victims keeps the aggressor away, but it is not enough.

Jana Žitňanská, a Slovakian member of the ECR group, said: “The fact that only 14% of victims of domestic violence get the courage to go to the police says a lot about the credibility of the police.” She urged to help these women instead of judging.

Beatriz Becerra, a Spanish member of the ALDE group, also pointed out the low number of victims reporting the crime. She urged to ratify right away the Istanbul convention, the first integrated legally binding document, which  stipulates that violence against women is a serious human rights violation and makes each member states responsible for eliminating violence against women.

Gender equality commissioner Věra Jourová agreed on the gravity of the situation: "I can assure you that I share the commitment to eliminate violence against women. This will be reflected in the new Commission’s strategy for equality between women and men, to be elaborated in 2015. There will be a chapter on violence against women, which is a priority."

Responding to the demand to adopt a new legislative act on gender violence prevention, the commissioner reminded of already existing legislations such as the Victims' Rights Directive and European Protection Order.

Regarding the request to establish European year against gender violence, Jourová said that existing efforts to raise and prevent violence should be evaluated before deciding on new measures.