On 25 November we #OrangeTheWorld to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and kick off #16Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence leading up to - 10 December, International Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign seeks to highlight that gender-based violence is “a universal phenomenon which takes many forms across culture, race, and class”, and a violation of human rights.
UN Women’s global theme for the campaign this year is: Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls
- the EU's international role | international cooperation
- Monday 27 November 2023, 14:00 - 15:30 (CET)
Practical information
- When
- Monday 27 November 2023, 14:00 - 15:30 (CET)
- Where
- InfoPoint and Webex Meetings
- Languages
- English
- Organisers
- International Partnerships InfoPoint
Description
The European Union (EU) is committed to promoting Gender Equality, eradicating inequalities and violence. Freedom from all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the key thematic areas of engagement established by the EU Gender Action Plan 2021 – 2025 (GAP III).
Remarkably, this year the EU acceded to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women (VAW) and Domestic Violence (DV) (Istanbul Convention), marking a major step forward in the efforts towards the eradication of gender-based violence. Furthermore, on 22 March 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for an EU Directive on combating VAW and domestic violence (DV). The Directive on VAW and DV, together with the Istanbul Convention, will establish the long-awaited legal framework to safeguard individuals from GBV, both in the EU and in partner countries.
GBV remains one of the most widespread and under-reported forms of human rights violations. Global data shows that 35% of women have experienced physical and sexual violence. Furthermore, there is a visible increase in online GBV. In today's digital age, EU reinforces its commitment to combat online violence, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and create a safer digital space for all women and girls.
The EU invests in prevention and protection, both in legislation and programming. Addressing violence against women and girls requires a comprehensive as well as transformative approach that tackles the root causes at the societal, cultural, and individual levels. Moreover, this approach takes into account intersecting vulnerabilities.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the EU in 2010, acknowledges GBV against women and girls with disabilities and calls for appropriate legislative measures and actions. GBV affects women and girls with disabilities to a much greater extent than most other women but remains under reported. In this regard, EU is determined to ensure that no one is left behind, and every victim’s-survivor's voice is heard and respected.
In this context, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of VAW and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, DG INTPA and DG NEAR are organising a hybrid InfoPoint session aiming to highlight EU commitments and actions on countering and preventing GBV, and to present best practices and challenges by giving voice to partners working in the field.
Speakers
- Micha RAMAKERS, Deputy Head of Unit INTPA G1, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance
- Aurora IDANPAA, Legal and Policy Assistant, DG JUST Unit D3, Gender Equality
- Clara SANCHEZ PASTOR, Programme Assistant NEAR D5 - Western Balkans Regional Programmes
- Monserrat ESCUDERO, SPOTLIGHT Initiative, Argentina
Registrations