MEPS CALL FOR ZERO TOLERANCE TO ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

MEPs voiced their concern about gender-based violence, a problem that affects women of any age, irrespective of education, income or social position, by adopting an own-initiative report asking for "zero tolerance to all forms of violence against women" and proposing EU measures to raise awareness and overcome this complex problem.

The report was adopted with 545 votes in favour, 13 against and 56 abstentions. It states that "large-scale prevalence studies in Sweden, Germany and Finland show that at least 30-35% of women between 16 and 67 have at one time been victims of physical or sexual violence" and "surveys show that 65-90 % of prostituted women had already been subjected to sexual abuse as children or later".

MEPs say that male violence against women should be regarded as a "violation of human rights reflecting unequal gender power relations"."Unequal distribution of power lies at the root of all violence against women" according to them.They stress that there is a need for proactive and preventive strategies aimed at the perpetrators and those at risk of becoming perpetrators.

The report calls on the Commission "to devise a comprehensive strategic approach at European level with the aim of putting an end to the practice of female genital mutilation in the European Union."

MEPs call on the Member States to provide all necessary support to the victims. They also call for specific employment action programmes for the victims of gender-based violence, so as to enable them to enter the labour market and achieve financial independence".The House also says that marginalisation and poverty are basic causes for prostitution and of increased trafficking in women.

To mark International Women's Day 2005 (8 March), the European Parliament held a range of events to highlight the problem of violence against women.