(25 November 2016) Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an opportunity to remind that violence against women in all its forms is unacceptable. Gender-based violence harms women, families, communities and societies. It is a human rights violation and one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based inequality. The elimination of violence against women involves challenging the unequal division of social, political, and economic power among women and men.
Many legal instruments exist at national level and EU level as e.g. the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention to eliminate gender-based violence, yet in practice a lot remains to be done. Trade unions in the public sector have been relevant in raising this issue at workplaces and in companies.
“Austerity measures and cutbacks in public services hit women hard and an increase in violence can be observed” says Christine Jakob, EPSU’s Equality Officer. Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU General Secretary adds “ If we want to end violence against women we also have to reconsider gender equality as a priority issue”.
EPSU also supports ETUC Campaign. You can participate in the online action by sharing this news for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and by using the Twitter hashtags launched by the ETUC #25N, and the UN #orangetheworld
See also:
- Saving Lives Needs Safety! at the PSI website
- Press release of ETUC (24.11.16): Eliminating violence against women at work and at home
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