This is the title of an IAW emergency emergency motion – 2015.05.07 -. It is seconded by 5 other full member organisations of EWL: 1 Coordination of Greek Women NGO’s for the EWL; 2 Dutch Council of Women (NVR); 3 Hungarian Women’s Lobby; 4 Czech Women’s Lobby; 5 Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO). It has been sent to the Emergency Motions Committee for assessment.
Text of emergency motion
Violence against women (VAW) is the most widespread violation of women’s human rights: one out of three women is a victim of sexual and/or physical violence in the EU. VAW is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. The most unsafe place for women and girls is at home.Small arms like knives, pistols and rifles are easy to buy and conceal. 1 They give a sense of power to a partner, ex-partner, family member or acquaintance and are great threats to the safety of women and girls. Preventive measures saves states and civil society a great deal of money!
The EU Commission is called upon to establish 2016 as the EU Year to End Violence Against Women, with substantial resources to raise more awareness about prevention of VAW especially caused by the use of small arms like knives, pistols and rifles and support actions at all levels. 2
Note 1. FRA – European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2014
Note 2. EWL demands A Europe free from violence against women in From Words to Action 1995-2015, p 15
