On 14 April 2021, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) participated in the Strategic Inter-parliamentary Dialogue on “Gender-responsive recovery post COVID-19” organized jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. The meeting was the second of a series of three IPU-hosted online meetings on gender equality related issues, and was organized under the theme “Violence Against Women and Girls”. The event was moderated by the Permanent Observer of IPU to the United Nations, Ms. Paddy Torsney, and opened by Hon. Koutra-Koukouma, Member of the Parliament of Cyprus.
In her opening remarks, Hon. Koutra-Koukouma highlighted the important increase of reported violence against women, in all its forms during the pandemic. Furthermore, new forms of violence have emerged and intensified, such as online abuse (e-stalking, e-harassment, e-bullying, etc…).
PAM was represented by Hon. Yana Chiara Ehm, Italy, Hon. Marie-Noëlle Gibelli, Monaco, and Hon. Katica Glamuzina, Croatia. In her intervention on behalf of PAM, Hon. Glamuzina emphasized the Assembly’s ongoing commitment in favor of women’s rights and its work toward the publication of a dedicated report and recommendations on domestic violence this year, on the occasion of its 15th Plenary Session, which will be held on 3 and 4 June 2021. In addition, she informed the participants of the establishment of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum which will hold its first meeting on this occasion.
During this meeting, parliamentarians shared the recent legal and political developments in their countries. The creation of smartphone Apps aiming at providing quick assistance to victims of violence were mentioned. Meanwhile, UN Representatives, called for the creation of femicide observatories in order to collect more accurate data to break the circle of violence.