Statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean on the occasion of the International Day on the Elimination of violence against Women

On the occasion of the UN International Day on the Elimination of violence against Women, observed on 25 November, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) calls on all member states to make new and stronger commitments and take further national action to protect women.

 

On this day, parliamentarians, decision makers and every individual in society, must commit to work together to end any kind of violence against women.

 

Women’s empowerment is a core pillar of PAM, where Article 21 of its Statutes, provides for the establishment of a Special Task Force on gender and equality issues. It is one of two permanent working groups stipulated in the statutes.

 

Since 2008, the Assembly has unanimously adopted reports on topics such as, Domestic Violence, Women in Politics in the Mediterranean, Achievement of Gender Equality, Women refugees, and  Women and Education. For 2013, PAM will evaluate the situation of women in connection with the changes brought about by the Arab Spring.

 

Finally, PAM wishes to reiterate its call to end violence against women, and to eliminate its harmful and negative impact on their dignity and society as a whole.

 

 

 

Malta, 23 November 2012