IPPF EN statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

11/25/10: ID for the Elimination of Violence against Women – the freedom from gender-based violence underpins sexual rights

On International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women, the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPF EN) is delighted to see the work the Council of Europe is doing in drafting a new Convention to prevent and combat all forms of gender-based violence.

Today, discrimination, stigma, fear and violence pose real threats to many women and young girls. These threats and the actions they trigger – ranging from domestic violence, forced marriage to female genital mutilation – prevent many women from attaining basic sexual rights and health.

Gender-based violence constitutes a sexual rights violation. Sexuality-related harm includes both violence and abuse of a physical, verbal, psychological, economic and sexual nature as well as violence against individuals because of their gender and/or sexuality.

IPPF EN affirms that all people have the right to life, liberty and to be free of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in all cases, and particularly on account of gender.

We hope that the new Convention on Preventing and combating violence against women and Domestic violence the Council of Europe has decided to draw up will become a useful instrument, to help create a world in which the freedom, equality and dignity of all women are guaranteed, especially in the areas of their lives related to sexuality.