The Rise of Gender-Based Violence and Decline of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
What Can We Do About It?
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a brutal human rights violation and an expression of the unequal power relations in our societies. Over 40% of women in Europe have survived gender-based violence.
In July 2023, after years of pressure from feminist activists and by active campaigning by the Greens/EFA Group, the European Parliament adopted its position for the first-ever European directive against gender-based violence. As the negotiations move to trilogues, the role of Member States to commit to EU-wide action against GBV increases.
Malta has ratified the Istanbul Convention and has adopted a number of legal and policy measures to combat GBV. However, a number of issues remain unresolved, in particular the criminal justice system.
In addition, Malta is the only country in Europe (alongside Andorra) to have a total ban on abortion. Wider international attempts to backslide women's rights through legislation and political attacks by anti-abortion politicians halt progress.
How can we make a difference both in national parliaments and at the international level to counter gender-based violence?
What can we learn from fellow advocates across Europe in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights?
Join Green politicians, experts and human rights advocates for a discussion on how to collectively counter violence and make meaningful change together.
THE EVENT REQUIRES REGISTRATION.
Programme
Moderation: Mina Jack Tolu (he/they) - Committee member, European Green Party, Malta
15:00 Opening words: Kim van Sparrentak (she/her) - Member of European Parliament, Netherlands, Co-president of the LGBTI Intergroup of The European Parliament
15.10 Fireside chat: Sandra Gauci (she/her) - Chairperson of ADPD, Maltese Greens & Ulrika Westerlund (she/her) - Member of Parliament, Sweden
15.40 Panel discussion:
- Gwendoline Delbos-Corflied (she/her) - Member of European Parliament, France
- Mélanie Vogel (she/her) - Co-chair European Green Party and Senator, France
- Fatim Diarra (she/her) - Member of Parliament, Finland
- Dr. Lara Dimitrijevic LL.D. (she/her) -Women’s Rights Foundation, Malta
16.30 Q&A
16.50 Closing words: Kim van Sparrentak (she/her) - Member of European Parliament, Netherlands, Co-president of the LGBTI Intergroup of The European Parliament
17.00 End of event
