Welsh Euro MP and Vice Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee for Women’s Rights, JILL EVANS MEP, will mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (Friday 8th March) by launching a special declaration at the Barcelona Women's International Day March.
The declaration entitled "Building a world without violence" will be launched by the European Free Alliance Women's Network meeting at the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona.
Jill Evans MEP who is leader of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in the European Parliament said:
"On this International Women’s Day we are calling upon the women of the world to join us in pledging to work for a world without violence."
"In the past year we have seen a graphic illustration of how violence can spiral. Its main casualties are innocent women and children. All too often women and girls are deliberately targeted during war. They suffer rape and sexual assault, they flee as refugees, are forced into prostitution around military camps or grieve as partners and mothers."
"Women all over the world suffer institutional violence such as domestic violence and discrimination and abuse in the workplace. 70% of the world’s population living in poverty are women."
"But women are not only passive victims. They play a significant role in peacebuilding and reconciliation; are active in campaigning for disarmament, human rights and a non-violent world. Women can be a collective force for peace, reconciliation and development. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved when the views of half the population are ignored. The needs and concerns of women must be addressed equally to those of men."
The declaration of the European Free Alliance Women’s Network on International Women’s Day calls for support for the contribution, experience and participation of women in every sphere of life - including the economy, politics, culture, peace processes and decision making. It also demands full participation of women in creating a new Europe through equal representation in the Convention on the Future of Europe.
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