Today, Wednesday 28th of June, the European Parliament’s Committee for Women’s Rights & Gender Equality and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs voted on their position on the proposed EU Directive on combating violence against women.
This proposed law published by the European Commission in March 2022 aims to better combat violence against women and protect victims.
It criminalises rape based on lack of consent, female genital mutilation and cyber violence, which includes: non-consensual sharing of intimate images; cyber stalking; cyber harassment; and cyber incitement to violence or hatred. It also strengthens access to justice, including for victims with disabilities.
What does the position adopted today add for women with disabilities?
The Committees’ vote supports a more ambitious position on the Directive. It aligns with the demands of the European Disability Forum when it comes to women and girls with disabilities, by:
- Banning forced sterilisation, with no exception based on the legal capacity or disability of the woman or girl: the text criminalises the act of performing, coercing or procuring sterilisation without direct free and informed consent.
- Requiring inclusive and accessible actions to prevent violence against women, for example by ensuring that information on preventive measures, the rights of victims, access to justice and to a lawyer, and the available protection and support measures is available in format accessible and understandable for persons with disabilities
- Requiring training for professionals on the rights of victims with disabilities and on the necessity to deliver disability-sensitive support to victims
- Requiring accessibility of shelters and other interim measures, as well as reasonable accommodations, for victims with disabilities
- Requiring the collection of data on violence against women, disaggregated by disability
What is next?
- The European Parliament will formally approve the position adopted today in its plenary session on 13th of July.
- The text with be negotiated further with the Council of the EU – representing Member States – and the European Commission.
EDF will continue to advocate for a strong text, including the criminalisation of rape and forced sterilisation, accessibility of services for victims with disabilities, training for professional on the rights and needs of women with disabilities, and collection of data disaggregated by disability.
We thank the co-rapporteurs and all the MEPs who supposed the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in the text.
More information
- To know more about our campaign on #EndForcedSterilisation consult our campaign page.
- Read the European Parliament’s press release
Contact
Marine Uldry, Human Rights Policy Coordinator
Email: marine.uldry@edf-feph.org