How parliaments can and must promote effective ways of combating violence against women in all fields

 

                                   

Anghel STANCIU

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Inter-Parliamentary Group of ROMANIA

 

 

 

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Allow me, at the outset, to congratulate the two rapporteurs for the documents under debate. The Romanian Group put forward some additional proposals for the draft resolution. I would like to draw your attention especially to the two proposals addressing the complex linkages between violence against women and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

 

Dear colleagues,

 

The Parliament of Romania and its Standing Committees on equal opportunities in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies have promoted a coherent legislative framework comprising, in principal, the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, which aims at combating direct and indirect gender discrimination in all areas of public life, the Law for the Prevention and Countering of Domestic Violence, and the Law against the Trafficking in Human Beings, which integrates an important gender dimension.

 

A major institutional development was the setting up last year of the National Agency on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, with the mandate to implement these laws in all national policies and programmes. Upon the Agency’s proposal, we have recently adopted a National Strategy for the period 2006-2009 and a corresponding Plan of Action, which include specific objectives and actions designed to address all forms of violence against women.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Before concluding, let me reinforce our stance on today’s topic, as expressed within last year’s open debate of the UN Security Council on “Women and peace and security”, organized by Romania during its presidency of the Council. That is, if we want to achieve real progress in bridging the gap between political declarations and commitments and the realities on the ground, our action must be based on the conviction that women have a valuable contribution to make to their societies because they have indeed unique, skilful resources that bring added value to peace and development throughout the world. 

 

Therefore, parliamentary response should consist in the adoption of a legislation that make gender-based discrimination, violence against women, and human trafficking socially unacceptable. However, legislation alone is not sufficient. In order to be effective, it should be complemented with educational and awareness rising programs conducted at governmental level, aimed at demystifying gender stereotypes.  

 

Thank you.