Today, 25 November, we are marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Eliminating violence of this kind is high among Croatia’s foreign policy priorities, as we support the United Nation’s resolutions and documents on doubling efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, punish perpetrators, develop strategies and promote legal framework and practical measures for its prevention and elimination.
Globally, one out of three women has been a victim of physical or sexual violence. This constitutes a violation of human rights that arises from discrimination, inequality and stereotypes. This violence is taking place all around us, in public places and behind closed doors. It takes on different forms, from domestic violence and sexual harassment to genital mutilation, trafficking in women and girls, sexual violence in armed conflicts, early and forces marriages and honour killings.
Despite the existence of legal mechanisms, violence against women and girls is still the most widely present form of human rights violation in the world. Its elimination requires an integrated approach, with emphasis on prevention measures and support for women who have suffered violence.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in its activities within international organizations and in bilateral relations, promotes the empowerment of women and the necessity of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls, improving female education, women’s access to economic resources, political participation and representation, as well as changing society’s norms and prejudices that lead to violence against women.
Fighting all forms of violence against women will remain among the MFEA’s priorities in terms of human rights.
Violence against women is unacceptable, unjustifiable and intolerable.