MANIFEST FOR NOVEMBER 25 2013

FOR EUROPE FREE FROM GENDER VIOLENCE

One more year we denounce all violence against women, sexist male violence

Autorin: Sissy Vouvou

EUROPEAN LEFT PARTY
 
MANIFEST FOR NOVEMBER 25 2013
FOR EUROPE FREE FROM GENDER VIOLENCE
 
One more year we denounce all violence against women, sexist male violence which seems to give us no respite in Europe and the whole world.  
 
A date like November 25 must lead us to vindicate our commitment to eliminate gender violence from Europe and the whole world.  
 
In all parts of the world, women’s situation is unsustainable due to the denial of our rights which are ignored, especially in the present situation of neoliberalism and economic crisis which lead us women to impoverishment and prevent us from breaking from violent relationships in the private sphere as well as in work and in the public sphere.  
Women suffer from sexual exploitation, domestic violence, attackes, rapes, murdering and executions. We live in a patriarchal society in which we see today a drift towards political positions resulting in backward changes such as: abortion laws, budget cuts regarding social protection and equality programs, discrimination in a shrinking labour market imposing economic violence to women, further marginalisation of migrant women.  
In the framework of the resurgence of extreme right and fascist movements, gender equality and women’s rights are openly denounced, opening the door to regressive mentalities and policies. Equally homosexual orientation and gender identity are denounced and punished in many occasions, despite protective laws.
The Left is here, and fights inside society for the change of mentalities, in collaboration with the feminist and women’s organisations. At the same time  addresses the state and demands the application of all laws protecting women from violence, and the enforcement of infrastructure which will assist women in moments of crisis. We focus on prevention of violence, on education in equality, but also on an efficient penalty system against discriminatory and violent behaviours against women and the necessary follow-up. All these need adequate financial and human resources.
The struggles for a real secular state is also an objective for European women in these moments of intense aggression against our rights.
The situation of migrnat women in Europe with the extra-discrimination they suffer, requires policies radically different from the present ones, based on solidarity and integration against those measures that enable their expultion such as Frontex and the Return directive, and in favour of individual legal status, not family dependent.
The present situation shows how the struggle for gender equality is also struggle against gender violence and all policies weakening further the position of the women. The autonomous women’s movement, assisted by progressive parties and networks like the ALTER SUMMIT, has the power to elaborate policies and apply practices for the elimination of violence against women.
We fight for the autonomy and integrity of women’s bodies, which is the opposite from the patriarchal ideology at the root of gender violence, in any of its forms.
Today, is the day of counter offensive, we have gained a lot on the basis of our struggles for a whole century, we continue our struggle massively and decisively. We commit our forces to public activities on this day, to make visible the hidden and concealed gender violence.
 
November 25, 2013