25
Nov
2021
Watch
The International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and the State of play on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention (continuation of debate)
Mr President, María Isabel, Erika, Mónica, Zuita, Pamela, Amal, María de los Ángeles, María Pilar, Hazna, África, Consuelo, Alicia, Rocío, Nicoleta, María Teresa, Betty, Lucía, Jordina, Mari Cruz, Mari Carmen, Conchi, Flora... some of the 37 women murdered by their partners and ex-partners, by those who claimed to love them. And while, in the European Union, despite the efforts of this Parliament, ratification of the Istanbul Convention remains stalled, the Commission raises doubts about gender-based violence as a Eurocrime and there is controversy over the scope of the legislative proposal it intends to put forward. I only hope that the Commission will not give wings to the deniers and far-right governments boycotting us in the Council. These governments and their allies are those who protect the culture of rape, those who advance on the bodies of women in their particular "maid story", convinced that we are the property of men, states or churches. Thousands of women are waiting for our answer and we cannot leave them alone.