“No more violence against women”

The Council of Europe has launched a campaign to stop violence against women and is actively involving the European parliaments in the issue. Even though Sweden is held up as an example when it comes to gender equality, violence against women is increasing. It is time to take steps to ensure that the Swedish Parliament's target is achieved, declare Speaker Per Westerberg (Moderate Party) and MP Carina Hägg (Social Democratic Party). The Council of Europe has just launched a campaign to combat violence against women. The campaign is intended to draw attention to the issue of men’s violence against women and to urge various actors in society to bear their full responsibility for putting a stop to this violence.
This cross-border project is the first of its kind. The European parliaments are cooperating via the Council of Europe and putting violence high on the agenda. The campaign will continue until March 2008.
Sweden is one of 37 participating countries that are now pledging to combat this violence. The Swedish Parliament supports this campaign and the Riksdag Board has said yes to supporting and earmarking resources for measures and activities. The campaign will involve a broad spectrum of organisations and cross-party networks, both inside and outside parliament.
Sweden is sometimes referred to as a world-leader in the field of gender equality. Since the 1970s, violence against women has been viewed as an important political issue in Sweden. Despite this, domestic violence against women has not stopped. On the contrary, statistics from the National Council for Crime Prevention indicate that there may have been an increase of incidents in recent years. Last year over 24,000 cases of assault against women were reported, and in 75 per cent of the cases the perpetrator was said to have a close relationship with the woman.
This probable increase of violence in the home is not unique to Sweden. There is a similar pattern in other countries too. Violence against women is a social problem that goes beyond national borders. It represents a serious violation of human rights and it conflicts with fundamental democratic values.
Restrictions to a woman’s freedom and physical integrity are unfitting in a democratic society. It is crucial, therefore, that we cooperate at the European and international levels.
We politicians must realise the extent of the problems associated with violence against women – social, economic and political. First, it is a social problem and an expression of gender inequality. This has an impact on community planning and urban environments since the threat of violence constantly restricts women’s freedom of movement.
In addition, domestic violence is one of the greatest threats to public health at a global level. Furthermore men’s violence makes children the victims of violence, an aspect that warrants more attention.
Domestic violence is also an economic problem. According to an estimate carried out by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, this violence costs society a total of SEK 900 million every year just for legal processing, healthcare and social services. On top of this come the costs for accommodation, sick-leave, child psychiatric care and medication.
Finally we want to stress that domestic violence is also a political problem. There are political costs when a society cannot defend its own citizens against systematic violations of human rights.
In a democratic society it is unacceptable that women are forced to leave the country on account of violence. It is therefore important that all political representatives, both men and women, take responsibility for securing a life of security and freedom for all women.
There is already broad consensus in the Swedish Parliament that violence against women must stop. A good deal has been done in parliament. Despite this, men’s violence against women is not always found on the political agenda. In the latest election campaign there were plenty of proposals, but there was no debate.
Sweden may be considered to be best in the field on gender equality, but we still have a lot to learn and plenty more needs to be done. What are the best approaches and methods? Exchanging experiences across borders and continuing to work with good examples are crucial if we are to achieve our goal of stopping this violence.
This work can and must get off the ground now. It is our hope that the Council of Europe’s campaign will serve as a much-needed catalyst. It is about making a reality of the goals that the Swedish Parliament already supports. All good resources must be mobilised if we are to tackle one of our most challenging democratic problems.

PER WESTERBERG
CARINA HÄGG
28 November 2006
Debattredaktör: Lasse Hansson, 040-28 10 13Fax: 040-93 96 56E-post: [email protected]