The launch of the first European law against violence against women is an absolute priority, said the presidents of the Commission and the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola.
But the ongoing negotiations on the European Directive, designed to unify the regulations on rape across the EU and facilitate the protection of women, have run aground, lacking unanimity of views among the 27 countries on some points.
The main obstacle
to be overcome in Brussels is linked in particular
to Article 5 of the text
, i.e. the one which, by defining
rape as "sex without consent"
, favors its criminalization in the laws of all states.
The European Chamber wants the new legislation to contain a definition of this criminal offense applicable to 'any non-consensual sexual intercourse' and in all Member States.
However, some countries are still not convinced and are holding the text hostage.
The 27 would be split almost in half.
France, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, among others, demand that victims must prove the use of force or threat;
while the position of 13 others, including Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and Italy, is in line with the slogan: 'No means no'.
Associations to protect women victims of violence but also trade unions rise up.
In particular, the latter are concerned by the elimination of the definition of
"sexual harassment in the world of work"
(Article 4 of the Directive).
For further information Agenzia ANSA Una None One Hundred Thousand against the EU directive: 'Cancel the crime of rape' - News - Ansa.it "A game of balance of power is being played on women's bodies" (ANSA)
Picierno (vice-president of the EU Parliament): "We need a choral mobilization"
"We have a week to convince governments that the directive on gender violence must be approved without cuts and omissions that would make it seriously insufficient."
The vice-president of the European Parliament Pina Picierno declared this in a note, calling for a "choral mobilization".
"Giorgia Meloni - asks Picierno - answer these questions clearly: do you believe that sexual intercourse without consent should be considered rape? Do you believe that harassment in the workplace is a plague to be eradicated without hesitation? Do you believe that cyber violence is always harmful incalculable on women? If you are in favor, say so and work actively to convince other national governments: the agreement on the release of funds to Ukraine was found, despite Orban's terrible blackmail, in 24 hours. If there is it's political will, agreements can be found. We need a collective mobilization that pushes us to consider violence against women as a priority issue. The time for downward mediation on women's bodies is over."
For further information Agenzia ANSA Women's bodies, violence and patriarchy - Magazine - ANSA.it Feminicides are not decreasing, on the contrary young males are increasingly brutal in their violence.
We need a cultural revolution, but to implement it it is necessary to invest in systemic training and a different role for women in society (ANSA)
Unions against the elimination of the definition of "sexual harassment in the world of work"
Trade unions say no to the elimination of the rules on rape and sexual harassment in the world of work from the European Directive.
Cgil Cisl Uil express "great concern for the attempt to weaken the European directive against violence against women and domestic violence, in particular article 5 which, by defining rape as "sex without consent", favors its criminalization in the legal systems of all states.
The front of countries is widening, such as Poland and Hungary, which are trying in every way to have Article 5 removed from the directive, underline Lara Ghiglione, CGIL confederal secretary, Daniela Fumarola, deputy general secretary of the CISL and Ivana Veronese Uil confederal secretary.
The Belgian presidency, in an attempt to find mediation, modified the text in several points: it eliminated the definition of "sexual harassment in the world of work" (Article 4), it eliminated Article 5 (Rape)".
"The women of CGIL CISL UIL - we read in a note - invite the Italian Government and the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to defend the rules protecting women and to promote full support for Article 5 among all delegations and all countries The original formulation guarantees and protects more from gender violence: we don't want to give in to pejorative changes that would pay women in and out of the workplace. We need more protection, not fewer rights."
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