Saarland state parliament concerned about violence against women
The Saarland state parliament has called for more protection against violence against women. Violence against women is "still an alarming problem", according to a resolution passed by the state parliament on Wednesday to mark the International Day against Violence against Women.
It was "deeply shocking" to note that women are particularly defenceless in times of war. They are then not only exposed to war, but also to sexual violence. This was demonstrated in Ukraine and after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, among other places. Women are also being oppressed and intimidated in Iran and Afghanistan. The state parliament called on the federal government to pursue a foreign policy that "focuses on women's rights and enforces them consistently".
The extent of domestic and sexual violence in Saarland is also "depressing". The number of reported cases had risen from 2653 in 2021 to 3178 last year. This is also a positive consequence of a higher detection rate and an increased willingness to report cases. The state parliament pointed out that the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention of 2011 obliges all states to "prevent and combat violence against women and girls in a comprehensive, sustainable and coordinated manner". In Saarland, a "round table" is being set up to implement the convention.
Among other things, the state government was called upon to work towards a uniform national definition of violence against women in crime statistics and to support local authorities in eliminating "spaces of fear".
The state parliament expressed concern about the potential increase of crime against women, given the global instances of violence against women in conflict zones. Parliamentarians urged the federal government to prioritize women's rights in their foreign policy, as per the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention.
Source: www.dpa.com
