LOC17:44
14:44 GMT
BRUSSELS, March 5 (KUNA) -- The human rights organisation Amnesty
International said here Friday that in the European Union (EU), tens of
thousands of women and girls of all ages and social groups suffer multiple
forms of violence.
"They suffer from sexual abuse and violence, trafficking, and are subject
to harmful traditional practices," said Amnesty in a statement to mark the
International women's day which falls on Monday, March 8.
It called on the current Spanish Presidency of the European Union to ensure
that the European Monitoring Centre on Gender-Based Violence addresses all
forms of violence against women.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso presented here
Friday a Women's Charter setting out EU's commitment to promote gender
equality in and beyond Europe over the next five years.
The Charter sets out five key principles: promote equal economic
independence, cut the gender pay gap, a better representation of women in key
decision-making roles, promote dignity, integrity and eradicate all forms of
violence against women, and finally promote more gender equality beyond the EU
at an international level. (end)
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