HRC 32 - EU Intervention: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences and the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice

Mr. President,

The EU wishes to welcome Dr. Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences to the Council, thank her for her first report as mandate holder and express gratitude for the work undertaken so far.

The EU continues to be appalled by the numerous serious instances of violence against women and girls that are taking place worldwide, including the persistence of gender related killings, domestic violence, coercive control, sexual and intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation and child early and forced marriage. Women and girls belonging to minorities, indigenous women and girls and those who otherwise face marginalization and exclusion can be especially at risk and are often subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Women and girls are also disproportionately affected by the impact of natural disasters, humanitarian crises and conflict. We therefore strongly support continued attention by this Council to this issue.

In this year’s report, the Special Rapporteur sets out a number of thematic priorities for her work in the areas of violence prevention and response and protection where violence occurs. She also states her intention to continue to cooperate with other parts of the UN and treaty-body system. The EU welcomes this approach and stands ready to work with the Special Rapporteur.

Dr. Šimonović,

In your report you mention the importance of implementation of existing international and regional instruments. Could you give some examples of what you intend to do to assist States and stakeholders in this regard?

Turning to the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and practice – Ms Frances Raday,

We highly appreciate the determination of the Working Group to shed light on discrimination against women in all spheres of life, including those that – wrongly, as you point out - may be considered taboo, or may be kept under the radar as a private matter.

We agree with your conclusion that substantive equality in the area of health and safety requires differential treatment. Accordingly, the EU Health Strategy emphasises the importance of considering gender specific differences in order to provide adequate services.

The European Commission has also commissioned a survey on women's health in the EU, which found that while the majority of European women reported having easy access to good quality health care, access to services still varied widely across Europe. In addition to sexual and reproductive health issues, which are obviously gender-specific, the study highlighted that women were more at risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, depression and suicide. Interestingly, authors suggested that this increased risk of mental health problems in women could be associated with unequal division of unpaid work, which places a greater burden on women. It was recommended that health care should be more sensitive to women's specific needs, particularly the specific needs of older women, as they are a growing demographic group.

Ms Raday, in the report, you also highlight that states have due diligence obligations to ensure that private actors do not discriminate against women. Could you give us some examples of good practices aimed at achieving this?

The EU is committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls in the areas of health and safety, including by ensuring autonomous, affordable and effective access to health care for both women and men. We recognize that we still have some homework left to do before this goal is fully realized, and hope that others will join us in accelerating progress towards achieving de facto gender equality.

Finally, Mr. President, let me reiterate the EU's full support for the work of both of these mandates.