Among the key objectives of the Beijing platform for action to promote women's rights was one calling for measures to prevent and eliminate violence against women. At this month's sitting of the European Parliament, Marianne Eriksson (S, EUL/NGL) made a passionate plea in support of this objective. She urged the Commission and Member States to convert the Beijing platform into a convention that is binding on all signatories.
She also called for Member States to introduce legislation that criminalises violence against women (including rape in marriage). They should protect victims of ill-treatment by such measures as simplified divorce proceedings and special laws against "stalking". Improved education, she considered, was a means of enhancing awareness of the issue at all levels in society, from schools to the law courts. She also wanted to see measures to combat violent exploitation of women and children in pornography and prostitution.
Mrs Eriksson drew particular attention to the zero-tolerance campaign against violence on women introduced in Edinburgh. She also argued for the collection of comprehensive statistics and funded research on violence against women; simplified immigration procedures to help victims of male violence remain in EU countries; and the incorporation of women's rights in agreements between the EU and third countries. In conclusion, Mrs Eriksson called for 1999 to be designated as a European year against violence against women and for this initiative to be supported by EU funding and a Europe-wide campaign.