Inter-Parliamentary Union: Statement on Sexual Violence Against Women
Friday, May 10, 2013 11:50 AM
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) unanimously endorsed a
Statement on Sexual Violence Against Women on 27 March 2013 at it’s 128
th Assembly in Quito, Ecuador.
In the document, parliamentarians expressed deep concern at the widespread acts of sexual violence against women and rape in particular, and urged parliaments to scrutinize existing laws to ensure that these types of crimes are defined, criminalized and addressed in accordance to the international standards.
The document condemns sexual violence as one of the most frequent forms of violence inflicted upon women in the public and private sphere and expresses the commitment to take all necessary measures to end sexual violence against women. It urges parliaments to demand their governments to ensure that law enforcement is adequately prepared to respond to rape and other sexual violence cases. By signing the document, parliamentarians committed themselves to championing the cause of ending violence against women.