A report on the future EU strategy for combating violence against women by GUE/NGL MEP Eva-Britt Svensson's today received unanimous backing in the Women's Rights and Gender Equality committee of the European Parliament.

Commenting after the vote on the committee's demand for an EU directive against violence against women, something that does not exist today, Svensson, the Committee Chair, said it was "a historic decision when a committee unanimously calls for a directive on violence against women. I am pleased to see such uunambiguous support from across the political spectrum. It shows that the EU is ready to take concrete and decisive steps to halt violence against women."

Svensson believes that this is a logical consequence of previous EU decisions. The Lisbon Treaty says it is crucial to introduce an area of freedom, security and justice. This was followed by the Stockholm programme, the EU Security Strategy for 2010-2014, adopted at a summit in December 2009 during the Swedish presidency. As a result, the Commission announced a special plan to combat violence against women during 2011-2012.

When Svensson's report is adopted in plenary, it will set out Parliament's demands on the content of the forthcoming Commission proposals. The plenary vote is provisionally scheduled for the April 4-7 session.

In today's vote the committee unanimously stated:
* Prostitution is a form of violence against women.
* Surrogate motherhood is a serious problem that exploits women's bodies and reproductive organs.

Vote result: 27 in favour, none against, two abstentions.

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:
David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
www.guengl.eu
European United Left/Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group