Rape of women most widespread human rights breach in world

5.35.00pm GMT Tue 24th Nov 2009

Left to Right: Sophie in 't Veld MEP, Eve Ensler, Sarah Ludford MEP, Leonidas Donskis MEP and Gesine Meissner MEP

The International Day for the elimination of violence against women takes place on Wednesday 25 November.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford with MEP colleagues met with 'Vagina Monologues' author Eve Ensler to discuss strategies for ending violence against women.

Eve Ensler has also founded V-Day (V for violence) and 'City of Joy', a women's refuge for victims of rape and torture in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sarah Ludford commented:

"It is estimated that half a million women and girls, including tiny babies, in the Congo have been raped and often horribly mutilated in the past decade of war."

"Despite the devastating numbers of these sexual assaults, the international community has never treated it as an emergency. The International Criminal Court must pursue those who orchestrate these crimes against humanity, who until now have had impunity."

"In the UK alone 3 million women and girls a year are said to experience violence and abuse, from domestic violence to forced marriage, human trafficking, rape and honour killings. Worldwide, women suffer male violence on a huge scale."

"But only with the support of men can it be made a top priority to ensure their mothers, wives, sisters or daughters do not become victims of gender violence. This epidemic of injustice can only be fully tackled if we all resolve that the most widespread abuse of human rights in the world is unacceptable."

ENDS