The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) condemned this Tuesday with a “red card” harassment and violence against women, whether in football, at work or on the way home.
“It is time to show a red card against this violation of human rights,” the agency said in a statement, urging European Union countries to further protect women and support victims more.
The majority of women in the European Union have experienced some form of sexual harassment or violence, according to the agency.
“This serious abuse of human rights is a daily reality for more than half of the EU population,” the document reads.
The data collected by the agency in a survey reveals that two out of five girls (43%) between the ages of 18 and 19 have experienced non-consensual touching, hugging and kissing. More than half of the women (55%) have experienced sexual harassment since the age of 15.
According to the same source, one in three women (33%) has been subjected to physical/sexual violence. For a third of the victims, the abuser was a boss, a colleague or a client.
However, most of the women did not report the violence or harassment at any level: “Many felt that the police would not do anything, they felt ashamed or feared it would worsen” the situation.
“Harassment and violence can have a devastating impact on women’s lives, from physical assaults to psychological consequences,” the agency warns.
The European organization cites data from Eurostat to remind that every year hundreds of women are murdered by their partners.
The current debate shows that EU countries must do more to combat harassment and violence against women, defended the European agency.
“All countries should sign the Istanbul Convention to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. To date, only 21 States of the Union have done so,” the agency stressed, also defending that governments must guarantee means for the police, justice and security. health sector to work together on prevention and support for victims.
The FRA’s position comes at a time when another controversial case in sports is being debated, in this Spanish case.
The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has been suspended by FIFA for 90 days for kissing a Spanish national team player on the lips after Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup in Sydney.
The commission of presidents of the football federations of the autonomous communities of Spain demanded, this Monday, that Luis Rubiales resign as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) “immediately”, denouncing “unacceptable behaviors that seriously damage the image of Spanish football”. football”.
The presidents of the regional federations also demanded “a profound organic restructuring in the strategic positions of the RFEF” and committed themselves to “equality policies for the development of women’s football.”
After the events in Sydney, there was numerous criticism of Rubiales, with the player Jenni Hermoso stating that she had not consented to the kiss, contrary to what the president of the federation guarantees.
Rubiales said on Friday that he would not leave his position, which caused a new peak of response and extreme positions, with the players of the national team announcing that they are not available to represent Spain again, while the current leaders of the RFEF remain in the positions.
On Saturday, FIFA announced Rubiales’ suspension from office for 90 days, and 11 members of the coach’s coaching staff, Jorge Vila, resigned. For his part, the coach condemned the “inadequate behavior” of the president of the RFEF.
Source: TSF
