Brussels Protest Demands Action Against Gender Violence Amidst Alarming Statistics
November 21, 2024A significant manifestation is scheduled to take place in Brussels on Sunday at noon on Poelaert Square, with events planned prior to the march that begins at 14:00, following a turnout of around 2,600 participants last year.
The Mirabal platform is advocating for a national action plan to combat sexual violence against children, stressing the importance of training frontline workers to effectively detect and support victims.
In 2024, at least 21 women have been murdered due to gender-based violence, as reported by the blog Stop Féminicides, highlighting the ongoing issue of underreporting such cases in the media despite the recent passing of the Stop Femicide law.
Statistics from this year reveal that women in Belgium face a higher risk of violence, with surveys indicating they are more likely to experience psychological, physical, and sexual violence compared to men.
Vie féminine has raised concerns that proposed economic policies from the next federal government could worsen economic violence against women.
Economic violence encompasses controlling a woman's spending, restricting access to financial resources, and incurring debts without the victim's knowledge, according to Vie féminine.
Vie féminine highlights that economic violence affects one in seven women in Belgium, severely limiting their financial autonomy and independence.
Margot Foubert from Sofélia expressed global concerns for women's rights, noting that women in Afghanistan have lost their right to speak, and that 80% of the victims in the ongoing genocide in Gaza are women and children.
According to the World Health Organization, between 20% to 24% of girls and 5% to 11% of boys under 18 experience sexual violence in Western countries.
Incest is a troubling issue in Belgium, affecting an estimated two to four children in every classroom, underscoring the prevalence of such violence.
Concerns about violence against women in Belgium were further highlighted by the recent arrest of a suspect following the assault of a young woman near the Soignes Forest.
Mirabal advocates for an integrated and comprehensive primary prevention policy for gender-based violence, acknowledging that such violence impacts women, sexual and gender minorities, and children across various life spaces.
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