MEPS DEMAND MORE SUPPORT FOR DAPHNE PROGRAMME.

• Position: Brief Article

In its mid-term report on the Daphne programme to combat violence against women, endorsed by the European Parliament's September 2 to 5 plenary session, the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee called for greater support for the programme, saying it had been very successful so far, and that many of its initiatives had been copied (i.e. Daphne programme successes were quoted at the Yokohama Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children as examples to be followed). The rapporteur, Maria Antonia Aviles Perea (EPP-ED/Spain), called for the programme to be extended beyond 2003 with increased funding and a more ambitious action plan.

--The Daphne programme (2000-2003) was set up in response to figures showing that 500,000 people a year (most of them women and children) are the victims of human-trafficking for sexual exploitation, that one in five women suffers domestic violence from a spouse or partner and that one woman a week in Europe is actually killed by her husband or partner. Apart from all forms of violence to women and children, (domestic, family, institutional, sexual, race-related, workplace etc.) the programme also deals with female genital mutilation, internet and child pornography, child sexual exploitation and paedophilia.

The Daphne programme supports the work of NGOs and public authorities, by encouraging exchanges of ideas and best practice via...