Sir, – The theme of this year’s UN International Women’s Day – “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women” – is as relevant in Ireland today as it is in many developing countries.
Members of the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are among the 8,000 people who have signed up to a global “Stop the violence: Speak out for girls’ rights” campaign, which was set up by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGGS) in the strong belief that girls and women have the right to live free from violence and the fear of violence.
It is estimated that up to six out of every 10 girls and women will experience violence and/or sexual abuse in their lifetimes. The WAGGGS campaign is about empowering girls and young women to understand their rights and have the skills and confidence to claim their rights and the rights of others.
Gender-related violence is among the topics IGG members will discuss during a 24-hour chat, crossing eight time zones, that is being organised by WAGGGS to mark International Women’s Day 2013.
IGG encourages its members to make a personal commitment to change the world. Last year we produced a global action theme pack on the millennium development goals, which includes a section on promoting gender equality and empowerment of women.
As a member of the Turn Off the Red Light campaign to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland, IGG urges the Government in the strongest possible terms to introduce legislation to end the exploitation of women and children in the sex industry. Ireland can learn from countries, like Sweden, that have legislated to penalise the purchase of sex while decriminalising the selling of sex. Practice shows that this approach reduces demand for prostitution and incidences of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Trafficking women and girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation is quite simply a modern global form of slavery. – Yours, etc,