The Minister of State meets with stakeholders working to protect women’s rights

©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna

To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Minister of State held a working meeting with members of the Government, administrative services, charities and civil society involved in assisting women who are victims of violence. The meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders and leaders to come together for discussions. “Violence against women is an issue that requires close cooperation and a willingness to all look in the same direction”, recalled Céline Cottalorda, Country Chief Women’s Rights Officer.  

Didier Guillaume stressed the importance that the Prince’s Government attaches to protecting women’s rights and especially the efforts to prevent violence against women. “This day is important to me because women, who make up the majority of victims of domestic violence, deserve to be heard, understood and respected”, said the Minister of State. “When we look around, we see that the fight is global: no country in the world is free of this problem, including the Principality”, he pointed out.

“As of 1 November 2024, the Police Department has recorded 49 cases of violence, compared to 46 cases at the same time last year. This slightly higher figure reflects an increase in reporting in an era where women’s voices are being heard more”, said the Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre.

Responding to these statistics, the Minister of Health and Social Affairs Christophe Robino stated: “It is not a matter of numbers, it is a matter of principle. Even one case is one too many”.

The Principality has taken a proactive approach to protecting women from all forms of violence and discrimination. In 2014 it signed the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe.

Several laws have been passed by the National Council since 2019 to better protect victims. The most recent one provides for compensation for victims of sexual offences and crimes against children.

At a cocktail reception that followed, the Minister of State thanked everyone who contributed to the new campaign by the Women’s Rights Committee this year on silent violence, and more generally all those who work on the ground, every day, often in the shadows, to help women who are victims of violence. “Invisible forms of violence are the toughest to eradicate. We are not doing this because it is 25 November, but because it is something we believe in”, said Didier Guillaume.