Mariya Gabriel: The fight against domestic violence is a top priority
21 February 2024 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel chairs the first meeting of the newly formed National Council for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence.
‘Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. The faces of violence are many. Together, as a society and institutions, with commitment and concrete measures, we could strengthen the fight against domestic violence. We need a systematic and consistent policy in the fight against domestic violence and today we are taking a very important step in this direction’, Mariya Gabriel said.
In shaping the approach to defining a coherent state policy against domestic violence, several significant issues were identified. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the most important ones — lack of effective protection and guarantee for the protection of life, health and rights of persons at risk.
The National Council was established under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act. Its members are ministers, representatives of the judiciary, chairpersons of state agencies, as well as NGOs working on prevention and protection from domestic violence.
At the first meeting the Coordination Mechanism for Assistance and Support to Victims of Domestic Violence was presented. Information was also presented on the progress of the work to amend the Implementing Rules. Priority activities of programmes for prevention of domestic violence and specialised services to provide protection, assistance and support to victims of domestic violence or at risk were also discussed. They will be part of the National Programme for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence for the period 2024 — 2026, which is expected to be adopted by the Council of Ministers in March.
‘A key word at today’s meeting was prevention. It is important to highlight the steps forward, good proposals and practices in response to the challenges’, Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel further said.