SKR’s program at the NGO CSW Forum at the UN Commission on the Status of Women 58th session in NYC
The Swedish Model
Silence is Violence
Rape: a Global Culture
Experiences of legalization and criminalization, and the next step forward for Sweden – banning Swedes’ from purchasing sex abroad. More and more countries in Europe find that attempts to provide people in prostitution with support and strengthened rights through legalizing the sex industry has not had the desired impact. SKR has received many delegations from European governments interested in adopting legislation based on the Swedish model, which criminalizes paying for, not selling, sex. The Swedish experience suggests that any effective approach against trafficking must also reduce prostitution and the demand for it, since all “johns” are fuel for traffickers.
Ten percent of all children in Sweden have experienced violence in their own home (most often their father abusing their mother). These children are rarely heard by the police, social service or courts. But they are not free from harm. Social disconnection, fright of the other parent, silence and acting out are some common consequences. How does and can society make sure that these children and their needs are seen and taken care of? How does the absence of children´s rights in the post2015 agenda affect children subjected to violence in their homes? How can children as agents be strengthened in international law?
Sweden is an extraordinary example in a global rape culture. The Assange case created an international perception of Sweden as a feminist state where innocent men face the risk of being convicted for rape. However the Swedish women’s movement considers it practically impossible for rapists to be convicted. How can the most gender equal country in the world still have huge problems with rape and sexual abuse? Sweden has the highest number of police reporting on rape in Europe. Yet the number of convictions is the same as in the rest of Europe. What can Sweden learn from other countries when it comes to campaigning against rape and sexual abuse?
Welcome remarks by: Maria Arnholm, Minister for Gender Equality in the Swedish Government.
Panel: Olga Persson, Secretary-General, SKR Hanna Gustavsson Hertell, Organizational Developer Children’s Affairs, SKR Maureen Curtis, Associate Vice President, Safe Horizon, NYC
Panel: Olga Persson, Secretary-General, SKR Bárbara Tardón Head of Advocacy and Public Awareness, ASPACIA Marion Lesur, Project Coordinator, Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE)
Fighting trafficking by targeting all Johns. ➤ When? 4.30 pm-6 pm, Mon, March 10th, 2014 ➤ Where? Boss Room of the Church Center for the United Nations (777 United Nations Plaza)
Panel: Olga Persson, Secretary-General, SKR Grégoire Théry, CAP International and Mouvement du Nid France Pierrette Pape, Policy Officer, European Women’s Lobby Stephanie Thögersen, Programme Manager, Swedish Women’s Lobby
Children’s experiences of VAW ➤ When? 6.15 pm-7.45 pm Mon, March 10th, 2014 ➤ Where? Boss Room of the Church Center for the United Nations (777 United Nations Plaza)
Sweden as an extraordinary example ➤ When? 2.30 pm-4 pm Tue, March 11th, 2014 ➤ Where? Ballroom 2 of the Armenian Convention Center (630 2nd Ave, NY, NY)
SKR is the Swedish Association of Women’s Shelters and Young Women’s Empowerment Centres, a national association of women’s shelters (kvinnojour), young women’s empowerment centres (tjejjour), relatives’ associations and other organisations working to prevent and put a stop to men’s violence against women. The association is not affiliated to any political party or religion. SKR has over 100 member organisations.