MEP Frances Fitzgerald and her Fine Gael colleagues in the European Parliament have warmly congratulated Women’s Aid on winning the European Citizen’s Prize 2021, following a nomination by the MEPs for the charity’s “Too Into You” campaign.
“It is most appropriate that Women’s Aid are this year’s recipient of the European Citizen’s Prize given the shocking rise in domestic violence in Ireland and across Europe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Women’s Aid are most deserving of this award and our Fine Gael delegation was proud to nominate them in recognition of their frontline support and vital work. This award increases awareness at EU level of initiatives to address domestic violence in Ireland, 1 in 6 young women have suffered coercive control in Ireland and we are proud to be a leader within the EU in recognising and addressing this crime.” said Frances Fitzgerald, co-ordinator of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the European Parliament.
The #TooIntoYou campaign was a National Public Information and Awareness Campaign on intimate relationship abuse among young people aged 18-25 run by Women’s Aidto reach the one in five young women who need support due to the heightened risk of intimate relationship abuse, including online abuse, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The European Citizens’ Prize is given in recognition of exceptional achievements in promoting EU values or cross-border cooperation, and will be presented to Women’s Aid at a public ceremony in the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Dublin. The European Parliament will host a second ceremony in Brussels in November for all laureates from across the EU. This will be in conjunction with the 2020 ceremony, which was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
