Emphasising the State’s obligation to protect women and children from all forms of violence and to promote gender equality, on Thursday, October 16, the Saeima adopted a declaration on the prevention and elimination of domestic violence and violence against women.

The declaration, initiated by MPs, emphasizes Latvia's duty as a socially affluent country to develop a comprehensive system, policy and measures to protect and assist all victims of violence against women, children and domestic violence. The declaration also emphasises the obligation to promote international cooperation, as well as to provide support and assistance to organisations and law enforcement agencies in order to effectively implement a unified approach to eradicating violence.

In the declaration, the Saeima instructs the Cabinet of Ministers to draft a comprehensive law on the prevention and elimination of violence against women, children and domestic violence, as well as violence in general. The draft law is to apply to all victims of violence, with a special focus on women, and must be submitted by the government to the Saeima by 1 March 2026.

The declaration emphasises that, with the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, equality between both sexes – female and male – was recognized as a guiding principle for the future development of society and the country. Since the very first days of its existence, the State of Latvia has been a model for other countries in Europe and the world regarding the recognition of women's rights and the participation of women in national and societal development.

The authors of the declaration express their appreciation and pride in the high level of education of women in Latvia and their contribution to the economy, as evidenced by the fact that more than 40 percent of students in higher education in Latvia are women, and that Latvia has the highest proportion of women in business management positions.

The document, referring to international human rights declarations and treaties, condemns all forms of violence against women, children and domestic violence.

The authors also recognise that a key way to prevent violence against women is the de jure and de facto implementation of gender equality. The declaration emphasises that violence against women is one of the prevailing social mechanisms through which women are placed in a subordinate position.

The authors of the declaration accentuate that women and girls are often subjected to serious forms of violence such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape and forced marriages. Such violence, if the State does not provide its assistance, is a major violation of the human rights of women and girls, and a major obstacle to gender equality.

Saeima Press Service