This submission highlights sex-based violence as a distinct form of male violence rooted in sex-based discrimination. It criticises the shift to gender-based terminology, which has diluted focus on violence targeting women. The submission addresses forced marriage (FM), female genital mutilation (FGM), and medicalised harm through so-called “sex transitions,” emphasising the specific vulnerabilities of migrant women. Structural and legal barriers limit their protection, while inadequate policies and data collection further exacerbate risks.
ENoMW also exposes the normalisation of sexual violence through pornography and digital abuse, alongside the broader erasure of women in law and language, which weakens sex-specific protections. It warns against the dangers of mixed-sex asylum facilities and the lack of targeted policies for migrant women. Calling for a renewed focus on sex-based protections, ENoMW urges legal and policy reforms to combat violence against women and girls effectively.