In his first Vlog for the Malta Independent, on the occasion of International Women's Day, MEP Francis Zammit Dimech speaks about the EU's strategy against early and forced marriages, a practice which is considered to be form of violence against women.

Zammit Dimech who is serving as EPP Group Rapporteur on this matter, said that early and forced marriages are linked to high rates of maternal mortality and deprive persons concerned from continuing their studies.

In his recommendations, Zammit Dimech called on EU and Member states to work with law enforcement authorities and judicial systems in third countries and to provide training and technical assistance to help with the adoption and enforcement of the legislation prohibiting early and forced marriages.

Earlier this week Zammit Dimech, a member of the Human Rights Committee at the European Parliament, joined a delegation of MEPs participating in the spring session of the UN Human Rights Council. He said that although 70 years have gone by since the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted, we are still far from where one can speak of an absolute respect for fundamental human rights, and therefore this issue requires ongoing commitment.