Gender-based violence to be addressed at the Fifth European Parliament Gender Equality Week

Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, announcing the 5th European Gender Equality Week.

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Gender Equality Week, and Lina Gálvez, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, made the following statement:

“Today, violence against women regretfully remains a critical human rights violation in Europe that cannot be denied. In the European Parliament, we have been fighting for the elimination of this violence, including through the historic EU accession to the Istanbul Convention and the adoption of the first-ever directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence in April 2024.

“As a requirement of the Istanbul Convention, an EU survey on gender-based violence against women and other forms of inter-personal violence (EU-GBV) has been conducted by Eurostat, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). The survey covers psychological, physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner, physical and sexual violence by a non-partner, sexual harassment at work, violence experienced in childhood, and stalking.

“Today, we have received the results and it is clear that our efforts need to continue and legislation has to deliver in practice. By wearing the colour orange today, we demonstrate that it is our joint responsibility to denounce violence, help victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

“The fifth edition of the annual European Gender Equality Week will take place between 9 and 15 December 2024, with one of the main topics being violence against women and their safety, both online and offline.

“By tirelessly highlighting the challenges and scrutinising the implementation of agreed measures and future initiatives, MEPs are contributing to a safer and equal Europe for all women.”

Background

The European Parliament will participate in the UN's 'Orange the World' campaign to end violence against women and girls by lighting up the its building in Strasbourg in orange on 25 November and display an orange flag.

In October 2020 the European Parliament decided to hold for the first time European Gender Equality Week. This initiative is now a standing annual event and includes numerous external stakeholders also joining in. Additional information is available in the dedicated European Gender Equality Week webpage.

With strong support and consent by the European Parliament, the EU joined the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on 1 October 2023.

In April 2024, the European Parliament approved the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Member states have until 14 June 2027 to make the necessary changes in their national legislation.