Gender-based violence

The theme

Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive manifestations of gender inequality. It is not an isolated incident or an emergency phenomenon, but a structural phenomenon that is part of our societies and affects women and girls in all their diversity.

Gender-based violence is a human right violation that differs from general violence as it is directed towards individuals or groups on the basis of their gender. It includes physical and sexual violence, but also forms of psychological or institutional violence that perpetrate gender stereotypes, limiting self-determination and human development. One of the most widespread forms of sexual and gender-based violence is violence against women and girls, as these constitute the majority of survivors. However, men and boys can also suffer sexual violence or abuse, as well as discrimination related to their sexual orientation.
According to an EU survey on gender-based violence conducted from 2020 to 2024 by Eurostat (the EU’s statistical office), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), one third of women in the EU have experienced gender-based violence at home, at work or in public. However, violence against women often remains invisible as only one in four women report the facts to the authorities (the police, or social and health services).