Introducing the latest Gender Equality Index thematic focus: a vital reminder to end violence against women

New Gender Equality Index Thematic Focus highlights the scale of violence against women and the path forward Violence against women in the European Union is not just a social issue—it is a human rights crisis. According to EIGE’s latest Gender Equality Index 2024 Thematic Focus, gender-based violence remains prevalent, severe and under-reported across the EU. While the EU has taken strong legal steps, the fight for real progress requires urgent action from policymakers, civil society, and the public.“Violence against women is rooted in control, dominance and inequality. As the EU’s only gender equality agency, we must take a lead in working towards ending violence against women says EIGE Director Carlien Scheele. Read alongside last year’s EU gender-based violence survey and the Eurobarometer survey on gender stereotypes - Violence against women, EIGE’s Thematic Focus is at the heart of upcoming action.“Data is a ‘must-have’,” says Maria Mollica, who leads the EU Directorate-General for Justice team focusing on gender-based violence.“Without data we cannot justify policy initiatives, data must be at the basis of any action that the Union takes.“Inputs like the Gender Equality index Thematic Focus from EIGE serve the Commission’s work. The data analysis gives us more refined information on the phenomenon of gender-based violence.”The reality: Violence against women is widespread and underreported EIGE’s latest composite measure of violence against women, based on EU-wide...