Gender Equality Index 2024: Tackling violence against women, tackling gender inequalities

The 2024 Gender Equality Index Thematic Focus by EIGE highlights the widespread and severe issue of violence against women in the EU, which remains under-reported. Despite legal progress, including the 2024 EU Directive and the 2023 Istanbul Convention, gaps persist with five Member States yet to ratify the convention.

Data shows 31% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence since age 15, with many suffering long-term health impacts. Vulnerable groups like women with disabilities, migrant women, and LGBTQI individuals face higher risks. Support services remain insufficient, and societal attitudes often tolerate or minimize violence. Experts call for a shift from response to prevention, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding, civil society involvement, and active citizen participation. The fight against gender-based violence must remain a top EU priority.

The 2024 edition of the Gender Equality Index also highlights the emerging challenges the EU is facing, from the increasing effects of climate change and extreme weather events to high geopolitical tensions, rapid digitalization, volatile political situations, and the rise of political extremism across the region. These crises not only demand the attention of decision-makers but also exacerbate long-standing gender equality issues like violence against women, making gender equality a more urgent and relevant issue than ever. Evidence shows that violence against women and girls intensifies during crises, and millions of women in the EU continue to face serious forms of violence, including physical and sexual abuse and femicide, solely because of their gender.

This report provides an in-depth overview of the current state of violence against women in the EU, examining recent legal and policy developments, presenting findings from the EU gender-based violence survey, and analyzing the extent of disclosed violence. It also explores societal attitudes and public perceptions of violence against women and the role of the media in shaping awareness. 

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