Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, 45% of women worldwide have reported that they or a woman they know has experienced a form of violence, a 2021 UN Women report found. Around 70% said they thought that verbal or physical abuse by a partner has become more common, and 60% felt that sexual harassment in public spaces has worsened.
The situation is no less severe in Europe, where countering gender-based violence against women (GBVAW) has been a high priority for the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. With International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women taking place on 25 November, it is important to take stock of EU legislation on fighting GBVAW and at what has – or has not – to be done to push member states to take real action to eradicate the phenomenon.
