24/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – To combat violence against women, on Thursday 24 November, the European Commission announced the establishment of a standardised European helpline number (116 016). This measure is in line with the Strategy for Gender Equality 2020–2025 and the proposal for a directive aimed at combatting violence against women (see EUROPE 13069/10). Member States have until the end of April 2023 to connect their national helplines with the European number. So far, only 15 countries have committed to doing it. On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borell, condemned all forms of violence against women. “It is unacceptable in the 21st century that women and girls continue to be abused, harassed, raped, mutilated or forced into marriage”, he said. (HS)