Given the persistence of violence and discrimination against women, on 29 November the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion aimed at tackling the root causes of this violence, in particular gender-based inequality and harmful social constructs.
This document, entitled ‘Stopping gender-based violence’, highlights the crucial role of local and regional authorities in preventing such violence and supporting victims. It draws attention to the considerable social and health costs of such violence in Europe, estimated at €289 billion a year.
The opinion recommends specific measures, such as setting up dedicated pathways for victims, improving reporting systems and facilitating access to multilingual information on rights and support services.
The document also stresses the need to include men in prevention initiatives and to challenge macho precepts through education.
The CoR recognises the progress made since the adoption of the EU strategy for gender equality in 2020 and encourages accession to the Istanbul Convention, while advocating gender mainstreaming into budgetary processes.
Read the review: https://aeur.eu/f/9ye (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)