Migration to the European Union (EU) has increased significantly in recent years, driven by conflict, climate change and geopolitical instability. While global data is limited, available evidence indicates that these crises disproportionately impact women and girls, increasing their exposure to gender-based violence (GBV).
Migrants – particularly those who are forcibly displaced or undocumented or face intersecting forms of discrimination – are at greater risk of sexual, physical, psychological and economic violence. The most recent legislative achievements in combating GBV pave the way towards more gender-responsive interventions in the EU, but significant gaps remain in migration and security policies, and fragmented responses.
This section provides information about EIGE’s recent research on gender-based violence in the context of migration.
EIGE’s publications on GBV in migration
Responding to gender-based violence in the context of migration: Mapping EU Member States’ policies and actions
This report presents findings from a 2024 study that mapped laws, policies and frameworks in place to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in the context of migration and migration-causing crises.
The study mapped and analysed global, EU and national-level approaches, with the latter focusing on seven EU Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Croatia, Malta and Finland.
The findings highlight persistent gaps in coordination, protection and gender sensitivity, as well as promising practices that can guide more coherent and survivor-centred responses to gender-based violence in migration.
Addressing gender-based violence in migration: How to strengthen national action plans on Women, Peace and Security across the EU
This policy brief analyses how strengthening national action plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) by EU Member States – alongside EU and other international instruments – can contribute to building a more comprehensive, coordinated and gender-responsive approach to protecting women and girls who are migrants, asylum seekers and refugees from gender-based violence in the EU.