Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality.

GBV is any type of violence based on someone’s gender from physical to emotional to financial to reproductive violence. While anybody can be a victim of GBV, women are overwhelmingly the victims.

Violence against women continues to be one of the most severe human rights violations within societies. It is deeply rooted in systemic power imbalances between women and men.

EIGE works towards the provision of evidence on GBV that can support the EU and Member States (and beyond) in their efforts to eradicate all forms of violence.

At the EU and Member States level, we support policy makers in designing and shaping policies and measures to combat GBV.

What forms does gender-based violence take?

GBV in your country: 27 country profiles to understand variations and inform administrative data collection across the EU

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Featured

How you can help build a safer Europe for young women

Every woman deserves to be and feel safe in the European Union. Yet young women are at higher risk of gender-based violence, according to new research from Eurostat, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and EIGE.
Women are owed a life free from violence. What steps are you going to take?

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Director Carlien Scheele gives an opening statement in the press briefing for the release of the EU gender-based violence survey data.

Publications

Intimate partner and domestic violence: EIGE’s data collection (2023–2024) – Methodological report

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has developed 13 indicators on intimate partner violence and domestic violence to guide the data collection efforts of the police and the justice sector. EIGE’s indicators support EU Member States to measure intimate partner violence and domestic violence and to assess the progress made to combat and monitor these forms of violence. Between...
Topics

Health

Justice

Violence
Publication date

10 Apr 2025

Available in: EN
Addressing gender-based violence in migration: How to strengthen national action plans on Women, Peace and Security across the EU

In recent years, with unprecedented migration levels and a shifting security landscape, the need to address gender-based violence (GBV) during migration journeys has become increasingly urgent in the EU. The most recent legislative achievements in combating GBV pave the way towards more gender-responsive interventions, but significant gaps remain in migration and security policies. To effectively combat GBV in the context...
Topics

Health

Justice

Migration

Violence
Publication date

27 Mar 2025

Available in: EN

From borders to safety: addressing gender-based violence in migration journeys

Sexual harassment at work threatens our health, wealth and well-being

Gender Equality Index 2024: Sustaining momentum on a fragile path

Words Matter: Our new guide on gender-inclusive language and communication

Good practices on gender mainstreaming in the European Green Deal: Towards a more gender-equal and greener Europe

Gender-responsive evaluation for a sustainable future for all

Putting gender-based violence at the centre of crisis response strategies

Counting to counter gender-based violence: Improving the collection of disaggregated administrative data

What are the biggest gender equality challenges over the next 15 years?

Gender-based violence