Press Release

Joint statement ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Joint statement ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the FRA and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

Violence against women is a violation of human rights, and as such continues to act as a significant barrier to full gender equality. Gender-based violence is fundamentally rooted in gender inequality and impacts on the future of women and of men in Europe.

In recognition of the continued lack of comprehensive and comparable data on the scale and nature of violence against women across the EU, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, in cooperation with the European Institute for Gender Equality, is embarking on survey research to collect data on violence against women. The FRA will utilise its experience of having conducted large-scale surveys, together with its in-house expertise in the field of violence against women and in consultation with a range of experts including the EIGE, in the development of a survey instrument on violence against women. After a preparatory test-phase in 2011, the FRA will launch the survey to explore women's experiences of physical, sexual and psychological violence during their lifetime.

The cooperation arrangement between EIGE and FRA will make it possible to pool resources and share valuable expertise and data in the pursuit of this goal.

Find the full statement in 23 languages available below for download.

Read also more in the press release.