Study Report EN (available in English)
Study Report RO (available in Romanian)
Study Report BG (available in Bulgarian)
Study Report ES (available in Spanish)
Study Report IT (available in Italian)
Study Report GR (available in Greek)
Violence against women is a global pandemic phenomenon, which knows no social
and economic boundaries and it affects women from all socio-economic backgrounds. The
problem has to be addressed by all countries.
Violence against women represents a severe violation of human rights and it is rooted
in women’s inequality in the society. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple
physical, psychological, social, economic consequences. It does not only affect the victims,
but also the community and countries at large.
Violence against women can fit into several broad categories. It includes violence
committed by individuals or by states. Some forms of violence committed by individuals are,
for example, rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, mob violence, honour killings and
female genital mutilation. There are also forms of violence perpetrated or condoned by
certain states such as war rape, forced sterilization, forced abortion, stoning and flogging.
It is difficult to estimate the full extent of violence against women, because it is still
under-reported and stigmatized. It is unacceptable that many women still suffer in silence
from crimes that wreck their lives, as many illegal acts often remain undisclosed.
Collaboration among stakeholders at national and international level must be
strengthened and concrete strategies should be effectively put into practice in order to
protect women against violence and to severely punish the perpetrators.
The purpose of this publication is to highlight the situation of violence against women
in several European Union countries and to highlight common difficulties in ensuring better
rights protection. Also, through this publication, a series of recommendations and strategies
will be presented on how to improve the current legislative framework, as well as social and
educational issues that play an important role in the fight against violence.
The publication has been written as part of the project JUSTICE FOR WOMEN –
Towards a more effective rights protection and access to judicial procedures for victims of
crimes, implemented with the financial support of the Justice Programme of the European
Union. The project is coordinated by Pro Refugiu Association Romania in partnership with
Center for the Study of Democracy Bulgaria, Demetra Association Bulgaria, Centre for
European Constitutional Law Greece, Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights, Trabe
Iniciativas para la Economia Social y Solidaria Association Spain.