Submission on the EU initiative on gender-based violence and domestic violence

Equality Now welcomes the European Union (EU) initiative to provide uniform standards for preventing gender-based violence, protecting victims, and punishing offenders.

The initiative is of grave importance and is timely, as it will provide an opportunity for EU law to be aligned to and integrate the standards of the Istanbul Convention as well as ensuring a holistic approach to addressing gender-based violence and violence against women and girls.

It has the potential to protect millions of vulnerable people, especially women and girls, who are disproportionately affected and prevent trauma and violence in their lives across all countries in Europe.