2016 — European Year on Combating Violence Against Women

European Year on Combating Violence Against WomenViolence against women is a very significant problem in the European Union (EU): one out of three women has been a victim of sexual and/or physical violence. Gender-based violence is a violation of women’s fundamental rights as regards dignity, equality and access to justice, and is one of the most widespread human rights violations. It has no geographical, financial, cultural or social barriers. Thus, the European Year on Combating Violence Against Women 2016 aims to tackle this major obstacle to gender equality in the EU.

Violence against women includes all acts of gender-based violence that result in (or are likely to cause) physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women. This includes threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life. Moreover, certain violent crimes affect women disproportionately, such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, stalking and domestic violence.

The European Years aim to encourage open dialogue and debate, both within and between countries of the EU. The European Year on Combating Violence Against Women 2016 will reinforce and strengthen the EU’s awareness-raising activities about gender-based violence, encouraging more open reporting of the problem. It will also focus on the development of practical measures for combating violence against women, and will look to set new long-term policy objectives.

Find out more about the European Year on Combating Violence Against Women 2016

OSHwiki entry on sexual harassment and victimisation: what happens in the workplace

Infographic on sexual harassment at work

Women and safety and health at work

European Institute for Gender Equality

Forthcoming conference: A gender perspective to OSH and inspections