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

GBV refers to any type of violence based on someone’s gender which can result in 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.

Types of violence

Physical violence

Any act which causes physical harm as a result of unlawful physical force. Physical violence can take the form of, among others, serious and minor assault, deprivation of liberty and manslaughter.

Sexual violence

Any sexual act perfomed on an individual without their consent. Sexual violence can take the form of rape or sexual assault.

Psychological violence

Any act which causes psychological harm to an individual. Psychological violence can take the form of, for example, coercion, defamation, verbal insult or harassment.

Economic violence

Any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony.

Women in the EU disclose that...

  • 1 in 3 
    experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime

  • 1 in 3 
    were sexually harassed at work

  • 1 in 5 
    face physical or sexual violence from their partner

But only..

  • 1 in 8 
    reported the incident to the police

  • 1 in 5 
    contacted a doctor or social services

  • 1 in 20 
    called a helpline or victim support service

Violence against women is an underreported epidemic

Stigma, shame and a lack of robust specialised support services can be barriers to reporting. As a result, we still only have a 'tip of the iceberg' understanding of the scale and prevalence of violence against women.

  1. Actual prevalence & incidence of violence

    grey zone

  2. Disclosed violence

    survey-based data

  3. Reported violence

    administrative data

What EIGE is doing to end gender-based violence

Without reliable data and insights, GBV remains a hidden epidemic in plain sight. EIGE is supporting decision-makers by providing comparable data, common EU definitions and technical assistance to Member States for stronger action to eradicate GBV.

  • Filling in data gaps
  • Developing common definitions and frameworks
  • Studying emerging and understudied forms of violence
  • Supporting national level authorities
  • Studying the intersection of GBV with other forms of discrimination

Frequently asked questions about gender-based violence

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Topics
  • Violence