Make 2016 a European Year to End Violence against Women and Girls.

Although seven women die every day from domestic violence in the EU, to date, the European Union (EU) has no binding legislation regarding violence against women.

This is critical, as violence affects approximately 45 per cent of all women across Europe.

An estimated one-fifth of women in the EU suffer from violence within the home and more than one in ten women is a victim of sexual violence involving the use of force.

The EU therefore needs to raise awareness on the issue and affirm its political commitment to end violence against women.

Violence against women is a human rights issue.

The Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) network – a Network NGO composed mostly of European women’s non-governmental organizations working in the field of combating violence against women and children – is among the groups supporting a petition by the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) calling on the current and future Presidents of the European Commission to establish 2016 as European Year to End Violence against Women and Girls.

By establishing a European Year to End Violence against Women and Girls, the EU would play a leading role in raising awareness on violence against women, and at the same time propose concrete measures to act against the perpetuation of violence against women.

EU Years are key policy tools to develop strong policies and involve all actors on a specific issue.

On 25 February 2014 the European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution from MEP Antonyia Parvanova, vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, demanding EU action to combat violence against women – including an EU Year.

The European Women’s Lobby and its 2000 member organisations in 31 European countries want to see such a Year established in 2016

To do this, they need to prove to the EU institutions that everyone cares about it and that everyone wants a Europe free from violence.

Please sign the petition.