Our goal

Prevention and combatting of domestic and gender-based violence in line with international and European human rights standards.

Rationale for the support

Domestic and gender-based violence is widespread throughout Europe and remains under-reported. The 2024 EU survey on gender-based violence conducted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), and Eurostat shows that one in three women in the EU have experienced violence at home, at work, in public or online.

The violence can be of an economic, psychological, physical, or sexual nature. It may also be technology facilitated. All people can experience the harms of such violence, with women and girls the most impacted. Too frequently, the violence leads to loss of life.

Prevention will save lives and reduce trauma and other impacts of violence, and will promote social and economic progress.

The Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) serve as a reference and guideline for the EEA and Norway Grants’ efforts in this area. The EU Directive on gender-based violence (Directive (EU) 2024/1385) is also relevant.

Areas of support

  • Prevention.
  • Protection.
  • Prosecution.
  • Coordinated policies.

How the objective will be addressed

Comprehensive and coordinated policies across sectors are needed to effectively prevent and combat domestic and gender-based violence. Strengthening capacity, building knowledge and understanding, advocacy, and awareness raising are important means to this end.

The safety, rights and needs of victims must be at the heart of all efforts. Victims from marginalised or socially excluded communities may need tailored measures to have equal access to protection, support and justice. This calls for an intersectional approach.

Addressing root causes is key to stopping the use of violence. Challenging stereotypes and engaging men and boys enhance prevention efforts. Offering services to perpetrators of violence or persons at risk of using violence is especially important.

Protection and support of victims who have experienced violence is a critical area to address. Effective coordination and cooperation at local level is particularly important to provide safety and to help victims of violence to recover, for example by providing ‘one-stop-shop’ services.

Gender-sensitive and victim-centred investigations and judicial proceedings to secure the prosecution of perpetrators will be supported. Policy coordination will contribute to a common understanding of the violence and its root causes and increase the likelihood of reaching common policy goals and measures. Mechanisms designated to coordinate, implement, monitor, and evaluate national policies, including data collection and research and international cooperation, are important tools for ensuring progress.
 

Key actors and beneficiaries

Public entities at national and local levels are the main stakeholders. International and civil society organisations are vital partners.

The main beneficiaries will be women and children in vulnerable situations, including those who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Perpetrators of violence may also benefit.