How to Effectively Combat Violence against Women within the European Union (EU) and Beyond?

The adoption of EU guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them marks the EU’s clear political will to treat the subject of women’s rights as a priority and to take long-term action in this field within and beyond the EU. The EU guidelines identify three inseparable aims to combat violence against women: prevention of violence, protection of and support for victims and prosecution of the perpetrators of such violence. The implementation of these guidelines must have coordinated strategies and forceful institutional mechanisms.  Only few days before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and almost one year after the adoption of the EU guidelines this seem to be the right moment to discuss the EU response to violence against women.
 
What relevant steps has the EU undertaken to combat violence against women?

What seem to be effective measures to combat violence against women?

Are the Guidelines an adequate tool for EU representations to advance EU Human Rights policies?
Can the impact of the EU guidelines be enhanced within the EU and beyond?

What can stakeholders contribute and learn from the method adopted within the EU?

Speakers:
- Davide Zaru, European Commission, DG Relex, Human Rights and Democratisation
- Alba Garcia Sànchez, Director, Security Program against gender violence, Generalitat de Catalunya
- Mirta Kennedy, Director, Centro de Estudios de la Mujer, Honduras (CEM-H)

Chair:
Patricia Jimenez, Heinrich Boll Foundation EU Office