EU Council adopts first-ever EU law combating violence against women

The Council has given the green light to an EU directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence on May 6^th 2024. Taking decisive action against these acts of violence is essential to ensure the values and fundamental rights of equality between women and men and of non-discrimination. The law requires all EU countries to criminalise female genital mutilation, forced marriage and cyber violence such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The new law also contains measures to prevent violence against women and domestic violence and sets standards for the protection of victims of these crimes.

Member states have three years from the entry into force of the directive to transpose it into national law.

Read the main elements of the law in the official press release

Learn more about the EU measures to end violence against women