Violence against women has worryingly increased during the lockdown measures due to COVID-19. According to WHO, emergency services across Europe have recorded a rise of up to 60% in calls from victims of domestic violence during confinement. Renew Europe says enough!

On 15 July, the Renew Europe Group launched its 10-point action plan to combat violence against women during the pandemic and during the recovery that lies ahead. The plan includes a call for the development of a new “EU Protocol on Violence against Women in Times of Crisis and Emergency”, as well as outlining the key areas for action and essential protection services for victims which must be ensured and improved, including how to help raise awareness of gender-based violence. You can find the whole action plan here.

Soraya Rodríguez Ramos MEP, Member of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, outlines the group’s initiative:

“Violence against women is not a new phenomenon. However, during the COVID-19 emergency, confinement has trapped victims – both women and children – all day under the same roof with their aggressors. The health emergency cannot allow the most fundamental rights to be put on hold. That is why we from Renew Europe are launching an action plan with concrete proposals. We urgently need to combat violence against women in all its forms – during this crisis and beyond.”

Samira Rafaela MEP, Coordinator of the Committee on Women’s Right and Gender Equality, added:

"The COVID-19 crisis has shown to us that we need a better approach for women and girls who are victims of domestic violence. Therefore, we need coordinated action at EU level. I am happy to see Renew Europe leading in this. We need to understand that women’s rights are human rights and if we really want to protect women and girls in Europe, then we also need to unblock the Istanbul convention."