Europe will propose a specific law against gender violence

The European Union (EU) will propose a specific law against gender violence this year, announced this Wednesday the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who noted that the pandemic was an “especially terrible” period for women.

«Women must be able to live freely and independently again. We will have a law to combat violence against women before the end of the year,” Von der Leyen said during a speech to the European Parliament.

«Freedom (…) also means being free from fear. Too many women were deprived of this freedom during the pandemic. “It was an especially terrible moment for those who had nowhere to hide, who had nowhere to flee from their tormentors,” she said.

Therefore, he added, “we have to bring light to this darkness, we have to show ways out of the pain, his tormentors have to be brought to justice.”

According to Von der Leyen, the proposed EU legislation will focus on “effective law enforcement, prevention and protection.” This protection will also apply to online attacks.