The End of Violence Against Women Remains Out of Reach

As 2030 approaches, the goal of eradicating all forms of violence against women seems increasingly unrealistic. In Europe, nearly one in three women has experienced physical violence, threats, or sexual assault in their lifetime. This alarming reality is not limited to the least developed regions: even in the most economically advanced and egalitarian countries, such as Finland, Sweden, or Denmark, the figures remain particularly high, sometimes exceeding 50%.

Domestic violence, the most common form, affects millions of women, but attacks by individuals outside the relationship are also widespread. In Sweden, for example, nearly one in three women reports having experienced sexual violence from a stranger. Recent surveys reveal a troubling truth: despite decades of public policies, awareness campaigns, and strengthened laws, progress in reducing such violence has been minimal, if not nonexistent.

Worse still, younger generations do not appear to be better protected. In Europe, women aged 18 to 29 report even higher rates of violence than the average, with a prevalence of 35%. Sexual violence in the workplace, online harassment, and new forms of cyberviolence—such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images or deepfakes—add to this already grim picture. These digital forms of violence, easy to commit and difficult to combat, particularly affect young women and risk worsening the situation further.

Experts emphasize that this violence is not inevitable. It reflects and reinforces persistent inequalities between men and women. Even in countries where gender equality is most advanced, pockets of vulnerability remain, linked to economic inequalities, discriminatory social norms, or gaps in law enforcement. The Nordic paradox, where highly egalitarian societies exhibit high levels of violence, illustrates this complexity well.

Solutions exist: educational programs, victim support, stricter laws, and better coordination among public services have proven effective. However, their large-scale and long-term implementation is lacking. A lack of political will and democratic backsliding in some countries are hindering progress. Without strong and sustained commitment, the goal of a society free from violence against women will remain a pious wish.

Violence against women is not decreasing. It persists, evolves, and affects all layers of society. The tools to end it are known, but their application remains insufficient. Without concerted and ambitious action, this silent epidemic will continue to claim victims.

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Original Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74656-y

Title: Is the elimination of violence against women a realistic goal for the near future?

Journal: Nature Communications

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Enrique Gracia