A statement signed by the European Commission and EU high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, emphasizes that “violence against women and girls is a full violation of human rights,” the source said.

The document, issued on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Gender Violence, celebrated every November 25, states that these abuses were already an “underground pandemic” before Covid-19 spread throughout the world, but as a consequence of confinements, cases increased significantly.

In Europe, according to the statement, one in three women aged 15 years or more has been a victim of some form of physical or sexual violence, which shows that “for many women and girls home is not a safe place” and in this sense, the Union will promote new regional legislation to prevent and fight such events.

Last, the statement pointed out that in the EU “we are intensifying our action and we call on others to continue to commit and collaborate.”

jg/lcr/mem/ort