Hadja Lahbib, the European Commission’s Member Responsible for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, stated that one in three women in the European Union (EU) experiences violence, costing up to 290 billion euros annually. The report indicates that in the EU, one in three women faces physical and sexual violence, one in five experiences physical or sexual violence from their partner or a relative, and one in eight is subjected to sexual violence.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, Lahbib presented a report serving as a roadmap for women’s rights in Europe. During her presentation, Lahbib emphasized that she will focus on improving the current situation in EU countries regarding gender-based violence, discrimination in healthcare, wage inequality, and gender disparity in politics. Lahbib highlighted the detrimental impact of violence against women in the EU, stating, “This is a poison that costs the EU 290 billion euros annually, affecting our competitiveness, prosperity, and limited budgets.”

The report provided by Lahbib also mentioned, “In the EU, one in three women faces physical and/or sexual violence, one in five experiences physical or sexual violence from their partner or a relative, and one in eight is subjected to sexual violence. Moreover, women are increasingly targeted with new forms of violence specific to the digital realm. The estimated cost of violence against women in the EU is 289 billion euros annually.”

Lahbib pointed out the higher fatality rates among women in conditions like heart attacks compared to men, attributing it not to their weaker bodies but to historical medical research prioritizing men. She stated, “This is not just a gap in science but a failure of equality in healthcare and is costing lives.” Lahbib also noted the persistence of wage inequality, mentioning that “by 2025, women still do not receive equal pay for the same work as men. Women earn an average of 12% less per hour. It’s a bit better than last year. We are progressing slowly, but it’s still not right.”

With only 28 out of approximately 200 world leaders being women, Lahbib highlighted, “At this rate, it will take another 130 years to achieve gender balance at the top.” Lahbib’s roadmap includes long-term policy goals under titles such as “ending gender-based violence, highest health standards, equal pay and economic empowerment, work-life balance and care, equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions, high-quality and inclusive education, political participation and equal representation, and institutional mechanisms that safeguard women’s rights.”