I think everything has to start with an understanding of how prevalent this violence is

and that it is preventable and that we can stop this. Welcome back to Europa Felix.

Back in 2020, a European Commission adopted its gender equality strategy for the next five years.

Its aim? To achieve a Europe where gender-based violence, sex discrimination and structural inequality between women and men are a thing of the past.

We're now in 2006, and it's fair to say there is still a lot of work to do.

In a recent EU-wide survey, one in three women reported having experienced physical or sexual violence

at some point in her life. Sit with that for a moment. One in three. Much of this violence

remains underreported and under-prosecuted, and too little is being done to prevent it. So what exactly is the European Union doing to combat violence against women?

To answer that question, I'm joined by Lusa Koste.

She works in the European Commission's DG Justice,

where she focuses on gender-based violence,

an issue she has worked on for many years at EU level, at the United Nations, and as a public

prosecutor in Sweden. In our conversation, we discuss how widespread violence against women is

and how it shows up in everyday life both offline and online. We look at the EU succession to

the Istanbul Convention and the new directive on combating violence

against women, what they change and what they require states to do. We also touch on how these

legal tools have been misrepresented and weaponized in debates around gender and sexuality,

and we step back to reflect on the deeper causes of gender-based violence and the societal shifts

it would take to reduce it. And just before we begin, if you or someone close to you is affected

by violence against women or domestic violence and needs support, help is available. In some EU

countries, you can call 116-016 for free and confidential support.

If that number isn't available where you live, please check the list of national helplines

...