More than 1 in 6 Belgian women has experienced intimate partner violence, WHO report finds
More than one in six Belgian women aged 15-49 has experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence from a partner, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report.
The figures come from a large-scale survey in 168 countries. Almost one third (28.9 per cent) of women in this age group have suffered violence from their partner. For Belgium, the figure is 17.2 per cent.
Violence in intimate relationships, whether physical, sexual or psychological, remains one of the most common forms of violence against women, the WHO warns. The organisation expects the true figure to be much higher, as many attacks of this nature are never reported.
"Our data shows that political efforts to protect the health and well-being of women and girls ... are not being translated into safe and accessible care"
“Violence against women and girls has reached crisis levels,” says Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe.
“Our health systems are often the first and only point of contact for victims. Our data shows that political efforts to protect the health and well-being of women and girls and end gender-based violence are not being translated into safe and accessible care.”
'Pervasive injustice'
However, the WHO commended Belgium’s National Action Plan to Combat Gender-based Violence, adopted in 2021. This allows victims to receive specialised post-traumatic psychological support in cases of domestic or intra-family violence.
The report, released ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls on 25 November, updates 2018 estimates released in 2021. It analyses data collected between 2000 and 2023 from 168 countries.
It warns that funding for support initiatives is collapsing, while humanitarian emergencies, technological shifts and rising socio-economic inequality are increasing risks for millions of women and girls.
“Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices, yet still one of the least acted upon,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general.
“No society can call itself fair, safe or healthy while half its population lives in fear. Ending this violence is not only a matter of policy; it is a matter of dignity, equality and human rights.”
Demonstrators march through Brussels on International Women's Day, 8 March 2025 © PHOTO BELPRESS
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