Almost ten years on since WHO Member States adopted resolution World Health Assembly (WHA)67.15 and WHA69.5 on strengthening the role of the health system in addressing violence against women, a new WHO report, “Care, courage, change: health-sector leadership in tackling violence against women and girls”, shows that the WHO European Region continues to face unacceptable levels of violence against women and girls, with urgent action required from the health sector.
In collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Health, on 20–21 November 2025, WHO/Europe will gather leading experts and policy-makers from across the Region to discuss strategies for strengthening the health sector’s role in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. Sessions will be co-led by frontline civil society and women’s organizations to guide the transformation of health systems and shape policies that truly support survivors.
- discuss priorities for implementing the Call to Action for the Special Initiative on Violence against Women and Girls made during the 75th Regional Committee by ministers of health from the Region;
- present and discuss the report “Care, courage, change: health-sector leadership in tackling violence against women and girls”; and
- share and discuss good practices and innovative solutions from across the Region with global and regional experts that will pave the way to address challenges in countries across the Region.
This event marks the 30th anniversary of the “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, not only in celebration, but in recognition that violence against women and girls remains a crisis – and that health systems must be part of the solution. The purpose of the event is to:
The event is part of WHO/Europe’s Special Initiative on Violence against Women and Girls, which aims at increasing sustainable investment, building capacity among health-care workers and enhancing multisectoral collaboration to end violence against women and girls across the Region.
For more information and queries, please write to euwho.SIVAWG@who.int.