I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

1. This year, we mark the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s designation of November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in memory of the Mirabal sisters, who were assassinated on this day in 1960. In this context, we reaffirm our strong determination and firmest commitment to the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls.
2. Violence against women has no borders and persists in all parts of the world. Worldwide, around 140 women are intentionally killed every day by someone they know. This is one every 10 minutes. In Europe, at least 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence.
3. Violence against women and girls is a serious human rights violation and abuse. It remains pervasive in all our societies, and it is still a cause and a consequence of gender inequality.
4. The EU will continue to place the prevention and elimination of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence both online and offline, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, at the center of its efforts. The EU will also continue promoting whole-of-society efforts to engage men and boys as allies and equal beneficiaries of gender equality in ending sexual and gender-based violence, eliminating all gender inequalities, addressing discriminatory laws and combating gender stereotypes and negative social norms. 
5. We stress the need for an ambitious and transformative approach to address the root causes and risk factors of gender inequality, discrimination and violence against women and girls.
6. We underline the pioneering role of the Council of Europe, including through the Istanbul Convention, in combatting all forms of violence against women and domestic violence. The Istanbul Convention sets international standards for the prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, and domestic violence, for the protection of survivors and for the prosecution of perpetrators in a coordinated manner. It is important to recognize that the Convention offers comprehensive solutions to a complex issue, never losing sight of the human rights and needs of women-survivors.
7. The EU acceded to the Istanbul Convention in June 2023 and the Convention entered into force for the EU on 1 October 2023. The EU adopted in May 2024 a first-ever EU directive on combating violence against women. The Directive supports the EU’s international commitments to effectively prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, including, where relevant, through the Istanbul Convention.
8. In the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we express our deepest concern about violence against women and girls, including in conflict situations. In our efforts to support Ukraine and other conflict-affected areas, we continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and all violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law.
9. We commend the remarkable work of civil society, in particular women’s rights organisations and feminist movements, especially in supporting and empowering women-survivors of crimes of violence and in raising awareness for preventing and combating all forms of violence.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.