Following an exchange of views, the Employment and Social Affairs Council adopted, on 8 March, conclusions proposed by the Spanish EU Presidency with regard to violence against women in the European Union, calling for the introduction of an emergency telephone number and a European observatory. “The conclusions adopted show a common commitment and the desire to establish a European framework to combat violence against women,” declared Célestino Corbacho Chaves, the Spanish minister of labour and immigration and president of this 3,000th Council session.

Via their conclusions, ministers called upon the European Commission to take the first steps towards establishing a European observatory on violence against women, given the lack of reliable data and updates. This will build on existing institutional structures “in order to avoid duplication”. On the other hand, they proposed the introduction of a common and free telephone number “that could be used in member states to offer specific and updated information and assistance to the victims of violence against women”. During the debate, several ministers also stressed the importance of preventive measures, including awareness campaigns, the protection of victims, including children, and effective sanctions against the perpetrators of violence against women. Several ministers said they were in favour of including this issue in the EU’s external policies, since female genital mutilation and other forms of violence are sometimes imported from non-EU countries.

On 27 and 28 March, Valencia will host a Spanish and African women’s conference.