Why counting violence against women matters

Across Europe and Central Asia, data on violence against women (VAW) are transforming how governments, institutions and communities prevent abuse, protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. When countries invest in reliable gender data – including on intimate partner violence, femicide and digital abuse – they begin to see the full picture of women’s lived realities. And when decision-makers see the evidence, they act.

The selected cases below show how quality data are driving legislative change, strengthening services and inspiring new prevention efforts across the region.

Albania: Data on violence against women catalyse advocacy and legal change

In Albania, the 2018 national VAW survey revealed that more than half of women had experienced violence in their lifetime, including overlooked forms such as stalking, sexual harassment and dating abuse. These findings were crucial for critical amendments to the Criminal Code now explicitly recognizing psychological and dating violence and imposing stronger penalties on perpetrators. The Government also expanded survivor services, including opening the country’s first rape crisis centre.

New evidence has continued to deepen the national response. Between 2021 and 2024, Albania recorded 27 femicides, with nearly 90 per cent committed by intimate partners or family members. Recognizing the severity and patterns of these killings, the Ombudsperson – with UN Women support – established the country’s Observatory on Femicide in 2024, the first initiative of its kind in the Western Balkans. The Observatory now systematically tracks femicide cases, exposes systemic gaps in protection and prosecution, and issues concrete recommendations – including the urgent call to legally recognize femicide as a distinct criminal offence.

As Albania strengthens its response to long-standing forms of VAW, new patterns of harm are also emerging – particularly those enabled by technologies. A 2023 UN Women study found that 41 per cent of Albanian women active online experienced digital violence, leading to a nationwide campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Reaching more than 300,000 people and mobilizing influencers, institutions and private sector partners, the campaign delivered a clear message: abuse carried out through digital tools – whether via social media, messaging apps, or location tracking – is real violence, with lasting consequences for women’s safety, dignity and well-being.

In January 2026, Albania took a major step forward by adopting a new law on the “Prevention and Protection from VAW and Domestic Violence”, expanding the legal framework to address all forms of gender-based violence – including those occurring in public spaces, workplaces, politics and online. The law formally recognizes digital violence as a criminal offence, strengthens access to legal and psychosocial support and establishes a clear mechanism for the rapid removal of abusive digital content.

“The adoption of the Law is grounded in robust evidence from prevalence surveys and administrative data, which show that violence remains widespread and often underreported. This evidence has informed the development of a strengthened legal framework that addresses all forms of violence, improves access to services for survivors, and reinforces prevention efforts,” says Etleva Sheshi, Director of the Department of Gender Equality at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Albania.

Belarus: First national data reveal scope of violence against women

Belarus now has its first nationally representative VAW data following a landmark survey conducted by the National Statistical Committee (NSC) with support from UN Women and UNFPA. The study found that one in three women experienced psychological violence, while 13.9 per cent faced physical, 13.2 per cent economic and 3.1 per cent sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

“The household survey became the country’s first large‑scale national study on VAW, with a robust sample of 10,500 households. Belarus was also the first country in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia to examine the prevalence of technology‑facilitated violence,” highlighted Inna Medvedeva, Chair of the NSC of the Republic of Belarus while presenting the survey findings.

In 2025, the survey results were presented to the National Council on Gender Policy under the Council of Ministers, helping anchor national policymaking in solid evidence. They also informed the country’s new 2026–2030 National Action Plan for implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, introducing a targeted objective aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of domestic‑violence response measures and expanding support for survivors. Belarus also reported key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and 11.7.2 on VAW for the first time.

Georgia: When data expose violence, action follows

In Georgia, a 2017 VAW study revealed that one in five women had experienced sexual harassment, mainly in public spaces. These findings paved the way for the country to adopt its first legal provisions against sexual harassment in 2019.

A follow-up survey in 2023 revealed that 50.1 per cent of women aged 15–69 had experienced at least one form of violence, while reporting and help-seeking remained low. This evidence prompted swift action from the private sector. As a Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) signatory, Liberty Bank used the findings to launch internal awareness campaigns on workplace sexual harassment and organize staff-led donations to support a local women’s shelter.

Mariam* is a survivor who lived at the shelter for five months and still works in catering for its social enterprise, Gemometria.

“I always remember that with my work I am helping the women here. I also remember the time when other women did the same for me.”

A new study has also quantified the economic cost of inaction – costing Georgia over USD 1 billion annually, or 3.8 per cent of GDP, through losses in health care, productivity, employment and legal expenses, among others. These findings were amplified through a social media campaign and a high-level civil society meeting during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025.

Enhancing VAW data through regional cooperation

Across the region, the Joint SDG Fund programme Empowering equality: Strengthening gender data systems in Europe and Central Asia – implemented by UN Women, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Cooperation Office (UNDCO) – is helping countries collect more and better gender data, including on VAW. New VAW prevalence surveys underway in Kyrgyzstan and Republic of Moldova will generate nationally representative insights on the scale and nature of physical, psychological and sexual violence.

According to Viorica Timbalari, Director of the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Moldova: “Administrative data do not always capture the experiences that remain unreported. This survey will help fill that gap.”

National statistical offices are moving from one-off studies to regular, high-quality VAW data embedded in official statistics, giving policymakers a comprehensive picture of women’s realities and supporting the tracking of key national policy frameworks, including national gender equality strategies, and national action plans on VAW.

*Name changed to protect the identity of the survivor.