Illustrative stock photo (source: DPA/TASR)
A few weeks ago, the case of a woman who was beaten by her ex-boyfriend in March went viral. She suffered black eyes, a broken nose, cut lip and post trauma. A man who caused her health issues was fined with €1,500.
Edina Váradyová is one of the women who are not afraid to go public to point out violence against women. However, there are still many who are experiencing physical or mental violence and keeping it to themselves.
Violence against women is the most widespread violation of human rights. One third of women in the world are estimated to have experienced violence in their life, based on statistics cited by the European Commission.
“Viewing harassment or violence against women as something normal and acceptable is wrong and has to change,” the statement reads. Women are exposed to violence everywhere – at home, school, work, street, public transport or Internet. About half of the women in the EU experienced verbal, physical or online sexual assault, the statement continued.
Events to point out violence against women are taking place between November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and December 10, Human Rights Day, also in Slovakia.
Stories published in the Slovak media in the last two years show that 13 women were murdered by their husbands or partners, the non-governmental organisation Fenestra stated. Most of those women died because they wanted to leave the relationship where they experienced violence. In several cases, their children witnessed the murders.
Murders are the most serious consequence of violence against women.
