Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 20, 2025 Healthcare
Around 28.6 per cent of women and girls over 15 years of age experience physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, yet health care for victims in most countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region remains fragmented and limited.
This is stated in a new report from the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Healthcare systems in countries in the region, which includes Europe and Central Asia, do not provide even the basic set of services recommended by WHO.
Crisis situation
European Bureau Director Hans Kluge noted the crisis nature of the situation: “The problem of violence against women and girls has reached crisis levels, and our health systems are often the first and only point of contact for victims.”
"Our data show that political commitments to protect the health and well-being of women and girls and to end gender-based violence do not translate into safe and accessible health care," he said.
Kluge called on politicians to move from declarations to real action and implement a full range of services in countries in the region, including assistance for women who have survived rape and safe abortions.
Key findings of the report
An analysis of 53 Member States in the WHO European Region revealed significant gaps. Only 7 countries (13 percent) provide safe abortion services. Emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV are offered in 17 countries (32 percent).
Twenty countries (38 percent) offer sexually transmitted infection prevention services and conduct psycho-emotional assessments for those affected. And 23 countries (43 percent) provide referrals to psychological and psychiatric care.
Furthermore, in almost a third of the region's countries, health workers are still required to report cases of domestic violence or intimate partner violence to law enforcement without the consent of adult victims. The WHO strongly recommends abandoning this practice, as it violates confidentiality and often deters women from seeking help.
The report also highlights positive trends. Seventy-five percent of countries have implemented training for health workers to respond to violence, and 68 percent have included first aid for victims in their standard service package.
However, a lack of resources and political will hinders the implementation of the full range of WHO recommendations.
Measures recommended by WHO
The organization calls on states to make the full range of services recommended by WHO mandatory, particularly in terms of emergency care for women after rape, and to remove barriers, including eliminating mandatory police notification without the consent of victims.
It is also important to change the attitude of society towards victims, the WHO notes.
"Such a simple phrase as 'I believe you and am here to help' can make a significant difference in the healing process," said WHO specialist and report author Melanie Hyde.
The Spanish experience and the stories of the victims
The WHO report was presented today in Madrid. Spanish Health Minister Mónica García outlined the country's efforts to strengthen the role of primary health care as a key link in identifying cases of violence and supporting survivors.
A survivor of violence from the United Kingdom also spoke at the Madrid event. She emphasized the importance of a healthcare system focused on the rights and real needs of survivors: "I believe I have the right to be safe, to be heard, to be respected, and to have responses tailored to my real needs."
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