Is the elimination of violence against women a realistic goal for the near future?

Gracia, E. (2026). Is the elimination of violence against women a realistic goal for the near future? Nature Communications, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74656-y

Abstract:

As 2030 approaches, achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women, appears increasingly unrealistic. Using the European Union as a case study, this Perspective argues that prevalence remains high, progress has stagnated, levels can be disproportionately high in some of the most socioeconomically advanced and gender-equal countries, and prevention efforts seem unable to reach younger generations. Together, these patterns suggest that prevention and response efforts, as implemented to date, have not produced sustained population-level reductions. Achieving measurable declines will require scaling evidence-based prevention with sustained political will and stronger accountability.