Luxembourg launches first action plan against gender-based violence
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On 30 June 2025, the Minister for Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, launched the first National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence. The Plan (PAN), approved by the Council of Government on 20 June, is a direct response to growing concerns about the extent of gender-based and domestic violence in the country.
The plan is inspired by the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention and is based on its four pillars: prevention of violence, protection of victims, prosecution of aggressors and co-ordination of action. The PAN has eight strategic directions, including:
- training of specialists;
- information campaigns;
- Strengthening the legal defence of victims;
- the responsibility of the aggressors;
- quality assistance to both sides of the conflict;
- data collection and analysis;
- interagency management of measures;
- international solidarity.
Today, the PAN framework includes 62 projects to be implemented with the participation of 10 ministries. After three years, the plan will undergo an external performance evaluation.
"This is not just a document, but a turning point in our equality policy," Minister Backes said. According to her, the key message of the initiative - "You are not alone. Help is available" - must be backed up by real action.
The presentation also included 2024 data compiled by the Collaborative Committee of Violence Professionals. The statistics clearly show an increase in incidents:
- 1,178 police domestic violence visits (1,057 in 2023),
- 287 orders to remove the aggressor from the home (246 in 2023),
- an average of 98 police interventions and 24 evictions per month.
This indicates that despite the measures taken, domestic violence remains a social norm in a large part of society. The Minister called the data a "worrying signal", emphasising the need to strengthen both assistance to victims and prevention.
