Leading voices from the Monaco Government and civil society have united to address the critical issue of violence against women, reaffirming the Principality’s commitment to supporting victims and raising awareness of abuse in all its forms.
In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, held worldwide on 25th November, Monaco’s Minister of State, Didier Guillaume, brought together key figures from local government, administrative services, and civil society to discuss ongoing efforts to support victims and combat violence against women.
“Women, who are the primary victims of domestic violence, deserve to have their voices heard, listened to, and valued,” he said. “When we look at the situation globally, it’s clear this is a planetary struggle; no country is immune, and Monaco is not in a bubble.”
According to the latest publicly available data, 49 incidents of violence were reported in Monaco during the first 10 months of 2024. In comparison, 46 cases were recorded during the same period in 2023.
Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre suggested that the rise in numbers reflects women’s growing empowerment. “These numbers reflect an increase in reporting, showing that women are more willing to come forward,” he explained.
Monaco’s efforts to tackle this issue intensified after ratifying the Istanbul Convention in 2014, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing violence against women. Since then, several laws have been introduced, including recent legislation ensuring compensation for victims of sexual offences and crimes against children. The Mairie de Monaco has also appointed a team of specialist harassment officers to bolster efforts to better support victims of abuse and violence.
Meanwhile, Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, stressed that the issue goes beyond statistics.
“It’s not just about numbers; it’s a matter of principle,” he said. “Even a few cases are always too many.”
Minister of State Guillaume also expressed gratitude to the professionals and volunteers involved in this year’s campaign, which aimed to spotlight often overlooked forms of violence, such as economic violence, violence in sports, and violence against women with disabilities, under the theme of ‘invisible violence.’
“Invisible violence is even harder to combat. We are not addressing this issue simply because it is the 25th of November. We do it because we are deeply committed,” concluded Guillaume.
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Photo credit: Stephane Danna / Monaco Communications Department