National strategy to prevent and combat men's violence against women

Progress has been made in efforts to prevent and combat men’s violence against women through the implementation of the current national strategy to prevent and combat men’s violence against women for 2017–2026. However, there is still a need to further develop this work in several areas.

Zero Vision for Lethal Violence against Women

The 2026–2035 strategy builds on previous efforts and is based on the understanding that further measures are needed to achieve the gender equality policy objectives concerning violence, oppression and exploitation. These efforts will be guided by a Zero Vision for lethal violence against women. The Zero Vision covers lethal violence by men against women, regardless of whether it occurs in a close relationship, in an honour-related context or without any connection to a close relationship.

Violence prevention is central to the strategy

The measures under the strategy focus on five strategic areas where there is a particular need for development:

• Violence prevention – strengthened measures with a particular focus on children and young people.
• Identifying violence and taking active measures to respond to violence, oppression and exploitation.
• Support and protection for victims of violence – improved access and greater equality throughout the country.
• Law enforcement – increased operational capacity to effectively prevent, investigate and prosecute offences.
• Preventing reoffending – development work that reaches more people.

The strategy places a clear focus on violence prevention, with the aim of emphasising that the violence must end, rather than merely be managed. Efforts must be knowledge-based and take a rights-based and victim-centred approach. The principle of non-discrimination must underpin implementation throughout.

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency to coordinate the work of government agencies

The strategy covers several forms of violence and several target groups, creating a need for cooperation between many different stakeholders. The Government has therefore instructed the Swedish Gender Equality Agency to coordinate a national cooperation structure involving 17 relevant government agencies.

Examples of the responsibilities of different government agencies under the national strategy include:

• The Swedish Gender Equality Agency will help ensure that the work of the national cooperation structure is based on the strategy’s principles and its designated strategic areas.
• The National Board of Health and Welfare will be part of the cooperation structure and will be responsible for national coordination and the provision of knowledge support in the areas of social services, health care and dental care.
• The County Administrative Boards will be part of the cooperation structure and will be responsible for regional coordination and support. They will also contribute at regional and local level to knowledge development and follow-up.
• The National Centre for Women’s Peace (NCK), Barnafrid – the National Centre for Knowledge on Violence Against Children, and other relevant stakeholders will contribute to knowledge development within the cooperation structure.
• Several government agencies, including the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, the National Board of Health and Welfare and Statistics Sweden, have also been instructed to develop indicators for monitoring the Zero Vision, the gender equality policy objectives and the national strategy.