WAVE Network

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WAVE Network

WAVE (Women Against Violence Europe) is a feminist network of European women NGOs promoting human rights of women and children.

10/06/2026

Violence against women does not stop at the screen.

This week, WAVE was pleased to co-organise Protecting Women from Violence in the Digital Age with the Academy of European Law (ERA), bringing together legal professionals and experts in Vienna and online to explore how legal systems can better respond to technology-facilitated violence against women.

From cyberviolence and digital consent to victim protection and trauma-informed legal responses, these conversations are essential in strengthening protections for women in increasingly digital spaces.

We were especially pleased to see WAVE Senior Manager Anca Ciupa open the seminar and contribute to discussions on legal responses to technology-facilitated violence.

04/06/2026

Across Europe, access to women’s shelters remains limited.

The WAVE Country Report 2025 shows that only 12 out of 46 countries (26%) meet the minimum standard for shelter provision.

This means that in most countries, there are not enough safe accommodation spaces available for women and children fleeing violence.

In total, there are 3,224 shelters accessible to women, providing approximately 48,860 bed spaces across Europe. While this marks some progress compared to data from the 2023 Country Report, it remains below what is needed to ensure access to safety for all survivors.

Capacity gaps are compounded by uneven geographical distribution, with many rural areas lacking access. In many cases, shelters must decline referrals because of limited space or an inability to meet survivors’ specific needs.

Women’s shelters are a core part of support systems. Feminist women’s NGOs play a crucial role, operating shelters in 38 countries through a survivor-centred approach and providing immediate protection, empowerment, and specialised support.

Read more in the WAVE Country Report 2025: https://wave-network.org/wave-country-report-2025/

03/06/2026

In May, members from across the WAVE network came together in Vienna for the Spring Advisory Board Meeting 2026.

Across several days of discussion, reflection, and exchange, members shared experiences, strengthened connections, and reflected on the realities facing women’s specialist services and feminist organisations across diverse contexts.

At a time of growing challenges, opportunities to come together, learn from one another, and think collectively feel more important than ever.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives. We’re looking forward to the important work ahead together.

💜 Learn more about WAVE and our work: wave-network.org

18/05/2026

Access to safe accommodation is a critical part of support for survivors of violence.

The WAVE Country Report 2025 shows that across Europe, more than 40% of the required shelter bed spaces are still missing.

There are currently 48,860 shelter beds available, while 84,732 are needed to meet minimum standards.

This gap means that many women and children fleeing violence may not be able to access safe accommodation when they need it. Although a recommended practice is to remove the perpetrator from the home so that women and children do not have to relocate, sufficient bed spaces in adequate geographic distribution are necessary.

Women’s shelters provide more than emergency housing. They offer protection, specialised support, and a pathway to safety and recovery.

Ensuring sufficient shelter capacity is essential.

Read more in the WAVE Country Report 2025: https://wave-network.org/wave-country-report-2025/

15/05/2026

The European Commission has published its Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030, setting the framework for advancing gender equality across the EU.

WAVE recognises important progress, including commitments on funding for women’s organisations, implementation of the Istanbul Convention, and addressing technology-facilitated violence.

At the same time, key gaps remain. The Strategy relies heavily on non-binding measures, and stronger action is needed to ensure real, lasting change for women and girls across Europe.

👉 Read WAVE’s full statement and detailed analysis here: https://shorturl.at/TzERr

09/05/2026

Europe Day is a good moment to ask what Europe really means in practice.

Every right and protection we benefit from today was built by people choosing cooperation, dialogue, and solidarity over time. That is what makes Europe work.

But we are also seeing challenges. Women’s specialist services are under pressure. Shelters and helplines are being asked to do more with limited resources, even as the need for support remains high.

Across the WAVE network, organisations continue to provide essential services every day. They support women and girls, advocate for change, and keep core European values alive in real and practical ways.

If we want a Europe that protects and supports everyone, we need to invest in these services.

This Europe Day, we celebrate what has been built and the people behind it. And we look ahead to what still needs to be strengthened.

You can support this work by sharing, engaging, or contributing to organisations working on the ground.

07/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar as part of our “Knowledge into Power” series. 💐

We were proud to launch Agents of Change, a study three years in the making. Based on the experiences of WAVE members across Europe, it highlights how women’s specialist services (WSS) respond to violence against women and girls at multiple levels.

WSS provide tailored, survivor-centred support, build partnerships and prevention efforts in communities, and play a key role in shaping policy and advocacy. Together, this multi-level approach is what makes them so effective.

At a time of increasing backlash and funding constraints, this study provides strong evidence for why specialist, feminist services are essential.

The study was developed by WAVE researchers Léa Dudouet, Elena Floriani, and Marta Konrad.

Read the study here: https://wave-network.org/agents-of-change-study/

04/05/2026

We were so happy to see so many of our members join our recent webinar on technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

With the help of Asha Allen and Marie Seck from the Center for Democracy & Technology Europe, we explored how the EU Directive on Violence against Women and the Digital Services Act can be used in practice, from understanding survivors’ rights to navigating reporting, redress, and platform accountability.

A key takeaway: technology-facilitated violence is not separate from offline violence, it is part of the same continuum of abuse.

At WAVE, addressing this is a core part of our work to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Through advocacy, awareness raising, and collaboration with experts and frontline organisations, we continue working to ensure that survivors’ experiences in digital spaces are recognised and addressed.

Thank you to CDT Europe and to everyone who joined and shared their insights. We’re excited to keep learning and building knowledge together in this space.

If you’d like to support our work, you can do so here: https://wave-network.org/donate/

30/04/2026

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, one thing remains clear:

Survivors of sexualised violence across Europe are still facing a critical lack of access to specialist support.

According to the WAVE Country Report 2025, 85% of the required specialist services are missing.
Only around 600 centres exist, while over 3,500 are needed.

This gap has real consequences. In many cases, reaching out for specialist help does not mean support is available.

Raising awareness matters. But ensuring access to survivor-centred, trauma-informed services is what truly makes a difference.

Read more: https://wave-network.org/wave-country-report-2025/

29/04/2026

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Portal powstał, dzięki wsparciu finansowemu Women Against Violence Europe WAVE Network

Adresse

Wien

Telefon

+4315482720

Webseite

https://www.wave-network.org/

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