A call for action on gender-based violence across our regions

On 25 November, ILGA-Europe stands with all women, girls and gender-diverse people facing gender-based violence. Across Europe and Central Asia, our communities continue to confront violence rooted in sexism, racism and LGBTI-phobia, yet they also continue to organise, protect one another and demand justice.

This year’s Annual Review and the events of recent days show how urgently change is needed. 

• In France, we saw a lesbophobic attack and two transfemicides within a single week. 
• In Georgia, celebrity trans woman Kesaria Abramidze was murdered the day after the anti LGBTI law passed, and renowned activist Nata Talikishvili was later attacked with a brick. 
• In Germany, Afghan trans women were violently assaulted twice in one week. In Italy, two trans women were attacked by a group of young men while bystanders watched. In Moldova, a lesbian woman was assaulted by an Interior Ministry guard. 
• In Russia, police beat and robbed a migrant trans sex worker before deporting her. 
• In Spain, two trans women in Valencia were attacked in the same morning.

Today, Turkey sentenced long time trans activist Janset Kalan on so called “obscenity charges” for the alleged visibility of her legs and cleavage in a photograph shared by someone else. Her case reflects a wider pattern of profiling, judicial harassment and efforts to silence trans women and the LGBTI movement.

Over the weekend in Kazakhstan, LGBTI activists were attacked, stalked and detained after intruders disrupted a community event. LGBTI activist Ardzh was tortured while in custody. Zhanar from Feminita and Temirlan from Queer.kz were followed by the same group before being detained and now face fines or charges.

And in Kyrgyzstan, a trans woman activists apartment was surrounded by aggressive young men. When she sought police protection, officers ignored her requests and left the perpetrators untouched. Community organisers from Kol Kabysh stepped in, supported her and helped her relocate to a safer place. Their solidarity shows how powerful our movements are even when institutions fail.

These stories are not here to create despair. They remind us that violence is not inevitable. It is the result of political choices and systems that refuse to value all lives equally. They also show the courage and strength of our communities who keep resisting, keep protecting one another and keep pushing for change.

We call on governments across Europe and Central Asia to strengthen protections, ensure access to justice and address the root causes of gender based violence. Everyone deserves to live free from fear.

Today and every day, we stand alongside our communities and remain committed to building safer and more equal societies for all.