On Friday, 24 November 2023, President Čaputová and dozens of public figures called for an end to violence against women on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

"the 25th of November - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls points to a severe problem that even Slovakia is failing to address. According to the most current findings, almost half of our women have experienced mental, physical or sexual violence from their partners. Almost 20% have experienced physical violence and more than 7% have experienced sexual violence just because they are women. According to police statistics for the last six years, women accounted for 86% of victims of domestic violence, two-thirds of the victims of serious threats, and 90% of the victims of rape and sexual violence. During this period, 52 women were murdered or killed by their partners. Since the pandemic, women’s counselling centres and hotlines have been drawing attention to the growth of the intensity and life-threatening violence experienced by their clients. 

Mental, sexual and financial violence against women and girls is based on the perpetrator’s beliefs that he has the right to behave in a superior manner and to humiliate or control the woman or girl through violence. The violator does not consider a woman to be equal in rights and dignity.
Violence against women thrives when society tolerates or even justifies it. It cannot be prevented if the way to justice and help is complicated and long. This problem is exacerbated for women who suffer economic inequality and poverty, which prevents them from leaving their abusers. And it is fuelled by aggression in public spaces against women who face verbal attacks, threats of physical violence and rape.  Let us not allow violence against women and girls to spread in our country. We do not want more tragedies that traumatize our society and create an atmosphere of fear. There are many women, men, girls and boys in Slovakia, who naturally consider violence against women in any shape or form as unacceptable. There can be more of us if we lead by example, by our everyday stances and with resolute voices to ensure that girls and women in Slovakia can live their lives in equality and without violence.

Together we have the opportunity and power to change Slovakia. Let’s make use of it.”