Switzerland marks violence against women day

Domestic violence claims the lives of around 25 women in Switzerland a year, according to federal authorities.

The government said on Tuesday that of the 1,067 murders between 2000 and 2004, 45 per cent were related to domestic violence.

The statement, released to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, said that of over 29,000 counselling cases in 2007, more than half involved a domestic relationship between a victim and a suspected perpetrator.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women has taken place on November 25 since 1991 and is the start of 16 days of international action.

A study by the World Health Organization said that only in one country – Japan – did less than 20 per cent of women report incidents of domestic violence.

Switzerland is combating domestic violence at the cantonal and national levels. The country’s Gender Equality Office was established in 2003.