Madrid, 25 November 2025. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) once again joins the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, reaffirming the role of universities as proactive agents in the fight against all forms of this violence.
According to data from UN Women, one in eight women between the ages of 15 and 49 has experienced violence by a partner in the past year. However, where there are robust legislative frameworks, support services and systems in place, prevalence rates are 2.5 times lower. In Spain, despite developed prevention systems, 36 women have been killed this year by current or former partners.
Aligned with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)—a key international reference in defending women’s human rights, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year—CRUE recognises that gender-based violence remains a serious obstacle to women’s freedom and physical integrity.
Despite progress, such violence persists in multiple forms, often invisible, and adapts to new social and technological contexts. Therefore, an integrated and cross-sectoral approach is required, addressing not only the most visible manifestations but also those operating in more subtle ways.
In Spain, we trust that the renewal of the State Pact against Gender-based Violence, carried out in February, will help strengthen the institutional commitment by expanding prevention, protection, reparation and recognition measures to address previously unattended forms of violence—including vicarious, economic and digital violence—thus broadening the scope of action.
These challenges demand a coordinated response in which universities play an essential role as generators of knowledge, critical awareness and civic commitment. As higher education institutions, we have an ethical and social responsibility to contribute to the elimination of violence against women through education, research and institutional action.
Within this context, Spanish universities have equality units and specific protocols for the prevention and response to violence against women, and implement training, awareness-raising and research programmes on this issue. Through these structures we not only provide support and accompaniment to victims, but also work to foster an institutional culture of respect, equity and shared responsibility, actively contributing to social change through knowledge and education.
For these reasons, we are called upon to continue advancing policies of equality and prevention of gender-based violence, and on this day we proclaim our determination to be spaces of freedom and respect, reaffirming our commitment to building a future free of violence against women.
