"We need to stop viewing violence against women as a problem which only affects women. In its entirety it is a grave social and public health issue, due to both its magnitude and the serious repercussions it carries for the collective safety and health of families and society." Elena Salgado, Minister of Health, Spain and President of the World Health Assembly 2005, in her editorial to "Responding to Violence against Women", the new Entre Nous - The European Magazine for Sexual and Reproductive Health (No 61). This special issue on violence against women published by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA) is a contribution to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, the international campaign to end violence against women. This campaign bridges between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), the World AIDS day (1 December), and the International Human Rights day (10 December). The theme of this year's campaign, "For the health of Women, for the health of the World: NO MORE VIOLENCE", offers an opportunity to more strongly engage the public health community. The Entre nous issue "Responding to violence against Women" sheds light on violence against women in the European Region: its magnitude and burden, national action and regional networks policy implications and responses, adolescents experience and the social context.

Please visit the following website: http://www.euro.who.int/violenceinjury/violence/20050208_1 and read more in this special issue on: - inequalities in health - the greatest challenge of this century - violence against women and HIV: linked or parallel epidemics? - sexual violence against children and adolescents: adolescents view on it - partner violence during pregnancy as a threat to maternal health - need for national action plan and a multi-sectoral response.

With best wishes,

Dr Gunta Lazdane Regional Advisor, Reproductive Health Principal editor, Entre Nous

Dr Inge Baumgarten Technical Officer, Prevention of Violence Violence and Injury Prevention
WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej
8 DK-2100 Copenhagen East Denmark
Tel: +45 3917 1502
Fax: +45 3917 1892
e-mail: IBA@euro.who.int
New website launched at: www.euro.who.int/violenceinjury