New strategy to strengthen work against violence, oppression and exploitation

The Government has presented a new national strategy to prevent and combat men's violence against women, honour-related violence and oppression, and exploitation through prostitution and human trafficking. The strategy aims to support a more coherent, long-term and effective approach across the country and will apply during the period 2026–2035.

Follow-up by the Swedish Gender Equality Agency shows that the previous strategy, introduced in 2017, led to increased prioritisation and more active efforts among a greater number of public agencies. At the same time, major challenges remain. 

“The previous strategy strengthened the work, but efforts are still too uneven and fragmented. This means that people subjected to violence do not receive the support they are entitled to, and that is not acceptable,” says Lise Tamm, Director General of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency.

Today, efforts to combat violence, oppression and exploitation are uneven and fragmented. This means that girls and women subjected to violence do not have equal access to protection and support across the country.

A zero vision as a governing principle 

The new strategy is based on a zero vision: the violence must end. The zero vision is not only about setting a target, but also about how the work is organised and governed.

“Violence should not be treated as isolated incidents, but as a systemic failure that society has a responsibility to prevent,” explains Lise Tamm.

This means that society’s efforts need to be better coordinated and that responsibilities and roles must be clearly defined. Experience from other policy areas shows that long-term commitment, clear accountability and continuous follow-up are crucial to achieving results.

“The work spans many sectors. It requires clear roles and responsibilities and a coordinated approach. Otherwise, agencies continue to operate in silos,” says Lise Tamm.

Strong national coordination

Efforts to combat violence span many sectors and levels of society. Stronger coordination is needed in order to increase impact.

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency already holds national responsibility for coordinating efforts against prostitution and human trafficking. Since January this year, the agency has also been responsible for coordinating efforts against honour-based violence and oppression.

The agency has now been tasked with coordinating a national cooperation structure for implementing the new strategy.

“We are now in a better position to coordinate the work nationally and ensure that measures are more targeted and long-term,” says Lise Tamm.

The aim is to strengthen links between national, regional and local levels so that governance, implementation and follow-up are aligned.

Violence is part of gender inequality 

The strategy emphasises that violence is not gender-neutral, but part of the gender inequality that exists in society. Men’s lethal violence against women, often referred to as femicide, is the most extreme consequence of this. Preventing violence therefore also requires addressing the underlying power structures.

“Men’s violence against women is not random. It is the ultimate consequence of gender inequality,” says Lise Tamm.

Men’s lethal violence against women should not be understood as isolated or random events. It is part of an ongoing pattern of violence in which threats, control and abuse often escalate and are linked to the gender inequality that exists in society.

Lise Tamm highlights that honour-based violence and oppression involve control and abuse from cradle to grave. Girls in particular are restricted in many different ways.

“Their human rights are violated and they are denied access to the gender equality that should apply to everyone in Sweden. The new strategy contains many targeted measures and an increased focus on honour-based violence, which is important,” she says.

Improved follow-up to deliver results

A key part of the strategy is strengthened follow-up. Without systematic monitoring and evaluation, there is a risk that measures will become short-term and isolated.

“To achieve results, we need to know what works,” says Lise Tamm.

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency has been tasked with developing follow-up of the strategy and the interim gender equality policy objectives, including in cooperation with other public agencies.

Focus on the responsibility of the state

Ultimately, the strategy is about the state’s responsibility to protect people’s lives and freedom.

“Anyone subjected to violence must always receive support. Anyone who commits violence must be held accountable. That is how the zero vision becomes reality,” says Lise Tamm.

Read more 

National strategy for freedom from violence, oppression and exploitation (2026-2035)