❖ The European Union adopted the first law to tackle violence against women.

❖ It includes action against forced marriages, female genital mutilation and online harassment but failed to settle on a common definition of rape. 

❖ The sweeping legislation aims to protect women in the 27-nation bloc from gender-based violence.

❖ It also criminalises cyber violence against women including online stalking, harassment, incitement to hatred or violence, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.