Response to interpellation 2024/25:710 on the gender equality sub-goal regarding men's violence against women
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
L argues that the government is investing more resources in combating men's violence against women than previous governments 1 2 and focuses on getting people into work 3 4. L argues that the government is working to counter economic violence, criminalize psychological violence, and raise the requirements for women's shelters 4. S considers that the government's response is not sufficient 5, that a noticeable decrease in murdered women is not seen 5, and that the government creates incentives for women to stay in destructive relationships by lowering the maintenance support and removing the housing supplement 6 7. S argues that the economic policy punishes women out 7. SD claims that the government puts action before words 8 and does what the Social Democrats never managed to do by expanding the capacity of shelters, providing women's shelters with long-term funding, providing the police with resources, and toughening penalties 9.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Jämställdhetsministern Nina Larsson (L)
Mr. Speaker! Sofia Amloh has asked me how I intend to act from my area of responsibility regarding the gender equality sub-goal that men's violence against women shall cease.
I would like to begin by thanking Sofia Amloh for her interest in an issue that is a high priority for both me and the government. Between 2017 and 2024, an average of 13 women were killed per year by a current or former partner, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that the violence, including the lethal violence, ceases.
As the interpellor points out in their question, a development project is underway within the Swedish Police Authority to strengthen the preventive work against men's gross and deadly violence against women. As part of that work, the police have analyzed previous cases of deadly violence in order to improve future work using the lessons learned. It is an initiative that the government views very positively. Several agencies have extensive work against men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, honor-related violence and oppression, as well as prostitution and human trafficking, but more must be done.
This government is therefore investing more resources within the gender equality policy to combat men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, and honor-related violence and oppression than previous governments have done.
The government has earmarked 527 million kronor for 2025 within the area of gender equality for measures to prevent and combat men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, honor-related violence and oppression, as well as prostitution and human trafficking. These funds will be used to implement the measures announced in the action program that the government decided on in June 2024, which contains 132 measures.
Examples of measures that have been financed during 2025 are the assignment to Kriminalvården, Polismyndigheten, Socialstyrelsen, and Åklagarmyndigheten to strengthen operational cooperation to prevent and combat men's violence against women, domestic violence, and honor-related violence and oppression, as well as a comprehensive assignment to Socialstyrelsen, including the assignment to develop proposals for a coordinated support system for victims of violence. Jämställdhetsmyndigheten, in cooperation with Nationellt centrum för kvinnofrid, has been assigned to develop support material including information on the causes, extent, and consequences of violence with a particular focus on the justice system.
Since the current ten-year national strategy, which was decided in 2016, expires in 2026, the government decided in 2023 to task a special investigator with, among other things, producing proposals for one or two long-term strategies to develop and strengthen the work of preventing and countering physical, mental, sexual, economic, and material violence as well as threats of violence.
On March 7, 2025, the commission submitted its final report, Freedom from Violence, Oppression, and Exploitation (SOU 2025:28), with a proposal for a long-term unified strategy. The commission submitted proposals that entail a major transformation of the gender equality work against violence: from time-limited, temporary assignments to sustainable, long-term work through strengthened core mandates and a clearly designated responsibility for a number of central authorities. The proposals also include an enhanced and unified coordination of the work and strengthened follow-up. The final report has been referred, and the proposals are being prepared in the Government Offices.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! This interpellation and the previous one were submitted in the spring, but the Minister for Equality has had some difficulty following the rules regarding when one needs to appear to answer questions. Now we are here in September. I want to add that, given that these questions needed to be discussed – I considered at least – much earlier, in the spring, when we received information regarding this subject.
I want to point out that it was over a year and a half ago that a situation arose where several women were murdered during the same week. Meetings were called with several, if not all, party leaders. A kind of decisive action was taken in discussing the incredibly serious development.
We know how this situation arises. It is extra risky during long weekends, at Christmas or during holiday periods. Then we know that the violence increases in the home.
Then we Social Democrats took the initiative to bring up these issues and do something proper in the form of a crisis commission that would consist of experts and representatives from authorities, women's shelters and so on.
The government has said no to this and said that this crisis commission was not needed. Now, one year later, we are once again receiving recurring reports.
We pointed out here during the spring that the police themselves say that they are failing in this work. They are failing so seriously that if these failures had not existed, lives could have been saved. Women would not have been beaten to death in their homes.
It is very good that these deficiencies are being brought up, but they are also recurring. We saw that these deficiencies were pointed out already in the 2023 report on the Swedish Police Authority's activities.
Mr. Speaker! The answer we have received from the Minister, regarding these measures, is also something I heard in this chamber about a year ago. But I cannot consider this to be sufficient.
We do not see a noticeable reduction in the number of women who are murdered per year. We do not see that type of development. We see that the number is more or less constant over time. More must be done. This is not enough.
My question to the Minister is whether the Minister thinks this is enough or if she also sees a need to do more. It is an unfathomable tragedy we are receiving reports of. Who can one trust if one cannot trust the police when one is in this extremely serious situation as a woman in one's own home? It is an incredibly serious issue.
I actually want to see what measures the government takes that are powerful enough for that situation and that indicate that one absolutely does not accept this. Also, this month we can read that it is a woman who has been beaten to death. What do we do? Why was a crisis commission not needed, does the Minister ask?
Sara Gille (SD)
Mr. Speaker! It is very interesting to sit and listen to the member. These questions, in fact, needed to be addressed even during the time when the Social Democrats were in power. It is, however, good to criticize others – of course. It is easy for some to do that.
The Social Democrats are presenting it as if nothing happened during the time they were in power. There were no mistakes at all, and there were no problems at all. The fact is that it was then that the development went in completely the wrong direction.
Let me, for example, remind you of the spring of 2021. In just three weeks, five women were murdered by men they had lived with. This sparked enormous anger and received great attention across the entire country – during the Social Democrats' time.
Despite these brutal murders and despite the fact that women's shelters, researchers, and the police themselves sounded the alarm about systemic failures, almost nothing happened. The Social Democrats chose once again to meet the crisis with words instead of action.
The police repeatedly sounded the alarm about the inability to investigate, help, and prevent. It was simply too weak. The number of police officers relative to the population fell to among the lowest in the EU – again during the Social Democrats' time.
The women's shelters raised the alarm about underfunding, a lack of places, and that staff were being pushed to their limits. The National Board of Health and Welfare showed that many of the women who were later murdered had had contact with the authorities, but they still had no protection.
In 2016, the Social Democrats launched a national strategy. It was presented with big and fine words, but it lacked follow-up and real effect. The criticism from researchers, women's shelters, and the justice system was massive. Nevertheless, the Social Democrats chose to let everything continue as before.
Mr. Speaker! Today we see a different direction. This government, with the support of the Sweden Democrats, is actually putting action before words. We have already seen increased investments in the police and a clear direction when it comes to special expertise in domestic violence. We are expanding protected housing. We are securing their long-term funding, and we are strengthening the cooperation between the police, social services, and healthcare.
We have tightened the penalties for aggravated violation of a woman's peace and aggravated crimes against a child's peace. This should have happened a long time ago. We are pushing for risk assessments to be made already at the first contact and for restraining orders to be able to be followed up with electronic surveillance when the risk is high.
Mr. Speaker! We are also ensuring that children who witness violence receive stronger protection and individual support – something that previous governments totally ignored. The safety of crime victims must always weigh heavier than the perpetrators' claims.
I would like to ask the Minister which additional steps she sees as most urgent for us to seriously reach the goal that violence against women by men shall cease.
Jämställdhetsministern Nina Larsson (L)
Mr. Speaker! Many thanks to Member Sofia Amloh and Member Sara Gille for speeches that both address incredibly pressing areas.
This government is clear. Men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, honor-related violence and oppression, as well as prostitution and human trafficking are very serious societal problems. These issues are very highly prioritized and shall be combated with the same force as organized crime shall be combated.
This government also invests more resources within the gender equality policy on combating men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, honor-related violence and oppression, as well as prostitution and human trafficking than previous governments.
In the budget proposal for 2026, we allocate 166 million kronor to a new initiative within the gender equality policy. With the proposals in the budget, the appropriations for the gender equality area together reach nearly 1 billion kronor, which is a higher level than ever before.
The government's work within gender equality policy is broad, but it definitely has a focus on measures against men's violence against women and against honor-related violence and oppression. It also contains important steps to increase economic equality.
I often visit women's shelters. I have a close dialogue with civil society organizations that are active in this area and who possess incredible knowledge and expertise regarding this issue.
The government's redirected direction within crime policy means that we have the victim's perspective as a starting point. A shift is occurring right now. It is an entirely necessary shift within the area and when it comes to the view on men's violence against women.
I believe it has been absolutely crucial to ensure the crime victim's opportunity for redress and for important steps in the preventive work instead of excusing the perpetrators.
Member Sofia Amloh mentions deficiencies and refers to a report. An incredibly important evaluation work is underway within the police authority. There are also very good examples within the authority where they work very actively, proactively, and operationally in these issues. That they conduct a transparent evaluation of their own activities and identify deficiencies that can be addressed is completely central. It should have happened a long time ago. I share the member's view in that aspect as well.
That we have now been able to allocate resources and exert increased pressure and focus on the perspective of crime victims will also have a completely central effect within this area when it comes to ensuring that men's violence against women ceases.
I received the question of whether this is enough or if we need to do more. This also borders on Member Sara Gilles' question about what additional steps we need to take to counter this area. As for that, it will have to be a cliffhanger, because I do not have time to answer it now. I will take it next time.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! Since I am extremely curious, I await this with anticipation, but I still want to continue the debate based on what the government has said so far. Above all, I perhaps need to address Member Gilles' remarks in the rostrum earlier regarding the truth.
To make such a sweeping claim that the Social Democrats have never done anything in this area is not credible. One can criticize us – absolutely, please do so – but I believe that most people actually cannot accept what was said about us never having done anything in this area.
We have ourselves accounted for several investigations that have been commissioned and which form the basis for the government's actions – which we also say are good. We have taken the initiative for the long-term strategies that the government itself wants to continue with. It is good.
To assume the role and take the credit for the introduction of the crime of child peace crime and say that it has been done by this government is actually interesting. One can actually read that it was introduced in June 2021. It was not this government that sat in Rosenbad then.
The Social Democrats have, therefore, done things in this area. However, I will not stand here, beat my chest and say that we are super satisfied and that everything is great or that we would be. There are things I am proud of, but the work must continue. When we see the social development that the Minister for Equality also describes here, we need to take our responsibility and take measures that are in parity with the extremely serious development. I think the government has a responsibility to address this, because when it is not correct, one also needs to take responsibility for that.
It is not that we see more women's shelters in this country, but rather fewer. Women's shelters are being closed down. If Member Gille or the Minister has a different opinion, they are welcome to present it to me. Would it be much easier for women's shelters to conduct their operations today, and would it be the case that no women's shelters are being closed down? They are not being closed down because there are no women who need protection, but because the conditions have become worse.
The question remains regarding the investigation referred to in the Minister's first answer, concerning agency cooperation and that we need to get that done. Why a crisis commission? Yes, we can gladly negotiate a different name for it, but it is about us sitting down with experts and women's shelters – all those who know what is needed in this – and agencies. There are, after all, many more agencies; the Police Authority has been one, and we can include the Prosecution Authority. There are more agencies that would also need to be involved in sharpening the focus. Based on the investigation that the Minister refers to, there is also a need for better governance.
We should still be able to make a concerted effort here to establish the focus that would be required. Therefore, my question remains: Why can we not make the concerted effort that we, somewhere, what I hear, consider there is a need for?
Then I just want to briefly say something about the fact that what is important are steps to improve economic policy and economic equality. I wonder at what point in this budget so far one strengthens the situation of women and children. The drivers that the government highlights are to make people poorer for work. But that also creates the incentive that women who become poorer will not leave a destructive relationship.
Sara Gille (SD)
Mr. Speaker! I will begin by addressing what Member Sofia Amloh said.
The Social Democrats simply did not do enough. That is what it is about. You did not do enough when you governed, Sofia Amloh. It is important to say it clearly: the Social Democrats' policy cost lives. It is about women who never received the protection they were entitled to, children who lost their mothers, and families who were shattered.
This government, with the support of the Sweden Democrats, has a completely different direction. We are doing what the Social Democrats never managed to do fully. We are expanding the capacity of shelter spaces and providing the women's shelters with long-term funding. We are providing the police with resources, and we are strengthening their competence. We are toughening the penalties so that recidivism is no longer met with symbolic sanctions. We demand that risk assessments are made early and that warning signs cannot be ignored. We are doing what the Social Democrats should have done a long, long time ago.
Women's safety cannot wait. Therefore, I would like to know which forms of follow-up the Minister considers most expedient to ensure that women actually receive the protection they need in a timely manner.
Jämställdhetsministern Nina Larsson (L)
Mr. Speaker! In my previous contribution here, I received questions linked to women's shelters. It is an incredibly important activity that does much, much great good for many affected crime victims and individuals, women and children. The women's shelters also perform a very important task in the form of highlighting and informing about these crimes and challenges, which is a part of their activities that is very significant for creating awareness that there are men around us who also hit.
The demands on the women's shelters have increased in conjunction with the social services reform. Previously, we had a situation where the protected housing that many women's shelters operated did not meet sufficient quality, which affected the women. It affected the crime victims. The reform linked to protected housing has been extremely central and a very important part in upgrading the activities surrounding protected housing – in upgrading that form of intervention. During the implementation of the reform, extra funds were added for women's shelters to apply for so that they can meet the requirements that are set. They must be able to meet the requirements for quality, safety, and so on that the reform entailed.
I also have many conversations with women's shelters around the country, and they point out that effects have been created that have affected the women's shelters negatively. The Government has given Statskontoret a special assignment to follow up on the reform so that we can identify this and adjust the requirements. We have also given Upphandlingsmyndigheten an assignment so that municipalities that procure sheltered housing shall have better conditions and methods for procuring the idea-based activities, which the women's shelters are.
It is completely central that we continue to follow up on this, and in connection with Member Sara Gilles' question, it is an important follow-up to see if the measures, changes, and tightenings regarding the requirements for women's shelters, or the form of intervention protected housing, achieve the effect that was intended. I am convinced that we will receive good input from both the National Agency for Public Procurement and the National Audit Office regarding this, and I am prepared to listen to it to ensure that the reform truly achieves the effect that was intended.
It is in exactly the same way with the action program – with all the different measures and interventions as well as the assignments that the government has given to many different actors and authorities. We must really ensure that we get a good follow-up on whether this type of change has an effect. Then we can learn from it and make further adjustments to take additional measures.
The government does not give up on people. That is the big difference. Member Sofia Amloh claims that we focus on poverty, but it is the opposite: We do not give up on people.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! The government does not give up on the people, the Minister concluded his statement with. But one removes the extra housing supplement. One lowers the social assistance.
This is about women and children who have lived under incredibly tough conditions, many times for very long periods. They have tried to leave. They have been subjected to all possible types of violence – psychological violence, economic violence, and so on. When it comes to the state that these women are often in when they – if they – leave and are to start over somewhere else, I would say that they are only in a strong economic position in exceptional cases.
By treating women in this way and proceeding as one does, women are being penalized. With this economic policy from the government, women are being penalized.
Now the government wants to lower this and remove the support that people have such a great need of. One might not be in exactly such a situation but live in a destructive relationship and need to leave. For several years, it has been warned about how difficult it is for women to divorce for economic reasons. We see that. Even if one would want to divorce from a completely healthy relationship, one cannot do so to the same extent as before. There is a strong negative trend; more and more women feel that they cannot divorce for economic reasons.
From that approach, the government continues. In what way does one then consider that one is not giving up on the people? One is giving up on women and on women's economic situation. I can do nothing but become extremely upset about that.
Jämställdhetsministern Nina Larsson (L)
Mr. Speaker! This government has taken a number of different measures to ensure that violence against women by men ceases. This includes violence against women by men in all respects.
An ongoing investigation is looking at exactly the issues of division of assets and will soon come forward with its report. Women living in a destructive relationship should, in fact, be able to divorce without it having fatal economic consequences.
We have also tasked a number of grant-paying authorities with working with special working methods and based on special knowledge in order to be able to identify and counter economic violence occurring among us.
We are also in the process of criminalizing psychological violence, which is yet another form of violence that men subject women to. It is a terrible situation to live in.
This government focuses on ensuring that people, women and men, have a job to go to. It should never be profitable to get stuck in a dependency on benefits. It is an enormous cost for the families and women who live in a very strong dependency on benefits. We must do everything to ensure that people within this very vulnerable group also get into work.
We are now adding even more resources to women's shelters. We have ensured that requirements are raised, so that the women's shelters and protected housing that exist around the country and that meet these women shall maintain a quality. We also need to ensure that the non-profit activities also have the very best conditions. The non-profit activity within this area reaches individuals, women and children, in a way that authority-exercising bodies many times do not.
This government has a full focus on combating men's violence against women and ensuring that it stops.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.