Hindus feel that something needs to be done urgently to rescue the European women as 62 million of them have reportedly “experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15”.

A report released by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on March five revealed wide prevalence of violence against women in Europe at home, work, in public and online.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was simply immoral and sin to watch about one third of European women suffer from violence and do nothing.

Quoting Hindu scriptures, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, says: Where women are honored, there the gods are pleased. Men and women are equal in the eyes of God, Zed adds.

Rajan Zed noted: It was really shocking to learn that “33% have childhood experiences of physical or sexual violence at the hands of an adult” and one in 20 women had been raped, as the report pointed out.

Zed stressed that European policy makers, employers and religious leaders needed to wake up to this extensive physical, psychological and sexual abuse of women; including during childhood; and come up with “real and effective” ways to combat it. Zed urged His Holiness Pope Francis to strongly come out condemning all violence against women.

European men should also seriously rethink about their attitudes and treatment of women in general and work towards bringing positive changes, Rajan Zed stated.

FRA, headquartered in Vienna (Austria) and established in 2007, helps to ensure that the fundamental rights of people are protected. Morten Kjaerum is the Director.