“Intimate partner violence against women and the Nordic paradox”

Nordic countries are considered the most advanced in terms of gender equality and are taken as an example. At the same time, they present alarming high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. This contradiction is the so-called “Nordic Paradox”. This largely has been the result of strong gendered welfare state policies to reduce gender pay gaps and established equal opportunities to pursue careers, through equal access to education and family reconciliation policies (childcare, parental leaves, etc.). The Gender Equality Index 2019 developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) puts the focus on work-life balance taking into account parental leave policies; childcare services; informal care and long-term care services; transport and infrastructure; flexible working arrangements; and lifelong learning. But, at the same time, a figure draws our attention: the high prevalence rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. This number may be high because women feel comfortable to talk about when they ar eabused but it still shows work needs to be done. The second explanation is the so-called backlash effect. This effect suggests that in countries with high levels of gender equality, there is a breakup with traditional gender roles and women no longer consider partners as an authority. The backlash effect implies that conflicts can arise or increase in cases where partners try to claim control over the relationship. Therefore, violence is used by partners as a negative response to women’s empowerment and progress in society.