This violence starts early: One in four young women (aged 15-24) who have been in a relationship have already experienced violence by a close partner by the mid-20s.
“Violence against women is endemic in all countries and cultures, causing damage to millions of women and their families, and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director – General of the WHO. “But unlike COVID-19, violence against women cannot be stopped with a vaccine. We can only combat it through the deep-rooted and sustained efforts of governments, communities and individuals to change harmful attitudes, improve access and opportunities for women and girls, and promote healthy and respectful relationships.
Domestic violence is by far the most common form of violence against women in the world (approximately 641 million). However, 6% of women worldwide report sexual assault on someone other than their husband or partner. Given the high stigma and underreporting of sexual abuse, the actual figure is likely to be significantly higher.
Emergencies exacerbate violence, increase vulnerability and risk
This report contains information on the largest study of the incidence of violence against women ever conducted by the WHO on behalf of a UN task force. Based on data from 2000 and 2018, it will update previous estimates published in 2013.
Although the figures already reveal an alarmingly high level of violence against women and girls, they do not reflect the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO and partners warn that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased women’s exposure to violence as a result of measures such as suspension and disruption of key support services.
“It is deeply worrying that this male violence against women will not only continue unchanged, but at worst among young women aged 15-24, who may also be young mothers. And this was the situation before the pandemic was frozen. We know that COVID-19’s multiple the effects have caused a “shadow pandemic” of all violence against women and girls in the shadows, “said the UN director general Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. “Every government should take strong and proactive action to address this and involve women,” she added.
Although increased reporting of intimate partner violence to telephone lines, police, health care workers, teachers and other service providers during lockouts has been reported in many countries, the full impact of the pandemic on prevalence will only be confirmed when investigations continue, the report notes.
Inequality is a leading risk factor for violence against women
Violence affects disproportionately low and low middle income countries. An estimated 37% of women in the poorest countries have experienced physical and / or sexual intimate partner violence in their lives, and in some of these countries the incidence is as high as one in two.
In Oceania, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the incidence of community-based violence is highest among women aged 15-49, ranging from 33% to 51%. The lowest prices are in Europe (16-23%), Central Asia (18%), East Asia (20%) and South-East Asia (21%).
Younger women are most at risk of recent violence. Among relatives, the highest incidence of intimate partner violence (16%) was among young women aged 15–24 in the last 12 months.
Violence against women must be prevented
Violence – in all its forms – can affect a woman’s health and well-being for the rest of her life – even long after the violence may have ended. It is associated with an increased risk of injury, depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and many other health problems. It has an impact on society as a whole and comes at a huge cost, affecting national budgets and overall development.
Preventing violence requires eliminating systematic economic and social inequalities, ensuring access to education and safe work, and changing discriminatory gender norms and institutions. Successful interventions also include strategies to ensure that survivors have access to and access to essential services that support women’s organizations, challenge unfair social standards, reform discriminatory laws, and strengthen legal action.
“In order to combat violence against women, there is an urgent need to reduce stigma in this regard, to train health professionals to interview survivors compassionately, and to break the foundations of gender inequality,” said Dr. Claudia Garcia-Moreno from whom. “Actions with and with young people to promote gender equality and equal attitudes are also vital.”
Countries must honor their commitment to increased and strong political will and leadership to combat violence against women in all its forms:
- Sound gender reassignment policies from childcare policies to equal pay and laws supporting gender equality,
- Strengthened functioning of the health care system, guaranteeing access to family-centered care and referral to other services where necessary,
- School and training measures to challenge discriminatory attitudes and beliefs, including comprehensive sex education,
- Targeted investment in sustainable and effective evidence-based prevention strategies at local, national, regional and global levels; and
- Strengthen data collection and invest in high-quality research on violence against women and improve the measurement of the various forms of violence experienced by women, including the marginalized.
About the report
The WHO and UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Research, Development and Development Program have produced a report, Global, Regional and National Assessments of Domestic Violence against Women and Global and Regional Assessments of Female Violence against Women. and Reproductive Research Training (HRP) for the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence in Women Assessment and Data.
The working group includes representatives from WHO, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) to enhance the measurement, monitoring and reporting of violence against women, including the Sustainable Development Goals. for monitoring indicators.
National data collection on intimate partner violence has increased significantly since previous 2010 estimates, although data quality and availability remain challenges. Sexual violence in particular is still one of the taboos and stigmatizing forms, so it is still much less reported.
Source: UN Women
Source: The Nordic Page