Violence against women

Key stats:

• 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime
• on average 1 woman is killed each week by her current or former partner

Violence Against Women
Violence against women is the most pervasive human rights violation in the world. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

The cost to society of gender-based violence is significant. Beyond the immediate physical costs, there are psychological and social implications that can have long-term effects on individuals, such as chronic health conditions, poverty, and decreased economic opportunities that can impact entire communities.

What’s Possible When Women Lead
One powerful example of the impact that women can have in promoting peace and ending violence is Rwanda. After the genocide in 1994, women played a key role in rebuilding the country and promoting reconciliation and peace.

Today, Rwanda has one of the highest proportions of women in parliament in the world, and the country has taken significant steps to address violence against women, including implementing laws to prosecute perpetrators and providing support to survivors.

What’s Required for Change?
A multifaceted approach that includes:

• Education and awareness campaigns
• Improved access to services for survivors, including healthcare and legal
• Significant engagement from men & boys in the fight against gender-based violence
• Increased resources for prevention & investment in programs for survivors

This also requires a key shift in societal norms – particularly around definitions of ‘masculinity’ – to ensure that such violence becomes unacceptable in all cultures around the world.

Whilst violence against women remains a huge issue globally – with significant costs to both individuals and society – change is possible when we empower women, educate, challenge and inspire men – and together address inequality, as one of the root causes of violence.

At i=Change, we’re committed to helping build a more equitable world by supporting our NGO partners to help end violence against women & girls, inspire men to be leaders for change, and challenge systems that still – in many countries – continue to blame the victims.

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