Violence against Women/Girls (VAW/G) refers to any act that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women and girls. It is estimated that 35% of women worldwide[4] have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. It is estimated that of the 87,000 women who were intentionally killed in 2017 globally, more than half (50,000 – 58%) were killed by intimate partners or family members. This means that 137 women across the world are killed by a member of their own family every day. More than a third (30,000) of the women intentionally killed in 2017 were killed by their current or former intimate partner.[5]
Types of VAW/G
- Sexual Abuse
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Early/Forced Child Marriages
- Emotional & Psychological Abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Financial Abuse
- Elder Abuse
- Harassment/Sexual Harassment
- Human trafficking/ Sex Trafficking
Consequences of VAW/G
Short – term effects
Physical injuries – such as Cuts, broken bones, or injuries to organs and other parts inside of your body.
- Sexual violence short-term physical effects may include: Vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, unwanted pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Trouble sleeping/nightmares[6]
Long term effects
| Anxiety HIV/AIDS Asthma Chronic Pain Stress Migraine Headaches | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Heart problems Digestive problems e.g. stomach ulcer Depression Arthritis |
References
[4] Read further at Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence
[5] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018). Global Study on Homicide 2018, p. 10
[6] The Costs and Consequences of Sexual Violence and Cost-Effective Solutions. Publication from the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.