A new WHO report released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women reveals that 316 million women and 12.5 million adolescent girls suffered sexual or partner violence in the past year, with global progress remaining painfully slow
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A report by the World Health Organization have stated that 316 million women and 12.5 million adolescent girls faced sexual violence in the last 12 months across the world.
The report, released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, observed on November 25, noted that “Violence against women remains one of the world’s most persistent and under-addressed human rights crises and has made little progress in the last two decades,” as reported by news agency IANS.
It also emphasised that “Nearly one in three women, an estimated 840 million globally, have reportedly experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime.” It also mentioned that this is a number that has hardly changed since the year 2000.
In the last 12 months, 316 million women, 11 per cent of those aged 15 or older, were subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
It also mentioned that about 12.5 million adolescent girls 15-19 years of age, or 16 per cent, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner, as reported by news agency IANS.
However, the report also mentioned that progress on reducing intimate partner violence has been painfully slow, with only a 0.2 per cent annual decline over the past two decades.
For the first time, the report also included national and regional estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partner.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, further stated that "Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices, yet still one of the least acted upon," as reported by news agency IANS.
He also emphasised that "no society can call itself fair, safe, or healthy while half its population lives in fear. Ending this violence is not only a matter of policy; it is a matter of dignity, equality, and human rights."
In addition to highlighting the paucity of funding for anti-sexual assault activities, the research warned that millions of women and girls are at greater risk due to humanitarian crises, technology advancements, and growing socioeconomic disparity.
In order to strengthen survivor-centred health, legal, and social services, it called for swift government action and funding to expand evidence-based prevention programmes; investing in data systems to monitor progress and reach the most vulnerable groups; and enforcing laws and policies that empower women and girls.
(With inputs from IANS)
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