Partner violence against women begins at a young age

What you probably already know: Violence against women remains among the world’s most persistent problems. In what it calls a landmark report, the World Health Organization notes that nearly one in three women, or 840 million across the globe, have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime, about the same as it was in 2000. In the past year alone, 316 million women, or 11% of those 15 or older, were subjected to physical or sexual violence. The report notes that progress “has been painfully slow,” with only a 0.2% annual decline the past two decades.

Why it matters: “Violence against women occurs in every community, society and country, with severe implications for health,” says Dr. Tedro Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization. “Violence against women is a human-rights problem rooted in gender inequality, causing deep suffering and with intergenerational consequences.” The report, released in November, notes that conflict, humanitarian crises and environmental disasters all increase the risk of women “living in fragile contexts.” Displacement makes women especially vulnerable. Online violence is also a threat, though the report, called “Violence against women prevalence estimates,” urges further study to understand the full impact on both girls and women.

What it means: Intimate partner violence tends to begin early. More than 23% of incidents occur between the ages of 15 and 19, though it also impacts women in older age groups to a slightly lesser extent. For the first time, the report also includes estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partner, as 263 million women have experienced non-partner violence since age 15. “Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices, yet still one of the least acted upon,” Adhanom Ghebreyesus says, adding that empowering women and girls is a prerequisite for peace. “No society can call itself fair, safe or healthy while half its population lives in fear.”

What happens next: The World Health Organization is developing guidelines and tools for an “effective” response to violence against women, including strengthening health systems and training providers to prevent and respond to violence, as well as building advocacy and partnership networks. The report is accompanied by the launch of the second edition of the “RESPECT Women: preventing violence against women framework,” which offers updated guidance for violence prevention. “The data shows that many women first experience violence from a partner when they are adolescents,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell says. “Many children grow up watching their mothers being pushed, hit or humiliated. The key is to break this pattern of violence.”