UN: One in Three Women Faces Gender-Based Violence

On Friday, November 15, the UN highlighted the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) as part of the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10. This year’s theme, “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,” aims to address the root causes of this pervasive issue.

Statistics reveal that nearly one in three women worldwide will face physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In 2023 alone, at least 51,100 women were victims of femicide, with over half of these killings committed by intimate partners or family members. The UN reports a 50% increase in gender-based violence in conflict zones compared to the previous year.

UN Women emphasizes that everyone can contribute to ending GBV, from supporting local organizations to advocating for stronger laws. Governments are urged to enact accountability measures for perpetrators and fund women’s rights organizations to aid survivors.