Violence against women data

Violence against women is public health problem, a violation of women’s rights and rooted in gender inequality. Globally 1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly by an intimate partner. Women who experience violence are more likely to face physical including sexual and reproductive health and mental health consequences.  

The health sector has a critical role to play in responding to violence against women. Recognizing this, in 2016 the World Health Assembly adopted a global plan of action on strengthening the health systems within a multisectoral response in addressing interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls and against children. The global plan of action on violence asks countries to report on progress made in implementation every 5 years.

To monitor progress on the health systems response to violence against women, WHO has compiled data from the SRMNCAH policy survey and policy documents from countries that participated in this survey. The sexual and reproductive health policy portal’s violence against women page presents data for 48 indicators covering the following areas:

• Inclusion of populations in marginalized situations
• Inclusion of women-centered care 
• Inclusion of services for survivors 
• Inclusion of prevention interventions 
• Existence of policies for enabling environment