Preventing and responding to violence against women and girls
Violence against women and girls constitutes a major public health concern and is a grave violation of human rights. Estimates by WHO indicate that, worldwide, about one woman in every three has experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
Violence against women and girls takes multiple forms, including: intimate partner violence; sexual violence; forced marriage; femicide; and trafficking. FGM and child and early marriage constitute harmful practices that share some of the same risk factors as violence against women such as unequal gender norms.
Violence against women and girls can lead to a range of adverse physical, mental and psychosocial health outcomes, including negative impacts on sexual and reproductive health. Intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence can lead to unintended pregnancies, induced abortions, gynaecological problems and STIs, including HIV. Intimate partner violence during pregnancy also increases the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery and low-birthweight infants. Conflict and post-conflict situations, including displacement, can exacerbate violence against women and girls, and may present the risk of additional forms of violence.
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