25 November- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Preventing and responding to violence against women is a human rights, gender equality and public health priority. In every country and culture, more action is needed to ensure women in all their diversity live a life free of violence and coercion.

This International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, followed by the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, WHO is strengthening our commitments to address violence against women.
To raise awareness, this year's theme is "Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!". Orange is our color to represent a brighter future free of violence against women and girls. Be part of the orange movement!
In 2021, WHO and partners released data from the largest ever study of the prevalence of violence against women. The report, supported by the WHO-UN Women Joint Programme on violence against women data, shows that 1 in 3 women across their lifetime are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner.
Two years of pandemic measures such as lockdowns and disruptions to vital support services have further increased women’s exposure to violence.

Most women who are subjected to violence do not explicitly disclose their experiences. The health system is a critical entry point to identify survivors, provide first line support, and, if needed, referrals.

In every country, policy-makers, health care managers and advocates also have a role in strengthening their health system response to violence against women in every country. This Resource package for strengthening countries’ health systems response to violence against women includes tools and processes for developing national protocols and guidelines, updating training materials and working with different sectors.
Research indicates that 1 in 5 refugee or displaced women experience sexual violence.
Providing quality health care services for violence survivors is critical in any crisis, whether it be natural disasters, conflicts or disease outbreaks. WHO works with partners around the world to promote a health systems response to violence against women and girls in crisis settings. 
2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign led by activists around the world. WHO is proud to stand alongside our fellow UN agencies and the inspiring generations of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to prevent and respond to violence against women and children.
 

In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:

• intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
• sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
• human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
• female genital mutilation; and
• child marriage.
   

("Gender equality – We must do better, and we can!" - WHO, 2021)

More information:

WHO International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women