Combating violence against women and girls around the world

As 8 March, International Women’s Day, draws near, this note briefly surveys current efforts to combat violence against women and girls around the world, focusing strongly on initiatives involving the UK.

Gender-based violence is present in every society in the world. Globally, one in three women will be beaten or sexually abused in their lifetime. Girls and women in developing countries are vulnerable to particular abuses including early marriage, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in conflict. As well as being a violation of their rights, violence holds back women’s contribution to poverty eradication and economic growth, and it undermines women’s potential and ability to effect change in the world.