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Abstract
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An outpouring of anger marked March, 2021, as thousands took to the streets to protest violence and discrimination against women. The contexts varied hugely across settings such as Turkey, Australia, Mexico, the UK, and the USA, but the frustration was universal. Many women related the fear they live with, and a sense of despair and powerlessness at the situation. And yet the force of these conversations provides grounds for measured optimism for the future.
That wouldn't be the obvious conclusion to draw from the new report on violence against women by WHO and partner organisations, published on March 9, 2021. This comprehensive report includes 2000-18 data for 161 countries on intimate partner violence and 137 countries for non-partner sexual violence. Overall, an estimated 31% of women aged 15-49 years have been subjected to physical or sexual violence from a current or former husband or male intimate partner, or to sexual violence from someone who isn't a current or former husband or partner, at least once since age 15 years. Although there is national and regional variation in the prevalence of intimate-partner and non-partner violence, it is clearly a globally pervasive problem of pandemic proportions. These horrific numbers make it imperative that more action is urgently taken by governments and societies.
An alarming level of violence is already present early in women's lives. The report estimates 16% of young women aged 15-24 years were subjected to physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner within the past 12 months. Adolescence is a time when relationship patterns are being solidified, closely tied to developing self-esteem and the empowerment to say no in sexual or romantic contexts. The amount of intimate partner violence is therefore deeply concerning, indicating early entrenchment of abusive relationship dynamics. Furthermore, the aftermath of non-partner or intimate-partner violence changes the life course, whether through unwanted pregnancy and its repercussions on education and career, or sexual and reproductive health problems, chronic conditions, or depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and devoting energy to healing. Provision of quality care after abuse is therefore crucial. Many women do not report sexual abuse because of the stigma, emotional difficulty, and likelihood of being blamed. For adolescents who have been sexually abused, studies advocate providing care that respects their autonomy and wishes, ensures confidentiality, and makes services welcoming. As the WHO report emphasises, women should be able to access survivor-centred health care. Believing women is key to this.
Within this bleak picture, however, is the potential for optimism. Exactly because of its foundational character, adolescence is a window of opportunity for establishing healthier gender dynamics. The report highlights that violence against women is not inevitable, urging for prevention programmes to be more widely tested and scaled up. Deep societal changes are needed
Language: en |