Violence against women

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." Adolescent girls, young women, women belonging to ethnic and other minorities, transwomen, and women with disabilities face a higher risk of different forms of violence. Estimates of intimate partner violence (physical and/or sexual) or non-partner sexual violence or both among all women (15 years and older) for South-East Asia suggest a lifetime prevalence of 40.2%.

Violence against women is an impediment to sustainable development and may be prevented by mitigating the risk factors and amplifying the protective factors. It is important to raise awareness about violence against women among health care providers and policy-makers to ensure an appropriate health sector response. Accordingly, evidence-based standards may be developed followed by framing of national guidelines, including integration into education for health care providers.