Commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and expressing solidarity with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign, WHO Country for India staff wore orange across locations.
In India, there is evidence of a very high and growing prevalence of violence against women across various socio-economic strata. Over one-third of Indian women in the age group of 15-49 have experienced some sort of physical or sexual violence.
Speaking about the issue, WHO Representative to India, Dr Nata Menabde said, “Eliminating violence against women requires efforts from all parts of the society and is not just a health sector matter.”
“However, we know that the health care system is one of the rare institutions that interact with almost every woman at some point in her life. Interventions by health providers can help prevent violence and potentially mitigate both the short and long-term health effects of gender-based violence on women and their families,” she added.