ACT to End Violence against Women shared advocacy agenda: Key messages

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most urgent and widespread human rights violations globally, affecting one in three women across their lifetime. Despite increasing recognition of the issue, progress remains slow due to entrenched gender norms, underfunded women’s rights organizations, and weak implementation of laws. Global emergencies, the growth of technology-facilitated abuse, and shrinking civic space have intensified the risks faced by women and girls—particularly those in public life and marginalized communities.

The “ACT to End Violence against Women shared advocacy agenda” provides a collaborative framework focused on common priorities, strategies, and actions to accelerate global efforts. Developed through the EU-funded ACT to End Violence against Women Programme, it amplifies feminist leadership and movement-driven change to eliminate VAWG. The agenda is organized around three key advocacy priorities:

• Bold investments in prevention and responses to end violence against women and girls.
• Strengthened financing, protection, and support to women’s rights organizations.
• Enhanced accountability, access to justice, and the full and effective implementation of laws to prevent and respond to VAWG.

Grounded in evidence and shaped by the voices of women’s rights movements, this agenda sets out clear calls to action for governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to take coordinated, whole-of-society approaches to address and prevent violence. With 2030 fast approaching, it urges urgent, sustained action to meet global commitments and uphold the rights and safety of all women and girls.