Zero violence: Accelerate progress to eliminate violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Despite growing awareness and action, progress has been slow and uneven. New threats—such as online abuse, attacks on women in public life, and the rise of harmful content through artificial intelligence—are making the problem even more complex.

This publication was released as part of the 30-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global agreement to advance women’s rights. It brings together the latest findings from the UN Secretary-General’s report and other sources to show where the world stands on ending violence against women and girls. The publication highlights both progress and setbacks. More countries have passed laws, set up support services, and launched prevention campaigns. But challenges like harmful gender stereotypes, weak enforcement, and underfunding continue to hold back change.

The publication calls for stronger action in six key areas: 

• passing and enforcing better laws, 
• funding long-term prevention, 
• improving data collection, 
• supporting survivors, 
• protecting women activists, and 
• ensuring that governments take a coordinated approach.

This resource helps governments, advocates, and the public understand what needs to be done, and why urgency and commitment are more important than ever.