Social norms have a big impact on how people think, act, and the power dynamics within societies. Violence against women and girls is often made worse by harmful beliefs and social norms that make such violence seem acceptable. This hampers violence prevention efforts and make it hard to eliminate. To effectively prevent violence against women and girls changing these harmful norms and practices is essential.

In situations of conflict, women and girls often face very high levels of violence. This includes sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, and the loss of their means of living. While there are systems to address violence against women and girls in humanitarian contexts, preventing violence in conflict and post-conflict settings poses significant challenges. 

Campaigns have become a powerful strategy when dealing with violence against women and girls in recent years. Executed at various levels, from local communities to global stages, campaigns play a vital role in the prevention of gender-based violence.