Ending violence against women

Portrait of Betty Eliza Pérez Valiente, 57, Olga Idalia Mestizo Tesorero, 37, and Claudia Pérez, 47, members of the Observatory of Violence Against Indigenous Women, an initiative supported by UN Women and also leaders of the National Coordinating Council of Indigenous Peoples of El Salvador. Photo: UN Women/Oscar Leiva.

Ending violence against women

Violence against women and girls, including in digital spaces, is one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide, affecting one in three women across their lifetime. It undermines their dignity, security, health, and autonomy, posing a significant barrier to gender equality.

It impacts families, communities, and societies, carries tremendous costs, and undermines national and international security.

Rooted in gender inequality, harmful social norms, and power differences, violence against women and girls occurs in all countries and communities. Yet it is often hidden due to stigma, underreporting, and a lack of trust in institutions. This leaves many survivors without adequate protection or support.

Every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence, participate fully in society, and contribute to shaping equitable and resilient futures.

Eliminating violence against women and girls is a central commitment of the Beijing Platform for Action, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and multiple international human rights instruments. It is a moral imperative and a prerequisite for peaceful, just, and prosperous societies.

This section of the knowledge portal explores core topics in ending all forms of violence against women and girls. Aimed at informing activists and advocates, it presents strategies, resources, and experiences.

Ending violence by making links

Violence against women and girls has multiple drivers and takes many forms, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, harmful practices, femicide, and technology-facilitated violence.

No single intervention can eliminate it. Five interlinked areas for action include:

  • strengthening global norms, laws, and policies
  • investing in prevention
  • ensuring quality responses and services
  • robust data and research
  • support for women’s rights organizations and movements

Progress in each area reinforces the others, creating a comprehensive framework for sustainable change.

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A row of teenage girls with short hair wearing white collared shirts stand in profile. The girl in the foreground is in sharp focus, while the others recede into soft focus behind her.

Global norms, laws, and policies

Norms and standards guide the elimination of violence.
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Seven women stand outdoors on grass surrounded by trees, facing forward with both arms extended and palms out, as if practicing an exercise together.

Prevention of violence

Stopping violence by tackling the causes that allow it to occur.
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Two women sit across from each other at a small table in a modest room with light green walls and a stove visible in the background. The woman turned toward the camera wears a green hat and dark clothing. She looks at the other woman, while holding her hand.

Response to violence

Where protection and the restoration of safety and dignity begin.
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A woman in a white lab coat and cream-colored Muslim headscarf looks into a microscope in a laboratory setting with white tiled walls and overhead cabinets.

Data and research

Shedding light on the nature, severity, and frequency of violence.
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A group of women sit together indoors, all wearing loose white garments. The woman in the foreground wears an ornate traditional headdress with red, orange, and black tassels. More of the same headdresses are displayed in front of her.

Women’s rights organizations

The presence of feminist movements is the most critical driver in ending violence.
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Scenes from the morning commute in Indonesia. Women walk along a covered train platform beside a stationary train. A hanging sign indicates directions to an exit, prayer room, and toilets.

Safe public spaces

The right to move freely in public spaces, be it urban, rural areas, or online.
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A person with long braided hair writes on a large white wall covered with handwritten messages, hearts, and emoji stickers. An orange banner above displays the same slogan. Some of the messages on the wall read “End gender violence,” “Be kind,” and “SAY NO!”

Technology-facilitated violence

Women and girls are the most frequent targets of online abuse.
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In a wood-paneled auditorium, three women wearing purple scarves stand behind a banner depicting flames and raised fists with women's names written on them. The first woman holds up a smartphone, and the one next to her raises her fist. She and the third woman hold framed photographs.

Femicide/feminicide

The most extreme and brutal manifestation of violence against women and girls.
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A young woman stands in profile on a busy street amid smoke or steam rising from a food cart. Motorcycles, a white van, and multi-story buildings are visible behind her in late-afternoon light.

Sexual harassment

From unwelcome sexual jokes, remarks, and touching, to rape and femicide.
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