WHO says a third of world’s women are victims from domestic violence
Efforts to prevent domestic violence are insufficient, as a third of women worldwide are physically abused, according to studies published yesterday by the World Health Organisation.
Efforts to prevent domestic violence are insufficient, as a third of women worldwide are physically abused, according to studies published yesterday by the World Health Organisation.
Between 100 and 140 million women are victims of genital mutilation and 70 million girls are married before 18, often against their will. Also, 7 per cent of women risked being raped in their lifetimes, the study said.
The violence, exacerbated during conflicts and humanitarian crises, has dramatic consequences on the physical and mental health of the victims.
"No magic wand will eliminate violence against women and girls. But evidence tells us that changes in attitudes and behaviours are possible, and can be achieved within less than a generation," said Charlotte Watts, professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and co-author.
The study says even in places with tough, forward-looking laws many women were the victims of discrimination, violence and a lack of adequate access to health and legal services.
"Early identification of women and children subjected to violence and a supportive and effective response can improve women's lives and well-being, and help them to access vital services," said Claudia Garcia-Moreno, a WHO doctor.
The study's authors said real change could be made in the violence against women if governments put more resources into the fight and recognised how it served as a brake on economic growth.
World leaders should also change discriminatory laws and institutions that encourage inequality and thus set the stage for more violence.
Finally, the authors wrote, governments need to encourage research and rapidly put into place measures that had been shown to work.
