Despite decades of international agreements and commitments to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), it remains a daily reality. One-third of women globally are affected by violence. Violence undermines women’s ability to take advantage of economic opportunities; impedes their education; and restricts their choices around sexual and reproductive rights.
Women’s movements have been at the forefront of advocating for interventions to confront violence. Political momentum created by women’s collective action has led to improvements in laws – for instance, now 76 out of 100 countries surveyed for the report have domestic violence laws compared to only 13 out of 100 in 1995. But their efforts are being undermined by shrinking civil society space, widening inequalities, rising religious fundamentalisms and financing shortfalls.
The report makes three recommendations to national governments, donors and the international community:
- To show leadership in combatting VAWG by championing the Sustainable Development Target.
- To recognise, champion and prioritise women’s organisations as critical long-term partners in the fight against VAWG.
- To ensure the necessary financing is available so that commitments to eradicate VAWG can be fully and rapidly realised.
In conclusion the reports suggests that the new Sustainable Development Goals offer a renewed opportunity to galvanise the necessary political will and resources to eliminate violence.