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BRIEF November 10, 2023

Addressing Gender-Based Violence: 16 Days of Activism

"We have intensified our efforts to help countries prevent and respond to gender-based violence." Watch Human Development Vice President, Mamta Murthi, discuss the importance of preventing gender-based violence. 


  • The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an from 25 November to 10 December where individuals and organizations around the world call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls and other forms of violence based on gender.

    Gender-based violence (GBV) affects more than  over the course of a lifetime. Violence against women and girls has a significant toll not just on their wellbeing but also on their families across generations and societies more broadly. In some countries, violence against women is estimated to cost countries up to 3.7% of their GDP.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of violence against women increased, making sustained action to address drivers and consequences of violence a dire need.

    30% of women have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
    Source: World Bank Gender Data Portal.

    GBV is a major barrier to building human capital. GBV has far-reaching negative implications for survivors, their families, and society as a whole. GBV is linked to negative health consequences for survivors, including injuries, mental health problems, a higher rate of substance abuse, and poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

    The good news is that we know that GBV is preventable, and the evidence shows that changing social norms is key. Preventing GBV requires holistic, multi-sectoral approaches that seek to address violence and change social norms and attitudes at all levels of society.

    World Bank GBV retrospective report cover

    The report, , distills lessons drawn from the last 10 years of work and goes into depth on some of the most promising operational examples across regions. Over the past decade, the World Bank has brought the gender-based violence prevention and response agenda to the forefront of our policy discussions with key actors, such as ministries of finance, education, health, transport, and social affairs ¨C drawing on global knowledge as well as insights from wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders such as local women¡¯s groups. We help to address gender-based violence in fragile and low-income countries ¨C gleaning evidence on what works to prevent GBV through our Gender Innovation Labs and the Development Impact Evaluations.

    ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº Group Gender Strategy 2024-2030 proposes innovations, financing, and collective action to end gender-based violence. The  on the strategy with a wide spectrum of stakeholders ¨C civil society organizations, women and men in communities, governments, partner agencies, the private sector, and academia ¨C will explore how we can work together at scale to address different forms of gender-based violence, as well as address the other strategic objectives of the Strategy ¨C expand and enable economic opportunities for all and engage women as leaders.

  • Data, Research, and Evidence:

     

    Exacerbating Factors and Risks

    Climate

    • Blog:  [AFR]

    Migration

    Transportation

    Gender norms

    • Blog:  [ECA]
    • Blog:  [MENA]

    Online/Digital

    • Blog:  [New!]
    • Report:  [PDF]

     

    Economic Impacts of GBV

    • Blog:  [New!]
    • Blog:  [New!]
    • Blog:  [ECA]

     

    Solutions/What works

     

    Policy and Legal Frameworks:

     

    Survivor Resources

    • Data: 
    • Blog: 
    • Blog: 
    • Blog:  [SAR]

Blog Dec 08, 2023

In Egypt, efforts to foster women¡¯s empowerment and address GBV have seen significant progress.

Blog Dec 07, 2023

Quality support services for survivors of domestic violence are essential if women are to escape the cycle of violence.

Blog Dec 07, 2023

Three things we learned about gender-based violence (GBV) from one year of engaging with and listening to people with disabilities all over Tanzania.

Blog Dec 06, 2023

What the World Bank has learned about preventing and responding to GBV and the opportunities to scale up engagement in countries in eastern Africa.

Blog Dec 06, 2023

In Malawi, climate disasters exacerbate the already alarming rates of violence against women & girls. Christie Banda's blog highlights the impact of Cyclone Freddy and the resilience of survivors.

Blog Dec 04, 2023

Enlightening insights shared by civil society and non-government organizations, private sector representatives, and legal practitioners in Mozambique.

Blog Dec 01, 2023

Rufaro Chakanetsa emphasizes the importance of confidentiality, working with local organizations, and continuous learning to become a responsible advocate against gender-based violence.

Feature Story Nov 30, 2023

Understanding the reason behind the 16 days of activism against gender-based ...

The eradication of Gender-Based Violence is an urgent task that requires everyone's commitment. Action is needed now to create a world in which all women and girls can live free from violence.

Blog Nov 30, 2023

In Europe & Central Asia, gender-based violence affects the lives of millions. To build human capital, we must tackle gender inequality's roots, ensuring women & girls' full contribution to the prosperity and security of their countries.

Blog Nov 27, 2023

Gender-based violence is preventable. Evidence shows that multi-sectoral approaches involving women, men and youth can reduce violence.

Blog Nov 27, 2023

An estimated 95% of online aggression, harassment, abusive language, and denigrating content is directed at women. This blog makes suggestions for how to tackle this global issue.

Blog Nov 25, 2023

Addressing GBV through investment in gender equality can generate positive multiplier effects for the economy: It helps expand women¡¯s access to education, essential services, labor markets, and social capital.

Story Nov 13, 2023

Women in Haitian Labor Market: Rodeline¡¯s Story

The latest Gender Assessment for Haiti: Haiti's Untapped Potential: An Assessment of the Barriers to Gender Equality provides diagnostics, and policy recommendations that make gender gaps more visible to policymakers and stakeholders.


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