Across the world, violence against women remains one of the most persistent and under-addressed crises of our time. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a landmark report showing that nearly one in three women approximately 840 million globally have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner at some point in their lives. Alarmingly, these numbers have barely shifted in the past two decades, highlighting the slow and uneven progress in protecting women’s rights.
In just the last year, 316 million women aged 15 and older reported suffering violence from an intimate partner. Beyond partners, the report also estimates that 263 million women have experienced sexual assault by someone other than a partner, though experts emphasize that these figures are likely underestimates due to stigma, fear, and underreporting.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stressed the urgency of the situation: “Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices. No society can claim to be fair or safe while half its population lives in fear. Protecting women is not optional it is a prerequisite for peace, development, and dignity.”
Despite the compelling evidence, funding to prevent and respond to violence against women remains critically low. In 2022, only 0.2% of global development aid was dedicated to such programs, and this figure has continued to decline in 2025. Meanwhile, socio-economic inequality, climate vulnerability, and humanitarian crises have further amplified risks for millions of women and girls.
The consequences of violence are profound. Survivors often face a higher likelihood of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable: in the past year, 12.5 million girls aged 15–19 or 16% of that age group reported experiencing physical or sexual violence from a partner. Early exposure to abuse can have lasting effects on health, education, and future opportunities, making prevention during adolescence crucial.
Regional differences are striking. In Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), intimate partner violence over the past year affects 38% of women, more than three times the global average of 11%. Central and Southern Asia report prevalence rates of 18%, Southern Asia 19%, Sub-Saharan Africa 17%, and Least Developed Countries 18%. Even Northern Africa and Western Asia report significant numbers, with 14–16% of women affected, while Europe and North America show lower but still concerning figures around 5%.
While these statistics are alarming, the report also highlights that meaningful progress is possible when governments commit to action. Cambodia, for example, is updating domestic violence legislation, enhancing service delivery, refurbishing shelters, and introducing digital prevention programs in schools and communities. Similarly, Ecuador, Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uganda have developed costed national action plans, combining legal reforms, advocacy, and domestic financing to tackle violence and support survivors.
The WHO calls for urgent global action to address the crisis. Governments are urged to scale up evidence-based prevention programs, strengthen survivor-centered health, legal, and social services, invest in data systems to monitor progress and reach the most vulnerable groups, and enforce laws that empower women and girls. As Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, notes, “Advancing gender equality and ending violence is how we build safer, more equitable societies for everyone.”
One of the most sobering aspects of the report is the lifelong risk women face. Violence does not stop in childhood or adolescence; it continues throughout adulthood. Survivors often contend with the long-term physical, emotional, and social consequences of abuse, underlining the importance of consistent support systems and accessible services.
The report also highlights gaps in data collection. Non-partner sexual violence, the experiences of marginalized women, and the effects in fragile or conflict-affected settings remain under-researched, which hampers effective policy-making. Without comprehensive data, it is difficult to implement interventions that truly reach those most at risk.
The takeaway is clear: the scale of violence against women is staggering, but it is not inevitable. Political will, adequate funding, and comprehensive, survivor-centered strategies can prevent abuse, reduce harm, and empower women to live free from fear. Ending violence against women is not merely a moral obligation; it is a cornerstone of healthier, safer, and more just societies.
For nearly a billion women worldwide, inaction is not an option. The WHO report is a powerful reminder that protecting women and girls must be a global priority because when women are safe, entire communities thrive.
Source: WHO, “Lifetime toll: 840 million women faced partner or sexual violence,” 19 November 2025.
