A shocking report has been released by the World Health Organization. More than one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence.
Along with other groups, WHO says 38% of all women murdered were killed by their partners, and such violence is a major contributor to depression and other health problems.
WHO, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) released the report on partner and non-partner violence against women.
It is claimed to be the first systematic study of global data. The report details the impact on girls and women on both the physical and mental health. Fear of stigma prevents many women from reporting sexual violence. WHO says new guidelines must be adopted by health officials around the world to prevent the abuse and offer better protection to victims.
Below—Figures for women who have suffered violence from a partner (%)
WHO region Prevalence
Source: WHO, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, South African Medical Research Council
Low and middle-income regions
AFRICA (Botswana, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe) 36.6%
AMERICAS (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia) 29.8%
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Palestinian territories) 37.0%
EUROPE (Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania, Rep of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine) 25.4%
SOUTH-EAST ASIA (Bangladesh, East Timor, India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand) 37.7%
WESTERN PACIFIC (Cambodia, China, Philippines, Samoa, Vietnam) 24.6%
High income(Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US) 23.2%
Violence from someone who was not their partner more than halved the percentage in all areas.
Along with other groups, WHO says 38% of all women murdered were killed by their partners, and such violence is a major contributor to depression and other health problems.
WHO, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) released the report on partner and non-partner violence against women.
It is claimed to be the first systematic study of global data. The report details the impact on girls and women on both the physical and mental health. Fear of stigma prevents many women from reporting sexual violence. WHO says new guidelines must be adopted by health officials around the world to prevent the abuse and offer better protection to victims.
Below—Figures for women who have suffered violence from a partner (%)
WHO region Prevalence
Source: WHO, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, South African Medical Research Council
Low and middle-income regions
AFRICA (Botswana, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe) 36.6%
AMERICAS (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia) 29.8%
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Palestinian territories) 37.0%
EUROPE (Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania, Rep of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine) 25.4%
SOUTH-EAST ASIA (Bangladesh, East Timor, India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand) 37.7%
WESTERN PACIFIC (Cambodia, China, Philippines, Samoa, Vietnam) 24.6%
High income(Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US) 23.2%
Violence from someone who was not their partner more than halved the percentage in all areas.
| I've touched on verbal abuse at the beginning of my novel, Still Rock Water. A partner's demeaning, belittling words can cause mental harm. Just with physical abuse, bad mouthing can lead to a breakdown unless a woman can face the stigma and seek help. It takes courage to admit that your partner isn't the person everyone else perceives him to be. Take action now before it's too late. |
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