One in three women faces violence at least once in life

UN Women published a report on the rise of violence against women and girls worldwide, describing it as one of the most widespread human rights violations. Its global estimates indicate that one out of every three women has been subjected at least once in her lifetime to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, or to sexual violence by a non-partner, or to both.

The organization explained that this year’s edition of the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November – 10 December), focused on “digital violence,” describing it as a rapidly growing threat aimed at silencing the voices of women, especially those with a prominent public or digital presence in politics, civil activism, and journalism.

It stated that digital violence includes online stalking and harassment, sexual harassment, cyberbullying, the sharing of intimate images without the victim’s consent, in addition to enticement, impersonation, and threats, as well as sexist hate content and disinformation.

It also warned that many of these acts may turn into “actual violence in real life,” ranging from coercion and physical assault to gender-based killing. It confirmed that digital violence particularly affects women facing intersecting forms of discrimination, including on the basis of race, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation, which makes prevention and support efforts even more urgent.

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ANHA