At least 1 in 3 women have experienced violence, globally. At least one in three young women in Africa are married before they turn 18. About 200 million girls and women have been subjected to female genital mutilation. Gender-based violence is the most pervasive violation of human rights, but it can and must be prevented.

Child marriage in Zambia is a complex issue that has gained increased attention over recent years. In addressing its high incidence particularly in remote parts of the country, the Government of Zambia has developed some policies and legal instruments, including a national strategy designed in 2016 to reduce child marriages by 40 per cent by 2021.

Alegnta was an integral part of the efforts of our organization, Setaweet in combating gender-based violence. The project aims to address a gap in providing services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse who approach the center in increasing numbers.

38-year-old, Ali Dabaso is a resident of Isiolo county in the northern part of Kenya and serves as a male champion. Cases of Female genital mutilation and physical violence are common in this region and heavily tied to cultural norms, traditions and beliefs that have disadvantaged women and girls.

Aisha*, 12 years old, is now living in a shelter in the coastal region of Kenya, with 34 other children who have experienced gender-based violence. When schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these girls fell victims to sexual abuse within their homes.

Thirteen-year-old Lydia Mwela from Zambia has observed too many girls in her community becoming pregnant, suffering gender-based violence and testing positive for HIV. She does not wish to end up in a similar situation herself. Through knowledge she is gaining at school, she has become empowered to make her own informed choices and create the future she dreams of for herself. She is learning about healthy relationships, good values, the human rights she is entitled to, and sexual and...

Starting on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), hundreds of events worldwide, led by UN Women and partners, will bolster efforts to end a pandemic that impacts one in three women globally. From marches, flashmobs and concerts, to football and rugby games, events will be organized and iconic buildings lit up in orange to galvanize attention during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December).

Liberia is grappling with rising incidences of sexual and gender-based violence. Children as young as six are being raped, with devastating impact on their health and wellbeing. Little Decontee from Nimba County was returning from the farm when a 22-year old male relative raped her.

UN Women under the Young Women and Leadership Project (YWLP) implemented in partnership with FOWODE. From the training, she got to understand issues of gender equality and the equal roles men and women have to play towards achieving peace and development.

The United Nations in Ethiopia commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence on the 25 th November 2015. The UN Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie opened the kicking-off ceremony of 16 Days of Activism campaign in the country, in parallel to the orange lighting of the permanent headquarters for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) with...

Julienne Lusenge is Director of the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) and President of SOFEPADI in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she says “violence is a part of daily life”. In October 2015, she spoke about gender-based violence in conflict at the UN Security Council's Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security:

In her statement to mark this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says “if we all work together: governments, civil society organizations, the UN system, businesses, schools, and individuals mobilizing through new solidarity movements, we will eventually achieve a more equal world—a Planet 50-50—where women and girls can and will live free from violence”.

On the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we feature the efforts of Tanzanian activists who travelled by bus across the country, giving workshops, performances and urging people to raise awareness around violence against women and harmful traditional practices.

Kumbukani Mwanyongo is 24 years old, unmarried, and an aspiring pharmacist from Malawi. She is also a member of the Malawi Girl Guides Association and a trained peer facilitator working to educate others about girls' rights. Globally, more than one in three young women aged 20-24 years were first married before they reached age 18.