Instead, she found herself linked to a man who “went from being a nice guy to a monster.” He beat her “with his bare hands,” she said. said recently.
The young Yemeni mother is one of an estimated 840 million women worldwide – nearly one in three – who have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner, such as a former or current husband.
Worse still, this figure has barely changed since 2000, with a paltry 0.2 percent annual decline over the past two decades.
In the last 12 months alone, 11 percent of women aged 15 or older, or some 316 million, have been victims of physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner..
An “omnipresent” injustice
“Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most widespread injustices, but it remains one of the least followed“, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The lack of progress is documented in a report released Wednesday by the WHO and other United Nations agencies.
It analyzes data from 168 countries, covering the period from 2000 to 2023, revealing “a bleak picture of a deeply neglected crisis and a seriously underfunded response.”
For the first time, national and regional estimates of sexual violence committed by someone other than a partner – a male relative or friend, for example – are included.
The results show that 263 million women have been victims of sexual violence by another partner since the age of 15a figure that experts warn is significantly underestimated due to stigma and fear.
The financing gap persists
The WHO noted that despite growing evidence of effective strategies to prevent violence against women, financial support continues to be reduced.
In 2022, only 0.2% of global development assistance was spent on these programs, and funding has declined further.
This comes at a time when humanitarian emergencies, rising inequality and other challenges put millions of women and girls at risk.
Violence starts early
Women who experience violence face unwanted pregnancies, a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and suffering from depression, the report said.
Furthermore, violence against women begins early and risks persist throughout life. In the last 12 months alone, 12.5 million young women aged 15 to 19 were victims of physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
“Data shows that many women first experience violence from a partner when they are adolescents. many children grow up watching their mothers being pushed, hit or humiliated, with violence being a part of everyday life“, said Catherine Russell, executive director of the children’s rights agency. UNICEF.
The key is to break this pattern, she added.
Action, support and investment
The report was published before International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girlsobserved each year on November 25.
It calls for decisive government action and funding to scale up evidence-based prevention programs and to strengthen health, legal and social services for survivors.
Countries must also invest in data systems to track progress and reach groups most at risk, in addition to implementing laws and policies that empower women and girls.
“No society can call itself just, safe or healthy when half of its population lives in fear.“said Tedros.
“Ending this violence is not just a matter of politics; it’s about dignity, equality and human rights. »
Salma’s dream
Salma* is now back at school, after a judge finally released her to her parents.
She was also referred to a safe space supported by the United Nations reproductive agency, UNFPAwhere she learned her rights and remains true to her dream of becoming a doctor.
“We must urgently act together to end this violence and ensure that every woman and girl, in all their diversity, can exercise their rights, realize their potential and contribute fully to fairer, more equal and more prosperous societies,” said Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA.
*Name changed for protection reasons.
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
