Children’s exposure to domestic violence is highest in Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and South Asia, reflecting deep regional inequalities and widespread patterns of abuse experienced by women worldwide.
“Today, millions of women and children live in homes where violence is a part of daily life,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The safety and autonomy of women are paramount to the well-being of children. »
A violation of human rights
The analysis follows an update UN global estimates on violence against womenpublished by the World Health Organization (WHO) on behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence Against Women.
These estimates show that more than one in 10 adolescent girls and women aged 15 and over have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in the past 12 months.
Violence against women – particularly domestic violence and sexual violence – is a major public health and clinical problem and a violation of women’s human rights. It is rooted in and perpetuates gender inequalities.
Globally, one in three women are victims of physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetimeprimarily by an intimate partner – a stark reminder of the extent of gender inequality and discrimination against women.
Where women and children are most at risk
For the first time, UNICEF regional data highlights where women and children are most at risk.
In Oceania, just over half of children – around three million – live with a mother who has recently experienced domestic violence. Sub-Saharan Africa follows with 32 percent, affecting 187 million children. Central and South Asia, although slightly lower at 29 percent, accounts for the largest number of affected children in the world, with 201 million children affected.
Other regional results include:
- North Africa and West Asia: 26 percent, or 52 million children
- East and Southeast Asia: 21 percent, or 105 million children
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 19 percent, or 35 million children
- Europe and North America: 13 percent, or 28 million children
- Australia and New Zealand: 5 percent, or about 400,000 children
Long-term consequences
Children living in homes where their mothers are victims of violence are at increased risk of direct and indirect harm, UNICEF has warned.
Even if they are not physically abused themselvesWitnessing violence can erode trust between children and caregiversleave deep emotional scars and cause trauma that often lasts into adulthood.
Exposure to domestic violence also increases the likelihood that children will experience or perpetuate violence later in life, with long-term consequences for their safety, development, health and education.
UNICEF is urging governments to take stronger action, calling for integrated strategies that tackle both violence against women and children, underpinned by support for organizations led by women and girls.
It highlights the need for broader access to survivor-centered services, greater investment in prevention – including parenting and school programs – and efforts to challenge harmful social norms while elevating the voices of survivors and young people.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
