Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic that affects women around the world. From physical and sexual abuse to economic and psychological abuse, the prevalence of GBV is shocking and leaves many women feeling powerless. It is important to recognize and address the realities of gender-based violence in order to create a safer future for women everywhere.
Recent Statistics of this Global Epidemic
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “an estimated 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.” On average, there are five times as many female victims of homicide as male victims, and this number is increasing. In addition, the UN Women states that “an estimated 87,000 women were intentionally killed in 2017,” and “35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence.” These statistics show the severity of gender-based violence and its impact on women worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also a leading source on the global health and well-being of women. They provide resources to support victims of gender-based violence and raise awareness of the issue.
The UN Women is another credible source that works to end violence against women and girls. They have launched global initiatives and campaigns to empower women, as well as to promote awareness of the issue.
Finally, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a source dedicated to responding to the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises. They provide emergency assistance to victims of gender-based violence and have supported over 2 million people since 2012.
Take Action Through Empowerment
It is essential that we continue to take action to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence. We must work together to create a world where women are safe and respected. One of the most important steps we can take is to speak out against gender-based violence and raise awareness of the issue.
By making sure that gender-based violence is discussed and taken seriously, we can help create a safer future for women. We must also continue to support victims of gender-based violence. This includes providing them with the resources they need to feel safe, as well as advocating for their rights and providing them with access to legal services. Additionally, we should work to create systems that protect and empower women, such as laws and policies that promote gender equality.
Empowerment is key to ending gender-based violence. It is essential that we work to empower women and girls around the world by providing them with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Empowerment is a crucial step in combating gender-based violence and ensuring that women are safe and respected.
By empowering women, we can create a future in which gender-based violence is a thing of the past. Women and girls are empowered when they are free to act in their own best interest.
LiveYourDream.org dreams of a world where women and girls have the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential, live free from violence, and of course, live their dreams.
Our mission is to provide women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Women are economically empowered when they have control over their own finances and wellbeing, and when they have a voice in the financial decisions to shape their lives and the lives of their families.
Our two Dream Programs are dedicated to helping women and girls achieve economic empowerment:
- The Live Your Dream Awards provide cash grants to women who have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic and sexual violence, and substance abuse. This unique education grants program enables recipients to use the cash awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or skills training—such as tuition, books, childcare and transportation.
- Dream It, Be It helps girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to professional role models, career education and resources to overcome those obstacles. The topics covered in the curriculum include identifying career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, and knowing how to move forward after setbacks or failures.
The global epidemic of gender-based violence against women is a serious issue that must be addressed in order to create a safer future for women. We must work together to raise awareness of the issue and speak out against it. We must empower women around the world by providing them with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Additionally, we must provide victims of gender-based violence with the resources and support they need to feel safe through various programs including the Live Your Dream Awards and Dream It, Be It.
Together, we can create a world in which gender-based violence is no longer a reality!
About the writer: Eleanor Sevua is a safety officer from Papua, New Guinea, who likes to write and would like to do more in the volunteering space.