The fight to stop violence against women

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost one in three women in the world has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their life. Current or former intimate partners often perpetrate this violence. 

This data comes from a 2000-2018 analysis of reports from survivors across 161 countries and areas. In the U.S. alone, over one in three women (35.6%) have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

These stark figures demonstrate the ongoing crisis of violence against women. Learn about the causes of gender-based violence, the ways to prevent it, and some of the advocates working to end these threats and dangerous realities for women.

What is gender-based violence?

In 1993, in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the UN defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

In the U.S., CDC data shows that about 41% of women experienced “contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported a related impact”.

The UN identifies the following as the main types of violence against women and girls:

Intimate partner violence

This is one of the most common forms of violence against women across the world, referring to physical, sexual or psychological harm by an intimate partner or ex-partner.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence is any sort of harmful or unwanted sexual behavior imposed on someone. It includes many different forms of nonconsensual violations. Here are the most common types of sexual violence.

• Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including jokes, comments, or unwelcome physical contact, that affects individuals.
• Rape: Non-consensual penetration involving physical violence or coercion, often within relationships or during conflict, causing severe psychological harm.
• Corrective rape: A targeted attack on individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity to force conformity to heterosexual norms.
• Sexual violence in conflict: Human rights violations in armed conflict, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced pregnancy, and coerced sterilization.

Femicide 

Femicide is the intentional killing of women and girls due to gender, rooted in discrimination and societal power imbalances.

Human trafficking 

Human trafficking is a crime exploiting individuals for profit through abuse and manipulation, with women and girls often targeted for sexual exploitation.

Female genital mutilation

Genital mutilation involves non-medical procedures harming female genitalia, leading to long-term health and psychological impacts, linked to gender inequality.

Child and forced marriage 

Arranged marriage unions involving minors or coercion violates children’s rights and causes risks like early pregnancies and school dropout.

Online or technology-facilitated violence

Online and digital harassment is another common type, including stalking, image-based abuse, and cyberbullying. It often disproportionately impacts visible women, activists, and public figures.

The road to ending violence against women and girls

The movement to end violence against women and girls requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating prevention, intervention, and systemic support. 

We can make impactful strides by addressing root causes, empowering survivors, and creating safe spaces. Below are key strategies and resources to actively participate in stopping violence against women and girls.

Understand and teach consent

Teaching and understanding consent is foundational to preventing violence. Consent education goes beyond saying “no” — it encompasses respecting boundaries, recognizing non-verbal cues, and promoting healthy communication. 

By incorporating consent discussions into early education, we help normalize mutual respect, build self-awareness, and encourage responsibility in all relationships. 

Believe victims

Listening to and believing victims without judgment is crucial. When survivors are supported, they are more likely to seek help and report abuse, contributing to a safer society. 

Validation helps reduce victim-blaming and shifts responsibility to perpetrators. 

Speak out and call out sexism

Speaking out against sexism in everyday situations helps dismantle the culture that enables violence. Sexist language and behavior reinforce harmful gender norms, contributing to an environment where violence is more likely to occur. 

Publicly challenging these behaviors and advocating for equality can drive societal change and make sure perpetrators are held accountable. 

Engage men and boys

Involving men and boys is essential in the fight against gender violence. Encouraging positive, respectful masculinity and teaching empathy from a young age helps break cycles of violence. 

Programs such as Men Can Stop Rape offer education and outreach that challenge harmful behaviors, fostering allies in men and boys to promote safer communities.

Make your voice heard through petitions

Petitions can spark real change by bringing visibility to pressing issues. Platforms like Change.org help raise awareness, gain support, and influence policymakers by putting public pressure on important issues related to violence against women and girls. 

Organizing around a cause builds community momentum and can impact legislation or institutional policies and prevent violence.

Challenge gender stereotypes

Challenging gender stereotypes in media, workplaces, and everyday life helps dismantle beliefs that fuel violence. 

Gender equality campaigns and personal actions to counter stereotypes promote diverse roles for women and men, reducing the normalization of power imbalances that enable violence. 

Create and support safe spaces

Safe spaces provide refuge, resources, and a sense of security for survivors and women and girls in vulnerable situations. 

This includes making sure all aspects of private and public life are safe spaces for women, as well as supporting specific safe spaces such as shelters to help empower women and girls victims of violence.

Learn to see the signs of violence against women and girls

Recognizing the signs of abuse helps prevent escalation and enables timely intervention. 

Learning these signs — such as emotional withdrawal, physical injuries, or controlling relationships — can help others provide support or connect survivors with resources. 

Petitions on Change.org to end violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls is present in all aspects of life, but by making your voice heard through petitions, you can contribute to putting an end to it. Starting one is easier than you think.

The following petitions are examples of advocates using their voices to change the state of violence against women and girls around the world.

Stop targeted abuse and harassment of women on social media

With over 142,000 signatures, this petition was started in July 2020 as part of the #IndiaAgainstAbuse campaign. It was backed by major names such as Save the Children, Breakthrough India and actors Sayani Gupta and Manavi Gagroo. 

“We demand a safe space for women in all public forums and social media like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc. An environment where abusive trolling, rape threats, vulgar memes about us will not be tolerated,” states the petition. 

It got Instagram to introduce stricter actions on abusive behavior, including stricter penalties for people who violate their Community Guidelines, as well as adding new controls for creators to manage who can message or add them to groups in Instagram Direct. 

Stop violence against women in Australia

Started in November 2023, this petition looked to put a focus on violence against women in Australia following the killing of four women in the space of a week.

After reaching over 21,000 signatures, its starter – Mel Arnost – traveled to Canberra and delivered it to Allegra Spender, an independent Member of Parliament, who tabled it in Parliament.

As of November 2024, the petition has reached over 34,370 signatures.

Justice for Amie: Update domestic violence laws

With over 320,300 signatures, this petition advocates for stronger laws to protect victims of domestic violence. 

It was started by a friend of Dr. Amie Harwick. Amie was killed by an ex-boyfriend after the restraining order she had on him expired. The petition states that they hadn’t dated for over a decade.

The petition got responses from Susan Rubio, state senator in California’s 22nd district, and Congressman Adam Shift.

Drop all charges for incarcerated trafficking survivor Chrystul Kizer

Started in January 2019, this petition calls for the release from prison of Chrystul Kizer, a young Black survivor of human trafficking. At 17, she killed the man who had abused her and was looking at serving a life sentence.

The petition has over 1.5 million signatures and the case got international attention. 

In 2024, Kizer accepted a plea deal to avoid a life term and is now serving an 11-year sentence.

Join the movement to end violence against women

Ending violence against women and girls requires collective action. By simple gestures like engaging in conversations about consent, believing victims, and challenging gender stereotypes, a cultural shift that prioritizes safety and respect for all can take place to ensure women’s rights. 

Change.org provides a powerful platform for individuals to raise awareness and advocate for change. You can start a petition, support an existing one, or learn more about how to make your petitions strong for maximum impact. 

Together, people can bring attention to this critical issue and push for meaningful reforms.