"Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices, yet still one of the least acted upon," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "No society can call itself fair, safe or healthy while half its population lives in fear. Ending this violence is not only a matter of policy; it is a matter of dignity, equality and human rights. Behind every statistic is a woman or girl whose life has been forever altered.  Empowering women and girls is not optional, it's a prerequisite for peace, development and health. A safer world for women is a better world for everyone." World Health Organization November 2025