Violence against women and girls is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations. It is rooted in gendered social structures rather than individual and random acts; it cuts across age, socio-economic, educational and geographic boundaries; affects all societies; and is a major obstacle to ending gender inequality and discrimination globally.

The United Nations defines 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 private life.

Prevention should start early in life, by educating and working with young boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality. Working with youth is a “best bet” for faster, sustained progress on preventing and eradicating gender-based violence.

Ways to Reduce Violence Against Women and Girls

Education/Working

Prevention should start early in life from parents and at school, by educating and working with young boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality. Parents and elders have a responsibility to improve their situations by educating their children/students on moral ethics and high values. For example, Dina Hossam, 21, from Cairo, Egypt, participated in the most recent Training of Trainers workshop for UN Women’s Voices against Violence project, in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and with the support of Zonta International. Dina believes her age is an advantage: “I’m able to relate to other young people. My job is to start the conversation. The Voices against Violence curriculum gives me the knowledge and skills I need to talk about this issue with young people.”

Technology/Media

Violence is literally everywhere: in video games, movies, books, music videos, and cartoons, on the nightly news and the Web, and even in commercials. We can take responsibility for our role in perpetuating media violence. Writers, directors, producers, and executives can all work to change the ways in which violence is presented on television. Advertisers can request and support non-violent programs that also get good ratings. And parents can make especially important contributions by taking charge of their televisions and taking responsibility for what their families watch.

Public Awareness/Global Campaigns

Bring Greater Attention to Violence. It is important for people to be aware of the violence that is already occurring. This isn’t a problem that can be swept under the rug; it should be brought out in the open. The harder it is to hide violence, the less likely it is that it will occur.

Public awareness raising campaigns can be used to initiate public debate about violence against women and challenge social norms. Indeed, some of the more promising awareness campaigns are those that use mainstream media and common technology to promote seldom-heard or thought-provoking messages about violence against women. For example, Non-government Organization (NGOs) have partnered with mobile phone providers to send anti-violence text messages to their customers. Public awareness campaigns can use a variety of media (television, radio, film, theater, dance, internet etc.) as well as tools to spread messages (posters, brochures, calendars, t-shirts etc.).

End Forced Marriages

In some countries, women are forced to become married while they are still very young. In fact, in some parts of the world it is common for women to become a bride before she is 18 years old. When a young woman is forced into a marriage like this, she is essentially being trapped. A study conducted by International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) in two states in India found that girls who were married before 18 were twice likely to report being beaten, slapped or threatened by their husbands.

While there is no way to stop violence completely, there are numbers of things that can help reduce the amount of violence that occurs. If we can change hearts and minds, then we can change the way women are treated around the world. We need to do everything we can to build a better world for our children, and ending violence against women is a part of that.

Be Aware of Resources

Support girls and women by providing information on where they can get further support and safety. Be a positive resource for girls close to you by sharing information and making referrals.

What can you do to STOP Violence Against Women?

Share the five ways listed to reduce violence against women and girls to friends, families, neighbors and add on any other ideas you think could help STOP any violence against women and girls.

Also please sign the online petition below.