According to a document published by the World Health Organization, one in three women in the world suffered sexual violence or violence by their partner.
At least 840 million women around the world, almost one in three, have suffered physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, a figure that has “barely changed” in the last two decades. This is the main conclusion of a new report on violence against women prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with other agencies.
The report, considered the most comprehensive global assessment on this topic to date, describes violence against women as a “global public health emergency” and analyzes existing data from 168 countries and territories between 2000 and 2023.
“All surveys are likely to underestimate the true prevalence of violence against women, as many women do not disclose these experiences, especially when such violence is highly stigmatized. Sexual violence is especially underrepresented in many settings,” notes the document published on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, which is commemorated on November 25.
The WHO warns that several factors are causing an increase in cases, including the growing number of armed conflicts and the rapid rise of technology.
Report data:
The aggressors: All over the world, the most common thing is that women’s attackers are their male partners.
The victims: 316 million women aged 15 years or older (11% of the total), in the last year, suffered at least one case of physical or sexual abuse by their partner.
Type of abuse: Violence against women includes being forced or coerced into sexual relations, being slapped, hit, dragged, abused or threatened, or assaulted with a gun, knife or other weapon.
When the abuse starts: Abuse begins early and risks persist throughout life. According to the study, in the last year alone, 12.5 million adolescents between 15 and 19 years old (16% of the total) have suffered physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
Fewer victims: The World Health Organization report reveals that the number of intimate partner abuse has decreased by only 5% since 2000, or 0.2% annually, which is equivalent to about 17 million fewer victims. A “very insufficient” figure, says the WHO.
Beyond the couple: At least 263 million women have suffered sexual violence from a family member, friend, authority figure or stranger in the last year.
Violence by region:
The report presents the figures of violence against women by their partners, by region:
- Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand): 57%. It has the highest rate of violence against women.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 32%.
- Asia (south and center): 30.8%.
- North America: 29%
- Latin America: 22%
- Southern Europe: 15.5%. The lowest rates are recorded in this region.
What is happening in Latin America
- The statistics of violence against women in Latin America is below the world average of 25.8%, since according to the study data, 22.8% of Latinas have suffered some type of violence from their partners.
- However, countries such as Bolivia (52.8), Costa Rica (34.2%), Argentina (33.8%) and Colombia (29.8%) are above the average.
- Central America is the region in the world with the highest rate of women victims of violence outside the couple (23.3%)
Recommendations
- The WHO urges governments to take more decisive action, strengthen prevention programs and create a network of health, legal and social support for victims and survivors.
- Promote investments in organizations that serve women, both through national budgets and development aid. The WHO reports that in 2022 only 0.2% of global development aid was directed to programs against this problem, a percentage that is also decreasing.
- Strengthen laws for the empowerment of women and girls, and investment in data collection systems.
*Also read: Utopix counts 106 femicides committed between January and August 2025
With information from the United Nations
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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