Hundreds of millions of young people confront social and economic obstacles to their well-being every day. Violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations worldwide. Did you know that:
– 1 in 3 women worldwide have been sexually, physically or psychologically abused in their lifetime.
– Worldwide, up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under the age of 16.
– Every day, 39,000 girls become child brides.
– 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation.
The fight to end violence against women and girls has been an uphill battle, with tremendous progress in the last decade. Governments, communities and families have all played an instrumental role in working to tear down these barriers. But there is still much to be done.
That’s why we’re placing the spotlight on eliminating violence and harmful practices against women and girls — because we all deserve equal rights and opportunities.
Join me today in taking action to raise awareness about violence and call on world leaders to invest in young people in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. But first…
Check out 10 ways we are making progress to curb violence against women below.
1. Keeping girls in school
Education has been a top priority since 2000. Many governments have committed to increase the quality of education for girls, and have made efforts to keep girls in school longer. By increasing access to education we are keeping girls in school and away from violence, as well as empowering them to act as knowledgeable, educated adults who make informed decisions.