On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that almost one in three women worldwide undergo physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. According to estimates, the South-East Asia Region (SEARO) holds the second-highest global rate, with approximately 33% of women experiencing such violence. Emphasizing the universal right to a life free from violence, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the WHO SEARO regional director, highlighted the heightened risk faced by women from those they live with, predominantly in the form of intimate partner violence.
Dr. Singh underscored the severe health consequences of violence against women, encompassing immediate and long-term impacts, including injuries and significant physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues. The pervasive nature of this violence and its profound health effects position it as a critical public health concern. Commencing the ’16 Days of Activism’ against ‘Gender-based Violence,’ Dr. Singh asserted that violence against women is preventable, rooted in gender inequality and harmful norms. She explained that evidence indicates intimate partner violence and sexual violence arise from factors at individual, family, community, and societal levels. This recognition underscores the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address and eradicate gender-based violence.
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