Instead, she found herself tied to a man who “changed from being kind to being a monster.” He would beat her “with his bare hands,” she said recently.

The young mother from Yemen is among the roughly 840 million women worldwide – nearly one in three – who have faced physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner, such as a former or current husband.

Even worse, this figure has barely changed since the year 2000, with a paltry 0.2 per cent annual decline over the past two decades.

In the last 12 months alone, 11 per cent of women aged 15 or older, some 316 million, were subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. 

A ‘pervasive’ injustice

“Violence against women is one of humanity’s oldest and most pervasive injustices, yet still one of the least acted upon,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The lack of progress is documented in a report published on Wednesday by WHO and other UN agencies.  

It analyses data from 168 countries, covering the period from 2000 to 2023, revealing “a stark picture of a deeply neglected crisis and critically underfunded response.”

For the first time, national and regional estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partner – a male relative or friend, for example – are included.  

Findings show that 263 million women have experienced non-partner sexual violence since age 15, a figure experts caution is significantly under-reported due to stigma and fear.

Funding shortfall persists

WHO noted that despite mounting evidence of effective strategies for the prevention of violence against women, financial support continues to be slashed.

In 2022, only 0.2 per cent of global development aid went to these programmes, and funding has fallen further. 

This is happening at a time when humanitarian emergencies, rising inequality and other challenges are putting millions of women and girls at risk. 

Violence begins early

Women subjected to violence face unintended pregnancies, a higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections and experiencing depression, according to the report.

Furthermore, violence against women begins early, and risks persist throughout life. In the past 12 months alone, 12.5 million young women aged 15-19 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner.

“The data shows that many women first experience violence from a partner when they are adolescents. And many children grow up watching their mothers being pushed, hit or humiliated, with violence a part of daily life,” said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the child rights agency UNICEF. 

The key is to break this pattern, she added. 

Action, support and investment

The report was released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, observed annually on 25 November.

It calls for decisive government action and funding to scale-up evidenced-based prevention programmes and to strengthen health, legal and social services for survivors.

Countries must also invest in data systems to track progress and reach those groups most at risk, in addition to enforcing laws and policies that empower women and girls.

“No society can call itself fair, safe or healthy while half its population lives in fear,” said Tedros. 

“Ending this violence is not only a matter of policy; it is a matter of dignity, equality and human rights.”

Salma’s dream

Salma* is now back at school, after a judge eventually released her to her parents. 

She was also referred to safe space supported by the UN reproductive agency, UNFPA, where she learned about her rights, and stands firm in her dream to become a doctor.

“We must act urgently together to end this violence and ensure that every woman and girl, in all her diversity, can exercise her rights, realize her potential and contribute fully to more just, equal and prosperous societies,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA Executive Director. 

*Name changed for protection.

She knows what it’s like to be silenced.

Born into a family that didn’t believe in educating girls, she had to stay home while her brothers went to school. Only when she moved to Khartoum with her uncle did she get a chance to study, though not for long.

“I was forced into marriage at 14,” Awrelia said. “Even before then, some relatives scolded me just for going to school. I fought to finish primary school, but I couldn’t go any further.” 

Even so, she never gave up on the value of education – especially for her daughters. “I hope they grow up to be responsible and successful women leaders. Something has to change for girls.”

Widowed mother of eight

In South Sudan, where conflict and deeply entrenched gender norms have shaped life for generations, change comes slowly – yet women like Awrelia are leading it with courage and determination.

A widowed mother of eight, she has spent years raising her children alone, often under difficult and uncertain conditions. 

“Their father died when they were very young. My eldest was still in primary school,” Awrelia recounts. “I’ve been raising them alone ever since.” 

In her daily life, Awrelia constantly navigates complex family dynamics, scarcity, and stigma, but she keeps going. “People expect us to endure silently. Even when women try to seek help, no one responds.” 

In public spaces, the challenges are even greater. Speaking ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marked annually on 25 November, Awrelia described how women are often dismissed or ignored. “They say we’re just women, as if our voices don’t matter,” she said. “I kept quiet for years because I was afraid to speak up.” 

Nearly 1,400 women across South Sudan have benefitted from leadership training.

Transformative training

But even before she spoke out, Awrelia was leading in her own way – fighting for her children’s education and holding her family together. That strength deepened when she joined a women’s leadership training organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Wau. 

The training is included in IOM’s gender-transformative recovery programme – part of a broader, locally led effort to strengthen women’s leadership and ensure their participation in community decisions.

Across South Sudan, women’s groups and grassroots movements have long been laying the groundwork for change. The five-day course builds on that momentum, offering women a safe space to reflect, learn, and grow together. 

I learned that being a leader means treating others fairly and solving problems with patience. The training gave me courage to stand up for myself. Now I know I can lead.

“I learned that being a leader means treating others fairly and solving problems with patience,” she said. “The training gave me courage to stand up for myself. Now I know I can lead.” 

Back in her community, she put her new confidence into action. Her local women’s group had nearly collapsed, but she brought it back together. Now they meet regularly to support one another and share their challenges. 

Though they lack funding for income-generating activities like sewing or catering, the group offers something equally powerful: solidarity.

Women run households

In many displacement-affected areas of South Sudan, women head up to 80 per cent of households.

In Wau, Bentiu, Malakal, and other areas where IOM runs the programme, more women are stepping forward. Those who once stayed silent now speak up at meetings, support survivors of violence, and build networks to share experiences and grow together. 

Awrelia has noticed a change in how she is perceived. “People recognize me now,” she said. “During a meeting with chiefs and women leaders, they mentioned my name and honoured me in front of everyone. It made me feel proud. The women I lead respect me, and I respect them.” 

From homes to community halls, women like Awrelia are finding their voices and reshaping what the future can look like – for their daughters, their families, and their country.