……….Lockdowns and restrictions have left victims vulnerable by isolating them — often with their abusers — and by making it more challenging to get support and medical treatment. (Shutterstock image)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A shocking new analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that nearly a quarter of adolescent girls in relationships will experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by age 20, with almost 1 in 6 facing such violence in the past year alone.
The study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, highlights the devastating impacts of partner violence on young people’s health, education, and lifelong prospects. WHO experts emphasize the need for targeted support and prevention measures to address this critical public health issue.
The analysis finds significant regional and country-level differences in prevalence, with Oceania and central sub-Saharan Africa being the worst-affected regions. Lower-income countries and regions with weaker legal protections and economic empowerment for women and girls are also more likely to experience intimate partner violence.
WHO experts stress the importance of policies and programs that promote gender equality, including secondary education for all girls, gender-equal property rights, and ending child marriage. The organization supports countries in measuring and addressing violence against women, with new guidelines on preventing child marriage set to be released by the end of 2024.
WHO/Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
