What is Violence Against Women?

Violence against women is gender-based behaviour targeting women that causes or threatens physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm. Violence is not limited to physical acts such as beating or injury.

According to the United Nations definition, violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats and coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

Violence is a recurring process that increases in frequency and severity over time. This is why addressing the first incident of violence is crucial for prevention.