Effects of violence against women

Violence against women can cause long-term physical and mental health problems.
Violence and abuse affect not just the women involved but also their children, families, and communities. These effects include harm to an individual’s health, possibly long-term harm to children, and harm to communities such as lost work and homelessness.

Many women also have mental health problems after violence. To cope with the effects of the violence, some women start misusing alcohol or drugs or engage in risky behaviors, such as having unprotected sex. Sexual violence can also affect someone’s perception of their own bodies, leading to unhealthy eating patterns or eating disorders. If you are experiencing these problems, know that you are not alone. There are resources that can help you cope with these challenges.

What's to be done?

1.Create laws and enforce existing laws that protect women from discrimination and violence, including rape, beatings, verbal abuse, mutilation, torture, “honor” killings and trafficking.

2.Educate community members on their responsibilities under international and national human rights laws.

3.Promote the peaceful resolution of disputes by including the perspectives of women and girls.

4.Strengthen women’s ability to earn money and support their households by providing skills training for women.

5.Sensitize the public to the disadvantages of early and forced child marriages.
Highlight the value of girls’ education and of women’s participation in economic development.

6.Encourage women to participate in the political process and educate the public about the value of women’s votes.

7.Raise public awareness of the poor conditions some women face, particularly in rural areas.