Gender violence – a barrier to women empowerment

  • Women who experience violence are more at risk of unwanted pregnancies, maternal and infant mortality, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
  • Such violence can cause direct and long-term physical and mental health consequences.
  • Exposure to violence has been linked with a multitude of adverse health outcomes, including acute injuries, chronic pain, gastrointestinal illness, gynaecological problems, depression, and substance abuse.
  • Mental health consequences include increasing women’s risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse
  • In many societies, women who are raped or sexually abused are stigmatised and isolated, which impacts not only their well-being, but also their social participation, opportunities and quality of life.
  • Women who experience violence from their partners are less likely to earn a living and are less able to care for their children or participate meaningfully in community activities or social interaction that might help end the abuse.
  • Women exposed to partner violence have higher work absenteeism, lower productivity, and lower earnings than working women who are not beaten.
  • Women in formal wage work who are exposed to severe partner abuse (both lifetime and current) have 60 per-cent lower earnings.