The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 840 million women globally are still experiencing physical and sexual violence.
Nearly one in three women reportedly experiencing violence from their partners at some point in their lifetime.
316 million or 11%, are aged 15 years and older.
According to WHO, progress in reducing violence against women has been extremely slow, with only a 0.2% decline per year over the past two decades.
WHO also notes that, aside from the 263 million reported cases of sexual violence since the age of 15, many individuals do not report incidents due to fear and shame.
This global problem, which continues to worsen according to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, remains unjust and unequal.
Most of those affected belong to marginalized sectors, including indigenous women, migrant workers, women with disabilities, and women in conflict zones or unsafe areas.
WHO is calling on all countries to take action to address physical and sexual violence against women.
Examples of effective measures include those implemented in Cambodia, Ecuador, Liberia, Trinidad, Tobago, and Uganda, where strong political commitment has resulted in laws and policies that protect women.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Commission on Women and the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15–49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their intimate partners.