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Launch of a Series of Policy Dialogues on Gender Based Violence and Maltreatment of Young People
Post date:
2024/03/10
8 March 2024
A new high-level Series of Policy Dialogues on Gender-Based Violence and Maltreatment of Young People was launched by UNESCO and the Lancet Commission on 8 March 2024 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Following a successful partnership at UNESCO's Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination in São Paulo, Brazil, in December 2023, UNESCO and the Lancet Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Maltreatment of Young People join forces again to engage policymakers against violence against women and children.
"20% of women and more than 7% of men have experienced sexual abuse in their childhood. And every 10 minutes, an adolescent girl is subject to violence somewhere in the world. This must change!"
Gabriela Ramos
Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO
Together, they want to raise awareness on the causes and consequences of men’s violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) and invite decision-makers to discuss policy issues and recommendations informed by survivors and advocates. UNESCO will hold the Series of Policy Dialogues throughout 2024 and 2025, up until the launch of the Lancet Report in the fall of 2025.
Violence against women and children are a pandemic that affects millions globally, with ripple effects across our societies. 736 million women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, and children who experience any form of violence in childhood gave a 13% greater likelihood of not graduating from school. Yet, the consequences are often invisible. Survivors experience severe anxiety, self-blame, depression and this is non-exhaustive.
Eradicating violence against women and young people is a moral imperative. Working towards a world free of violence will also catalyze human, social, and economic development, and will help countries meet the Sustainable Development Goals.