Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018

This data publication from the World Health Organization, on behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence Against Women Estimation and Data, provides the most up-to-date estimates of two of the most common forms of violence against women: intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. Intimate partner violence is described in this report as violence by a husband or male intimate partner (physical, sexual or psychological) and is the most widespread form of violence against women globally. Non-partner sexual violence is perpetrated by those other than a current or former husband or partner, including friends, relatives, and strangers. Violence against women has been an internationally recognized issue for nearly 30 years, starting with the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1993. However, in 2020 with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, new attention was brought to the issue of addressing violence against women, as lockdown and social distancing rules have led to an increase in domestic violence – particularly intimate partner violence against women.

This data publication estimates that 641 million women who have ever been married or partnered have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence at least once since the age of 15. An estimated 245 million women in this same category have been subjected to intimate partner violence in the last 12 months. Nearly 25% of women who have ever been married or had a partner in the youngest age group of 15 to 19 years have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The data publication also estimates that 6% of women 15 and older have been subjected to non-partner sexual violence at least once over their life course. This publication further breaks down the prevalence of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence for regions and countries.

Also included with the data publication is an executive summary and a database on the prevalence of violence against women.