🌏 Violence against women and girls remains disturbingly high in the Western Pacific, according to a new WHO report released this month. Nearly one in three women globally—and more than one in four in our region—have experienced intimate partner or sexual violence in their lives.
📊 The numbers are stark:
- About 26% of women and girls in the Western Pacific report lifetime intimate partner or sexual violence.
- 9% of women aged 15–49 faced partner violence in the past year (national rates range from 1.2% to 42.2%).
- 4.3% endured non-partner sexual violence in the last 12 months, with 9.4% having faced it at some point.
- In some Pacific island nations, half of all women have experienced partner violence—among the highest rates worldwide.
❤️🩹 "The scourge of violence against women and girls remains one of the most egregious violations of human rights and a serious threat to health," said Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific. He stressed that data must drive stronger policies and better health system readiness.
🔍 A WHO survey on health system readiness shows progress in policy integration but highlights major service gaps. While some countries now include violence response in national health plans, consistent access to critical services—like post-rape care—remains uneven.
📉 Data collection also lags: only half of countries have recent surveys on gender-based violence, and fewer track homicide rates effectively. Experts warn these gaps hinder monitoring, accountability, and effective prevention.
💪 The message is clear: governments and communities need to step up prevention efforts, invest in health system training, and ensure every survivor can access the care they need. Only then can we protect every girl and empower every woman to thrive.
Reference(s):
WHO: Violence against women, girls still widespread in Western Pacific
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