Protection

Why is it important? 

The protection of women, young people and children is more important than ever. 

• Every five minutes a child dies as a result of violence. 
• 1 billion children experience physical, sexual or emotional violence or neglect each year. 
• 9 in 10 child victims of sexual violence are girls. 
• 12 million girls marry before their 18th birthday each year. 
• 85 million children are engaged in hazardous child labor. 
• 1 in every 6 children in the world is living in a conflict zone. 

Women & Young People  

• According to UN Women an estimated 736 million women, globally with, almost one in three— have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. 
• Globally, 6 per cent of women report they have been subjected to sexual violence from someone other than their husband or partner. However, the true prevalence of non-partner sexual violence is likely to be much higher, considering the particular  stigma related to this form of  violence. Globally, violence against women disproportionately affects  low- and lower-middle-income  countries and regions.  
• Adult women account for nearly half (49 per cent) of all human trafficking victims detected globally. 
• At least 200 million women and girls, aged 15–49 years, have undergone female genital mutilation in 31 countries where the practice is concentrated. 

Fewer than 40 per cent of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort. In the majority of countries with available data on this issue, among women who do seek help, most look to family and friends, and very few look to formal institutions, such as police and health services. Fewer than 10 per cent of those seeking help appealed to the police 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to a steep increase in violence against women and girls. With lock down measures in place, many women are trapped at home with their abusers, struggling to access services that are suffering from cuts and restrictions. Emerging data shows that, since the outbreak of the pandemic, violence against women and girls – and particularly domestic violence – has intensified.