Global Evidence: What We Know About Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

Image

We are a leading research institute working to prevent violence against women and girls.

At the Global Women’s Institute, we partner with and bring together networks of community-based and civil society organizations, UN organizations and international nongovernmental organizations to produce and share actionable evidence on violence against women and girls that is grounded in feminist principles.

Here’s what the global evidence tells us:

1. Evidence for interventions is highly skewed toward high-income countries and toward response rather than prevention. Most research in these settings focuses on intimate partner violence. Additionally, in low- and middle-income countries, there is increasing emphasis on preventing different forms of violence. (Prevention of violence against women and girls: what does the evidence say?)
2. Violence against women and girls can be prevented through a multi-sectoral approach, combined with feminist grassroots organizing.
3. Well-designed programs implemented over two to three years can reduce violence by as much as 50%. (What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls)
4. The following approaches are effective for reducing violence and can be tailored to specific contexts (What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls):
   • School-based interventions
   • Community activism approaches
   • Couples’ programs
   • Parenting programs
   • Targeted support for women
   • Alcohol and substance use interventions
5. Successful intimate partner violence prevention programs can be implemented in unstable contexts. (Lessons From Haiti)
6. Most survivors do not seek help: This is not only because of stigma and shame but also because of the ways that conflict and insecurity contribute to a breakdown in the rule of law. 

Want more on preventing violence against women and girls?

• Read about our leading role in the UK’s flagship program to prevent violence against women and girls, What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls, and its successor, What Works to Prevent Violence — Impact at Scale.
• Learn about successful violence prevention programming in conflict settings through our work in Haiti.

Check out all of our research on our Explore page.

The best way to stay up-to-date on our research, events, and insights is by subscribing to our newsletter.