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WHO Report Finds One in Three Women Have Faced Partner or Sexual Violence Worldwide

WHO's new global analysis introduces the first national estimates of non‑partner sexual violence.

Overview

  • The synthesis spans 168 countries with data from 2000–2023 and applies a new methodology to produce updated prevalence figures.
  • About 840 million women have experienced intimate‑partner or sexual violence in their lifetime, indicating a vast, persistent global burden.
  • In the past year, 316 million women were subjected to physical or sexual violence by a partner, roughly 11% of those aged 15 and older.
  • For the first time, WHO estimates 263 million women have suffered sexual violence by non‑partners since age 15, with figures likely depressed by underreporting.
  • Progress has been minimal with a 0.2% average annual decline, risks are elevated for adolescent girls and in conflict‑ and climate‑vulnerable regions, and prevention funding fell to just 0.2% of development aid in 2022.