Ending violence against women in Africa

Abstract

Violence against women (VAW) is defined by the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW) as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”1 VAW is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women; it is complex and diverse in its manifestations, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences and costs that impoverish women, their families, communities and nations2. It is a violation of the essential basic human right to safety, security and physical integrity. Recently, the UN Secretary General launched a multi-year campaign to intensify action to end violence against women and girls. It will run from 2008-2015 to coincide with the target date of the MDGs.