Violence Against Women in 2024:/2025: A Continuing Call to Action

 

Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations across the globe. As we move through 2024, it is crucial to shed light on the ongoing challenges, emerging trends, and collective actions needed to combat this pressing issue. Despite global awareness efforts and policy advancements, the statistics and stories behind the headlines remind us that the fight against gender-based violence is far from over.

 

The Current Landscape

 

The past few years have seen a surge in advocacy and legislation aimed at protecting women, yet violence in its many forms—domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and online harassment—continues to persist. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with most incidents perpetrated by intimate partners. While awareness campaigns and survivor-centered initiatives have brought this issue to the forefront, systemic barriers often prevent women from accessing justice and support.

 

In 2024, the digital sphere has become both a battleground and a sanctuary. While social media platforms amplify survivor voices and organize movements, they are also breeding grounds for cyber harassment, and image-based abuse. Technology-facilitated violence is a growing concern that demands robust responses from governments, tech companies, and civil society.

 

Intersectionality: The Overlapping Burdens

 

Violence against women cannot be viewed in isolation from other forms of discrimination. Women from marginalized communities—whether due to race, socioeconomic status, disability, or sexual orientation—often face compounded challenges. For example, displaced women, such as refugees or domestic workers trafficked across borders, are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Addressing violence against women requires an intersectional approach that considers the unique barriers faced by diverse groups.

 

Emerging Trends

 

                  1.             Economic Instability and Violence: Economic challenges, including rising inflation and post-pandemic recovery efforts, have exacerbated stress in households, leading to a spike in domestic violence cases. Financial dependence often traps survivors in abusive relationships, underscoring the need for economic empowerment programs.

                  2.             Climate Change and Displacement: Climate disasters displace millions annually, disproportionately affecting women. In displacement camps or unstable environments, the risk of sexual violence and exploitation is significantly heightened.

                  3.             Policy and Backlash: While some countries have strengthened laws to protect women, others have witnessed regression in women’s rights due to political or cultural shifts. Activists face threats, making advocacy more challenging yet more critical than ever.

 

The Path Forward

 

Combating violence against women in 2024 requires a multi-faceted and collaborative approach:

 

                  •               Education and Awareness: Comprehensive education that challenges harmful gender norms and promotes equality must be implemented across all levels of society. Schools, workplaces, and communities play a key role in shaping attitudes.

                  •               Technology as a Tool for Good: While technology facilitates harm, it also holds solutions. Innovations in reporting mechanisms, survivor support apps, and artificial intelligence tools to detect online harassment can empower victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

                  •               Survivor-Centered Policies: Governments and organizations must prioritize survivors’ voices in policymaking, ensuring that laws and resources meet their needs effectively.

                  •               Men as Allies: Engaging men and boys in conversations about toxic masculinity, respect, and consent is essential to dismantling the root causes of violence.

                  •               Global Solidarity: Violence against women transcends borders, making international collaboration crucial. Sharing best practices, funding grassroots organizations, and holding perpetrators accountable across jurisdictions are vital steps forward.

 

Conclusion

 

As we navigate the complexities of 2024, we must remain steadfast in addressing violence against women with urgency and compassion. Every statistic represents a life, a story, and a potential for change. By working together—across sectors, nations, and communities—we can envision a world where women live free from violence and fear, empowered to reach their fullest potential. The journey is long, but the destination is worth every effort.

 

 

Dr. Anne Ellis Friesen is an activist, researcher, and Chief Strategy Consultant with over 20 years of experience in social justice and human services. She earned her Doctor of Education in Leadership and has dedicated her career to advocating for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. (Human Trafficking Now)