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Stop Violence Against Women
Women, violence and poverty
Women are disproportionately affected by poverty – of the 1.3 billion people living in absolute poverty around the world 70% are women.
Discrimination is a key driver of poverty. Many women suffer multiple discrimination - they are discriminated against and denied their rights because they are a woman and because of their ethnicity, race, religion, marital status or disability.
THE FACTS
- Despite producing 60 to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries, women own only one per cent of the land.
- Almost two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women.
- Two-thirds of children denied primary education are girls.
- An estimated 14 million girls between 15-19 years old give birth every year.
- 80 per cent of the world’s refugees are women and children.
A vicious circle
Poverty, for women, is both a consequence and cause of violence. The violence women face helps keep them poor, and it is women living in poverty who are most exposed to violence. Poverty also makes it harder for women to find avenues of escape from violence.
Women speak out
Despite the difficult circumstances they face, women are not always passive victims – women are working hard to change their realities.
Whether acting as human rights defenders or simply as members of their families and communities, women drive social progress. When women and girls know they have rights, they will claim them despite all the obstacles they may face.
What you can do
Whether acting as human rights defenders or simply as members of their families and communities, women drive social progress. When women and girls know they have rights, they will claim them despite all the obstacles they may face.
What you can do
- Read more on our work around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Pacific.
- Read more in our report, The Gender Trap – Women, Violence and Poverty.
- Read our Six-Point Checklist on Justice for Violence Against Women. Based on international human rights laws and standards, the Checklist is designed to help identify the changes needed in law and/or practice to ensure victims and survivors of sexual or gender-based violence have meaningful access to services and justice.
- Learn more about our work to end poverty through our Demand Dignity campaign, at www.demanddignity.org.nz
