What is gender-based violence, and why is it important to address it?
Gender-based violence consists of harmful acts committed against a person’s will and based on socially assigned differences between women and men.
Adolescent girls and young people are particularly vulnerable, especially to sexual violence.
This violence can occur within or outside the family and is most often committed by someone known to the victim.
The consequences are numerous: they can affect health and education, and expose young girls to unwanted pregnancies.
Prevention, risk reduction, and the management of gender-based violence must therefore be integrated into health policies and services.