Breaking the Silence: The Global Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence affects us all
Gender-based violence, or GBV, isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a global crisis. From physical abuse to emotional abuse to online abuse to sexual abuse to economic abuse, millions face harm every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender, denying them basic human rights related to safety and dignity.
GBV affects women, girls, men, boys, and gender diverse people of all backgrounds, and entire communities.
Photo: ©UNFPA Nigeria/Dawali David Exodus
More than just a women’s issue
GBV affects women, girls, men, boys, and gender diverse people of all backgrounds, and entire communities.
While women and girls face higher rates of GBV because of sexism and gender-based oppression, those from minority groups also suffer additional forms of oppression for reasons such as racism and colonialism. Members of the LGBTQI+ community also encounter abuse due to their gender identity or expression. As well, men are often overlooked or forgotten when it comes to GBV.
Globally, 1 in 3 women have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
Photo: ©UNFPA Nigeria/Dawali David Exodus
The alarming reality of GBV
Globally, 1 in 3 women have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. That’s 736 million women around the world—about 18 times the population of Canada. The statistics show that violence isn’t an isolated event; it’s a global issue affecting people of diverse ages, backgrounds, identities and regions.
But these statistics are more than just numbers—they represent real people and real lives.
GBV doesn’t just harm individuals, it also harms entire communities.
Photo: ©UNFPA Nigeria/Dawali David Exodus
Impacts on communities
GBV doesn’t just harm individuals, it also harms entire communities. When people experience violence, they find it difficult to fully participate in society or contribute to the economy. For women and girls, GBV limits access to education, work and health services, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Children who witness GBV are more likely to experience trauma and continue toxic patterns of violence, furthering the cycle of poverty.
When GBV is unresolved, it weakens communities, stunts economic growth and fuels inequality.
Canada’s commitment to ending GBV
Through international partnerships, Canada supports initiatives across the globe that are focused on preventing gender-based violence, assisting survivors and their families, educating people about gender equality and strengthening policies to protect against abuse.
Together, we can create a world where safety and dignity are guaranteed for all. #EndGBV
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