WHO Report Finds 1 in 4 Young Women Experience Relationship Violence Before Age 20

A recent World Health Organization report highlights a concerning statistic: approximately 1 in 4 women globally have experienced sexual or physical violence in a relationship before reaching the age of 20. This equates to 24% of women aged 15 to 19, totaling close to 19 million women worldwide, with 16% reporting such violence within the past year. The study, which examined data from 161 countries over an 18-year period, found significant regional variations, with the highest prevalence in Oceania and Africa, particularly in Papua New Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Europe reported the lowest rates. The report underscores the widespread epidemic of violence against young women and its potential long-term impacts on their health, education, and future opportunities.

• About a quarter of women globally suffer sexual or physical violence in relationships before age 20.
• The WHO report estimates that 24% of women aged 15 to 19 have been subjected to intimate partner violence at least once, which is nearly 19 million women worldwide.
• 16% of women reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the past year.
• Highest rates of violence were reported in Oceania, with 49% in Papua New Guinea, and Africa, with 42% in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Europe has the lowest reported cases, with about 10%.
• The data is based on surveys from 161 countries over an 18-year period starting in 2000.
• Factors contributing to regional differences include income levels of countries, educational opportunities for girls, unequal gender laws, and the practice of child marriage.
• The stigma around physical and sexual violence may lead to underreporting, suggesting actual numbers could be higher.
• The report emphasizes the need for early intervention and school-based programs that engage both girls and boys, as well as community programs that involve men and women in promoting gender equality and teaching about healthy relationships.

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