Why Do Some Men Use Violence Against Women and How Can We Prevent It?

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations, including UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, UNV or UN Member States. UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is an international development agency that works with countries to protect and promote the sexual and reproductive health of women, men and young people. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is a global champion for women and girls; UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their rights worldwide. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Partners for Prevention is a UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNV regional joint programme for gender-based violence prevention in Asia and the Pacific. foreword Violence against women constrains the enjoyment of women's human rights everywhere. We know that it is a manifestation of power and control and a tool to maintain gender inequalities, disrupting the health, survival, safety and freedom of women and their families around the world. We know that to end violence against women and girls, we must ensure their full empowerment, promote and protect their rights, including access to justice and support services, and end the discrimination they face in all aspects of their lives. Changing cultures towards zero tolerance for violence against women, therefore, must be a priority for States, communities and families. Over the past few decades, much has been done in legal and policy reform and the extension of services to support and protect women and their families from domestic and sexual violence, while prevention efforts have focused on campaigns and advocacy that have brought the issue into public consciousness. Preventing violence requires the sustained involvement of socializing institutions at the community and state levels, including schools, faith-based organizations, media and popular culture. This is recognized in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, which calls for States to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women …