Decriminalisation of gender-based violence is a global health problem

Mannell J, Hawkes S. BMJ Glob Health 2017;2:e000438. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000438 IntroductIon In July 2017 the member states of the United Nations (UN) came together to review progress towards six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including goal 3 (health) and goal 5 (gender equality). The targets within goal 5 are broad and ambitious, incorporating a commitment to ‘end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere’ and also to ‘eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres’. Among other indicators, countries are being asked to report on the presence or absence of legal frameworks to enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, as well as the proportion of women and girls who report suffering from violence. However, contrary to the ideals enshrined within Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, at the level of some individual states, there has been a rolling back of legislation protecting against violence and discrimination. This presents a global health problem because of the significant impacts the removal of this protective legislation has on the health of women, children and those with marginalised gender or sexual identities.