Ending Violence Against Women: An Oxfam guide

Violence against women and girls (VAW) is a global epidemic: according to UN estimates, one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence because she is a woman. Oxfam views VAW as human-rights violation and as a major obstacle to women’s and girls’ development. Through its advocacy and programmes, Oxfam envisions a safe and just world where women and girls are in control of their lives and live free from violence. VAW may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including: domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, forced and child marriage, sex trafficking, and female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/M). Its affects are felt not just by women, but also by communities and societies as a whole. This practical guide invites development practitioners to consider: What is VAW? Why does it happen? What does it have to do with development? What does Oxfam do to end VAW? And what does it mean to do that work with a transformative approach?