Violence against women includes various forms of abuse such as battering, rape, forced sterilization, and female genital cutting. It stems from beliefs that men are dominant over women and that violence is acceptable to gain control. Women who are at higher risk include those of color, older women, young women, immigrants, refugees, poor women, and women with disabilities. The consequences of violence against women range from physical injuries to long-term health impacts such as depression and risky behaviors. Prevention requires laws against abuse, enforcement of those laws, education, partnerships, political will, and institutional support.

2. - What is violence against women?
- Types of violence against women:
- battering
- rape
- sexual and physical abuse of young women
- verbal and emotional
- murder
- forced sterilization
- female genital cutting
- stalking
- prostitution

3. -Understanding Violence
- coercion and threats
- intimidation
- verbal attacks
- isolation
- minimizing, denying and blaming
- use loved ones
- a busing authority
- economic control
- men still feel superior to women
- men are thought of as dominant, whereas women are thought of as
dependent
- they believe that violence is an appropriate way to gain control

4. - Who is at higher risk?
- women of colour
- older women
- young women
- immigrant women
- refugees
- poor women
- women with disability

5. - Consequences:
- Homicide or suicide
- Unintended pregnancies
- Induced abortions, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and low birth weight babies.
- Gynecological problems
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep difficulties, eating disorders,
emotional distress and suicide attempts
- Headaches, back pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders,
limited mobility and poor overall health
- Increased smoking, drug and alcohol misuse, and risky sexual behaviors in later life

6. - Prevention
Priority 1: Adopt laws that work
Priority 2: Make sure laws are implemented
Priority 3: Educate and sensitize
Priority 4: Build partnerships
Priority 5: Show strong political will
Priority 6: Establish a sound institutional framework