Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
Women and girls experience violence and discrimination in every society, simply because of their gender.
Millions of women and girls face many forms of violence throughout their lives, including rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual exploitation, forced arranged marriage and child marriage and many categorised as honour based violence.
Survivors of violence often experience a range of problems, from psychological distress and depression to injury, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and unwanted pregnancy.
In the longer term, violence and the threat of violence can stop girls from going to school, from being able to choose if and who they marry, and from reaching their full potential.
ACCM (UK) is working to end violence against women and girls around the England, the UK and the world. We work with communities to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls and create sustainable, long-term change.
We work at grassroots raising awareness on violence, human rights, providing information and support when women or girls flee, provide emergency accommodation, support to legal advice and police for protection.
Violence against women and girls is defined as a human rights concern in various landmark international and regional human rights treaties and documents:
- UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW)
- UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- CEDAW general recommendations No.19 and No.35
- African Union’s Maputo Protocol
- Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention
How can men and boys help tackle VAWG
Men can be powerful advocates against violence against women and girls. Men are increasingly more visible in national and local campaigns and discussions as advocates for ending all forms of violence against women and girls.
We also have to support men and boys who are also victims of abuse and supporting them will enable them to support women and girls as well.
Click on the links below to discover more: