Violence Against Women Remains a Serious Problem in the Americas, Says PAHO

One in three women aged 15 or older in the Americas has suffered physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, according to estimates from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This United Nations agency states that violence against women and adolescents continues to be a serious and persistent problem in the region.

Slow Progress Despite Increased Awareness

The new estimates on the issue were presented this month by the World Health Organization (WHO) ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on November 25. Data collected from 2000 to 2023 indicates that progress in reducing violence against women has been slow, despite greater awareness, national multisectoral policies, and interventions from health services.

Intimate partner violence remains the most common form of abuse. Over the past two decades, the prevalence rates of violence by an intimate partner have barely changed. According to Britta Baer, a PAHO advisor, "The shame and stigma associated with sexual violence make reporting difficult, suggesting that the actual figures are likely much higher."

Prevalence Across Age Groups

The figures indicate that one in four women between the ages of 15 and 49 has experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, while one in eight has experienced sexual violence from someone other than a partner.

Young women face early risks, with 21 percent of adolescent girls between 15 and 19 having experienced violence from a partner before the age of 20. Older women are not exempt, as 23 percent of women aged 65 or older report having suffered this type of violence.

Lasting Consequences and Intergenerational Impact

PAHO/WHO emphasizes that violence against women has serious and lasting consequences, including physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, depression, and, in the most extreme cases, femicide. Children exposed to this scourge at home are more likely to suffer or commit abuse when they are adults, thereby perpetuating the cycle of violence.