vawg

VAWG is an acronym for "violence against women and girls," a term used in policy, advocacy and research to describe acts of gender-based violence predominantly affecting female populations. It encompasses a range of physical, sexual, psychological and economic harms including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and coercive control. VAWG is often discussed alongside the related concept of gender-based violence (GBV), with VAWG emphasizing the sex- and gendered patterns of victimization experienced by women and girls.

Incidence and reporting vary by region and context; many forms of VAWG are underreported due to stigma, fear of reprisal, economic dependence and limited access to services. Contributing factors commonly identified in research and policy analyses include gender inequality, rigid gender norms, social tolerance of violence, and structural vulnerabilities such as poverty and conflict.

Responses to VAWG typically combine legal reform, criminal justice measures, health and social services, shelters and hotlines, and prevention efforts such as education, community engagement and economic empowerment. International instruments and frameworks — including UN conventions and regional treaties — frame state responsibilities to prevent and respond to VAWG. Debates in the field address the balance between criminalization and survivor-centered support, the inclusivity of definitions for diverse gender identities, and the most effective strategies for cultural and structural change.