New york: Violence against women and girls continues to be alarmingly widespread across the Western Pacific region, as highlighted by recent findings from the World Health Organization (WHO). The organization reported that nearly one in three women globally has experienced intimate partner or sexual violence, a statistic that has remained largely unchanged for the past 25 years.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the WHO emphasized that these findings underscore a harsh truth: gender-based violence persists as a preventable social and public health issue, as well as a significant violation of human rights. This violence has far-reaching consequences, including physical and emotional harm, economic setbacks, and adverse reproductive outcomes, all of which hinder women's full participation in society.

In the Western Pacific Region, WHO data reveals that more than a quarter of women and girls have faced intimate partner or sexual violence. Specifically, 9 percent of women aged 15 to 49 experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year, with national rates ranging from 1.2 percent to 42.2 percent. Additionally, 4.3 percent suffered non-partner sexual violence over the past 12 months, and 9.4 percent have encountered such abuse during their lifetime.

While nearly one in five women in the region has experienced IPV in their lifetime-lower than the global average of one in four-WHO stresses the severe impact remains. In some Pacific island countries, lifetime IPV prevalence is as high as one in two women, among the highest recorded globally.

Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, stated that violence against women and girls is a grave human rights violation and a serious health threat. The updated evidence calls for decisive action. Governments and communities are urged to utilize data to develop stronger policies, enhance prevention efforts, and invest in health system readiness to protect girls and empower women.

A new WHO survey on health system readiness highlights that many countries are improving policies to prevent violence against women and girls. However, significant gaps remain in providing essential services and collecting reliable data. While some nations incorporate intimate partner violence and post-rape care into their national health plans, consistent access to these critical services is still a challenge.

Comprehensive post-rape care is nationwide only in a few countries, resulting in notable geographic disparities. Data systems are also inadequate, with just over half of countries having conducted recent surveys on violence against women. Even fewer maintain usable homicide data, hindering monitoring, accountability, and policymaking.