gender based violence

In the Central African Republic (CAR), a woman is a victim of sexual and gender-based violence almost every hour. For most women overcoming the trauma and moving on is a challenge. Oxfam is supporting them through literacy classes to help them read, write and empower them.

Whether we are responding to an emergency, working on long terms projects with communities, or campaigning for lasting change, we tackle the inequality and deep-rooted discrimination that makes and keeps women poor. 

This report aims to bring the voices and experiences of South Sudanese women to the fore, exploring the motivations and intentions of returning and displaced women in South Sudan. It advocates for a more gender-sensitive and durable solutions approach to population movements in the country.

Violence against women and girls is a global crisis, already affecting one in three women in their lifetime, devastating their lives and fracturing communities. It is time to say 'Enough'.

New research from Oxfam finds that sexual harassment of women, girls and gender non-conforming people on public transport is tolerated by urban Sri Lankan commuters who consider it normal male behaviour, an everyday occurrence and the fault of women for not being submissive, obedient or dressing decently.

No-one can escape the devastating grip of war. For women, it can mark a point of no return. But it can also be a door to new opportunities. Through examples from Iraq, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Yemen, this report analyses the impact war and occupation have had on the lives of women.

Oxfam research presented in this report found that the rate of child, early and forced marriage in Nyal, South Sudan, is among the highest in the world. Action is urgently needed: including a long-term commitment and investment at community, national and international levels.

Food security in Yemen is critically dependent on imports and incomes. Both have been knowingly undermined by parties to the conflict over many months. For women, the impact of eating last and least is crippling, and coping mechanisms are becoming increasingly desperate.

One in three women will experience violence in her lifetime. Whilst there is no single cause for such violence, some of the strongest factors are harmful social norms that contribute to gender inequality. Read more on these harmful beliefs and join us to say ‘Enough’ to violence against women and girls.

This collated research report is based on formative research from 12 countries across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Pacific. The report identifies dominant and common patterns in the social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.