Violence Against Women : An Analysis

Abstract

What is Violence against women? The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender- based violence that results in, or is, likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” Violence is a violation of women’s fundamental rights, often with devastating consequences. In countries where there is no law against domestic violence, as is the case in 46 countries, women’s average life expectancy is typically shorter than men’s.