Addressing Gender-based Violence

Addressing gender-based violence is part of the first strategic objective of the World Bank Group Gender Strategy 2024-2030 which underscores foundational well-being for all.

Gender-based violence and harassment affects one in three women globally and negatively impacts people experiencing violence, their families, and communities and affects the business bottom line. It has financial consequences for individuals and businesses as it can increase health and safety risks, reduce employee engagement and productivity, increase absenteeism and turnover of employees, and damage public image and social license to operate.

Women and children are disproportionally affected by gender-based violence and harassment, however, men can also be affected. Risks of gender-based violence are higher for people who don’t conform to prescribed gender norms. Factors other than gender such as race, income, religion, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or disability may also increase the risk of experiencing violence.

This is why addressing gender-based violence is part of the first strategic objective of the World Bank Group Gender Strategy 2024-2030 which underscores foundational well-being for all. It presents an aspiration to end all forms of GBV and build and protect human capital. The pathway to end GBV includes actions to challenge harmful gender norms, prioritize survivor-centric services, empower women and adolescents, and dismantle patriarchal systems that perpetuate GBV. 

Efforts to reach this objective include challenging gender-unequal attitudes, combatting sexual harassment in all sectors, ensuring universal health coverage and inclusive education, breaking gender barriers in skills development. To motivate clients, the WBG will use evidence of the macroeconomic, social, and business impact of building human capital and addressing GBV.