- UN Women reveals a $1.5 trillion global economic loss due to violence against women, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention
- UN calls for increased focus on gender-responsive budgeting to address violence against women and promote equitable contributions to development
The United Nations Women has disclosed that the global economy has suffered an estimated loss of $1.5 trillion due to various forms of violence against women, coupled with the hindrance of providing women with an equitable platform to contribute significantly to national development.
Mr. Lansana Wonneh, the deputy country representative of UN Women, shared this insight during a joint symposium for special needs groups in Abuja. He emphasized that an alarming number of women, approximately 736 million, have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Represented by Mrs. Patience Ekeoba, the national programme officer of UN Women, Wonneh underscored the challenges faced by older women globally, including neglect, abuse, isolation, abandonment, maltreatment, as well as various forms of violence like physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological, leading to adverse health outcomes for older women.
The UN deputy country representative urged a heightened focus on gender-responsive budgeting. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that budget circulars include specific allocations for gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly addressing violence against women and girls.
This call aligns with the broader effort to create a conducive environment that allows women to contribute actively to national development without fear of violence or discrimination.
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