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Home > Our Priorities > Violence Against Women
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Violence Against Women

Living free from violence is a human right. Yet millions of women and girls around the world encounter rape, domestic abuse, mutilation and other forms of gender-based violence. Too often no one is held accountable for these crimes. With your help, we can urge governments to hold perpetrators responsible and put an end to this cycle of violence against women. Take action to stop violence against women!

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Women of Atenco--Assaulted by the Police   Haiti: Shocking Levels of Rape and Sexual Violence Against Girls in Haiti by Armed Gangs, Amnesty International Reports   Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed groups and government forces continue to abuse women and children in North Kivu   Women in Prison

Featured news

16 Days for Women's Rights

Main feature
Bangladeshi women join hands for women's rights ©Getty/Farjana K. Godhuly

From November 25 (Elimination of Violence Against Women Day) through December 10 (Human Rights Day) we ask you to stand with us in support of the International Violence against Women Act (IVAWA) and an end to violence against women worldwide.

» Learn more about 16 days of activism against gender violence

Success story

Zimbabwe Women's Rights Activists Released!

Success story
Photo caption/credit info dolor sitar imet ametar juno alora leesump.

WOZAOn 5 November 2008, the High Court of Zimbabwe granted Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu bail following their arrest on 16 October. They were released the following morning.

» Read more about WOZA
» More women's human rights success stories

    Video Spotlight

No justice for Alaskan and native American women

In the US, perpetrators of violence against women are often not charged with any crime.

More videos »

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The Issues

 

Women's Rights

Women face human rights injustices, in addition to gender-based discrimination.  Women and children account for most casualties of war and make up most of the world's refugees, displaced and poor populations.

Women's rights are human rights. Amnesty International works to achieve equal economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights for women.  

» Learn more about women's rights

Violence against Alaskan and Native American women

Native American and Alaska Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than other women in the United States.

A complex maze of tribal, state and federal jurisdictions allows perpetrators to rape with impunity and in some cases even encourages assaults.

» Read the Maze of Injustice report (PDF)
» Find out more about violence against Alaskan and Native American women

   

International Violence Against Women

At least 1 out of every 3 women worldwide are beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is an unprecedented effort by the United States to address violence against women globally.

» Find out more about the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA)

Women's Human Rights Defenders

Women's activism is on the rise around the world despite government and individual opposition.

Support the millions of women who have made defending women's human rights their life, including:

  • lawyers like Hina Jilani in Pakistan giving legal aid to abused women
  • activists like Giulia Tamayo Leon in Peru fighting forced sterilization
  • groups like the Organización Femenina Popular in Colombia, which, despite attacks from paramilitary forces, continues to deliver services to poor women in local communities
» Read more on women's human rights defenders

 


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