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Violence Against Women and Girls

A close-up image of a woman's hands in shadow.

CARE believes every person has the right to a life free from violence. We put equality between and men and the safety and dignity of women and girls at the center of what we do. Violence against women is a global problem of epidemic proportions that demands committed action and sustained resources.

For over two decades, CARE has been addressing the root causes driving violence against women and girls and supporting survivors. CARE’s Vision 2030 Strategy for a shared future puts forward a goal that 50 million women and girls experience greater equality – including eliminating violence, and increasing women and girls’ voice, leadership, and education. CARE works to address multiple forms of violence, including:

  • Intimate partner violence
  • Sexual violence, harassment, exploitation, and abuse
  • Child, early, and forced marriage, and other harmful traditional practices
  • Economic exploitation and exclusion of women and girls

Rates of violence against women and girls around the world rose dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fueled by the food crisis, this issue continues to worsen as a result of the compounding challenges of climate change, conflict, lack of resources, and increased costs.

Highlighted Programs Fighting Violence Against Women and Girls

Indashyikirwa

The Indashyikirwa project worked with couples to reduce intimate partner violence and improve the wellbeing of survivors in selected communities in seven districts of Rwanda. It also aimed to strengthen the evidence base for community prevention and response for violence against women.

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Martawa Zuromaye

The Martawa Zuromaye (‘Dignity and Security’) project in northeast Nigeria supports the enhancement of survivor-centered efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), early and forced marriage (EFM) and female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C).

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Tipping Point

The Tipping Point initiative identifies the root causes of child, early, and forced marriage and facilitates innovative strategies to create alternative paths for adolescent girls.

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Safe Cities

To prevent and respond to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women in public spaces.

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Key approaches

CARE takes a holistic approach to addressing violence against women and girls.

Prevention

We work with women, men, adolescents and youth, girls, boys, communities, and local organizations to transform harmful norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women and girls, and promote healthy, equal, and non-violent relationships.

Reducing Risk

CARE ensures that our projects take steps to reduce the risk of violence against women and girls and address disclosures appropriately. This means being deliberate about reducing risks, raising awareness, and linking survivors to services—no matter what the program, whether it’s food security, water, education, or health. CARE aims to ensure that women, girls, and marginalized groups are safe, respected and valued.

Response

CARE provides services to survivors directly and through partners: first-line support (empathetic counseling, safety planning, and referrals), health care (clinical management of rape and reproductive health), legal support, psycho-social support, economic opportunities, and strengthening referral systems.

Advocacy

We work to develop and strengthen the passage and implementation of policies, laws, and systems that prevent violence against women and girls and uphold survivors’ rights.

Integrating across ALL our programs

As well as programs focused entirely on violence against women and girls through risk reduction, prevention, response or advocacy interventions, CARE aims to integrate across all of our projects.