Gender-based violence (GBV) In this report, “gender” and “gender-based violence” are interpretated by countries taking into account international obligations, as well as national legislation. is pervasive and complex problem, afflicting people regardless of age, gender, race, and socioeconomic background across countries and in the majority of cases women and girls. Globally, nearly one in three women experiences physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime – most often at the hands of her intimate partner. While this number is alarming, it does not reflect the full extent of the problem, as most cases of physical and/or sexual violence are not reported. Extensive research has shown that women and girls are the overwhelming majority of victims/survivors of GBV and can suffer long-term – even lifelong – physical, psychological, emotional, mental and economic consequences. GBV is also a threat to victims’/survivors’ rights and freedom, jeopardising their full, meaningful and equal participation in society. Victims/survivors can be exposed to multiple forms of GBV, including intimate partner violence; sexual abuse; sexual harassment; physical, economic and psychological abuse; technology-facilitated violence; human trafficking; female genital mutilation; and forced child marriage.

Gender-based violence (GBV) In this report, “gender” and “gender-based violence” are interpretated by countries taking into account international obligations, as well as national legislation. is a pervasive and destructive problem affecting people regardless of age, gender, race, and socioeconomic background and in the majority of cases women and girls. Women and girls are exposed to the threat of GBV as early as the pre-natal period and throughout their lifecycle, and in all spheres of their lives, including economic, social, political, and psychological. An alarming percentage of women and girls become victims/survivors at least once during their lifetime.

This chapter explores the prevalence and costs of gender-based violence (GBV), including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It introduces a comprehensive approach for tackling GBV through legal and a whole-of-government framework, developing a victim/survivor-centred culture and establishing robust accountability mechanisms.

This chapter presents an overview of the global legal landscape regarding gender-based violence (GBV): it begins with a description of existing international and regional legal instruments designed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. The chapter highlights similarities and differences among different national legal frameworks that govern various forms of GBV, including domestic violence, rape, and sexual harassment as well as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. It concludes with good practices and recommendations for more comprehensive legal systems. The findings are based on the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) and on 24 countries’ responses to the SIGI Gender-Based Violence Legal Survey (SIGI GBV Legal Survey).

This chapter examines elements of the whole-of-state approach to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). It explores how governments can build effective responses to GBV through holistic policies that engage all state actors and account for the experiences of all victims/survivors. The chapter concludes with an examination of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GBV systems in OECD member countries and highlights good practices and recommendations to improve whole-of-state systems to tackle GBV. The findings are based on 26 countries’ responses to the 2022 OECD Survey on Strengthening Governance and Survivor/Victim-centric Approaches to End GBV (2022 OECD GBV Survey).

This chapter explores the elements of victim/survivor governance and service culture. It identifies practices that understand the experiences of victims/survivors and account for them in all policies, services and programming. Prevention efforts that tackle the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) are also a key element of building a victim/survivor-centred culture, with a focus on engaging men and boys. The chapter explores good practices and challenges that emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic and concludes with recommendations on how to strengthen victim/survivor-centric governance and service culture. The findings are based on 26 countries’ responses to the 2022 OECD Survey on Strengthening Governance and Survivor/Victim-centric Approaches to End GBV (2022 OECD GBV Survey).

This chapter illustrates the importance of integrated policies to address the complex needs of women escaping gender-based violence (GBV), focusing specifically on intimate partner violence (IPV). It provides an overview of general organisational theories behind integrated service delivery for victims/survivors, much of which is based on evidence from health and social policy sectors. The chapter presents OECD countries’ ongoing efforts to integrate service delivery to address IPV in the areas of healthcare, justice, housing, child support and income support, and concludes with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities of promoting an integrated, victim/survivor-centred response to violence. The chapter also highlights good practices in integrated service delivery and concludes with policy lessons and recommendations. The findings are based on the responses of 35 countries to the 2022 OECD Questionnaire on Integrated Service Delivery to Address Gender-Based Violence (OECD QISD-GBV) and a consultation with 27 non-governmental organisations providing services to victims/survivors.

This chapter focuses on victim/survivor-centred access to justice and accountability, as key elements in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), under the Access to Justice and Accountability Pillar of the OECD GBV Framework. It examines key aspects of access to justice, including paid leave, accessible information, prosecution and punishment mechanisms, and highlights good practices across all aspects. It also examines COVID-19’s impact on access to justice and explores the role of data on victims/survivors and perpetrators in preventing femicide/feminicide. The chapter concludes with recommendations to improve access to justice and accountability. The findings are based on 26 countries’ responses to the 2022 OECD Survey on Strengthening Governance and Survivor/Victim-centric Approaches to End GBV (2022 OECD GBV Survey).