As the world observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the spotlight falls on tackling violence against women and children. Despite its profound impact efforts still remain underfunded and under-researched. Thus, it is crucial to push for stronger policies to combat gender-based violence. With that goal, over 1,500 participants from 111 countries gathered at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, South Africa in October to share strategies and close knowledge gaps on the issue, some of which are presented here.

Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and every day, 137 women are killed by a family member. The far-reaching effects of violence against women and children extend beyond immediate harm, profoundly affecting their health, well-being, and long-term opportunities. These impacts can ripple across generations, perpetuating cycles of trauma and inequality. Economically, the costs are staggering—gender-based violence is estimated to cause a global loss of $1.5 trillion annually—comparable to the economies of Indonesia, Australia and Spain. Yet, global development assistance allocates less than 0.2 percent to GBV prevention, and an even smaller fraction is directed toward research and evaluation.

This mismatch between the scale of the problem and the resources dedicated to addressing it highlights the need for stronger evidence-based interventions.

The evidence base faces several critical gaps in GBV research. Comprehensive national prevalence data is lacking, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of violence is often highest. In many cases, research remains narrowly focused on specific populations, leaving many population groups—including children with disabilities, youth, and Indigenous children—underrepresented in the research.

Read more

At least one woman raped nearly every 9hrs

Additionally, humanitarian settings pose unique challenges. The heightened risks of violence in situations of displacement, instability, and militarised environments are well-documented, yet research in these contexts often focuses on immediate responses rather than long-term solutions. Emerging issues such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), artificial intelligence (AI) and the intersection of climate change and GBV also remain underexplored.

Discussions at the forum emphasised survivor-centred programme design. Programmes that are guided by the experiences and needs of—both adult and child survivors—such as by asking them to define what recovery means—are more likely to be impactful and meaningful.

Ways to extend services to more survivors and victims were also shared. In Brazil and Uganda, for example, online platforms are used to improve access to services for survivors. Community-led programmes, such as those in Uganda and Colombia, demonstrate the power of grassroots activism to fill gaps left by strained public services. The forum also spotlighted initiatives like Rwanda's Indashyikirwa programme, which uses community activism to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV).

National policies may also serve as powerful levers for the reduction of gender-based violence. Evidence from Turkey and Peru shows how policy shifts, such as extending compulsory education, can significantly reduce violence by challenging harmful societal norms. Cash transfer and economic empowerment programmes, such as those implemented in Bangladesh, were also highlighted as powerful levers for reducing family and IPV. To ensure programmes can be scaled sustainably, partnerships with governments and capacity building for service providers are critical.

A comprehensive approach is needed to build and use evidence. This includes addressing fragmentation in the field, promoting collaboration, and investing in capacity strengthening for researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Initiatives like the development of shared research agendas, play a critical role in identifying evidence gaps and guiding funding priorities.

Read more

Empathy is missing for survivors seeking justice

Another key takeaway from the forum was the need to "decolonise" research by supporting local researchers from affected communities to lead studies. This approach helps ensure the findings are both practical and culturally relevant. The SVRI Research Grant, though modest in size, is one of the few funding mechanisms prioritising locally-led research in LMICs. Long-term funding and collaborative partnerships between funders and grantees were highlighted as critical for scaling interventions and effectively addressing research gaps. The SVRI has co-created guidelines promoting long-term funding and equitable funder-grantee relationships to reduce barriers and support impactful, context-specific research.

The RESPECT framework provides a valuable guide for designing and implementing interventions that transform harmful norms, strengthen relationship skills, and create safer, more equitable societies. As the world reflects on these 16 days, the message is clear: collaboration, investment, and survivor-centred solutions are essential to breaking cycles of violence and building safer, more equitable societies.

Elizabeth Dartnall is executive director of Sexual Violence Research Initiative, based in South Africa.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our guidelines for submission.