Despite extensive commitment by women's organisations, governments and other partners, many women and girls subjected to various forms of violence still lack access to essential services. This lack of access to such services by women and girls means that they continue to suffer from the physical and mental impacts of violence. To improve the quality of and access to essential multi-sectorial services UN Women has partnered with four UN agencies to develop the Joint Global Programme on Essential Services.

This story was replicated from the UN Women website. The Daily Star is an official partner of UN Women's Step It Up! Media Compact, an alliance of media organisations committed to playing an active role in advancing gender issues within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).