UN hears that global epidemic of violence against women has dire consequences for society and commerce

The economic cost of violence against women was discussed by current and former women Heads of State and Government at the UN Headquarters in New York during the High Level Week of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2016.  With one in three women worldwide experiencing abuse, violence against women is a global epidemic.

Dr Nata Duvvury, joint leader of the Gender and Public Policy research cluster was an expert advisor at the High Level Discussion on Economic Costs of Violence against Women (VAW). Dr Duvvury’s ground-breaking work on the costs of violence against women has gained international recognition, and has been cited by Hilary Clinton, Mary Robinson, World Bank economist Caren Grown, by UN Women, and international donor agencies and is cited in numerous journal articles.  Building on more than 20 years of international engagement and gender-focussed research at the cutting edge of HIV, women’s asset ownership, nutrition and gender-based violence, Dr Duvvury has made seminal contributions to the policy discourse on gender, equality, health and empowerment.  Dr Duvvury’s research indicates that violence against women and girls has cumulative impacts over the life-time of individuals and undermines individual capability, resulting in overall economic loss over time.

Policymakers must recognise the ripple effects of violence against women across various sections of society and businesses, and need to understand that the effects/impacts of VAW do not stop at the factory door but seep into every nook and cranny of the production system. We need commitment from world leaders to invest to prevent and respond to VAW.

Read an edited version of Dr Duvvury’s address on The Guardian.