Impact of high-quality data on violence against women

Countries with ethically collected, reliable national and sub-national data have actionable evidence to understand the specifics of violence against women in a given context and to design targeted interventions. 

The studies on prevalence of violence against women in different regions of the world have resulted in concrete legislative changes, including the development of family protection acts – which have changed the definition of violence in those countries. The data also establish baselines from which countries can monitor change over time, including their progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 and ending violence against women. 

Key features of the kNOwVAWdata initiative

• High-quality technical assistance on national data collection and use: Supporting countries to conduct, analyze and use surveys on violence against women in an ethical way, keeping interviewees safe and their personal information confidential.
• Capacity building for conducting national studies: Boosting the capacity of national statistical systems, civil society and researchers to conduct, analyze and effectively use data on the prevalence of violence against women through training online and in person.
• Sustainability as part of a long-term vision: Ensuring local ownership and sustainability of the kNOwVAWdata course through partnerships with regional institutions and other initiatives.
• Sharing knowledge: Providing information through kNOwVAWdata’s website and building a community of professionals committed to ending violence against women by using data to advocate for prevention and response.