The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign from November 25 to December 10, 2022. During this time, individuals and organizations around the world coalesce to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Gender-based violence affects more than 1 in 3 women over the course of a lifetime. Violence against women and girls has a significant toll on not just their wellbeing, but also on their families across generations and societies more broadly. In some countries, violence against women is estimated to cost countries up to 3.7% of their GDP. During the COVID-19 pandemic rates of violence against women increased, making sustained action to address drivers and consequences of violence a dire need.

Countries around the world are still working to contain the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic eroded gains in women’s and girls’ accumulation of human capital, economic empowerment and voice and agency, built over the past decades. This situation has been compounded by the global food crisis and economic downturn during the last year.  Therefore, the World Bank Group is stepping up its support to countries in addressing the immediate health crisis and its corresponding social and economic impacts.

**JOIN US** on Dec. 8, 2022 for a special event, “Policy makers working with communities to end gender-based violence – conversations with changemakers.”