What works to prevent violence against women from 2000 to 2024: A pragmatic review of evaluations of interventions to prevent violence against women

Violence against women is preventable and understanding how to prevent it effectively is vital for guiding investment in prevention programming. We conducted a pragmatic review of the global literature of interventions conducted to prevent physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner rape published from 2000 to 2024. We identified 155 papers, reporting on 185 interventions (studies). 51.4% of the studies were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, 14.1% in Central and South-East Asia, 23.2% in North America and few from other regions. Overall, 49.7% of studies were in the top tertile of our quality score and 38.4% showed the intervention to significantly reduce at least one measure of VAW. Participant groups varied, but notably only 39.5% included men and boys, the main VAW perpetrator group. Particular at-risk groups including female sex workers, and women living in informal settlements and in conflict or humanitarian settings were infrequently included in research. Interventions design and evaluation methods varied, with notable differences by global region. Multivariable logistic regression modelling, showed interventions were significantly more likely to reduce VAW if they included a skills building component addressing poor conflict management and relationship skills (aOR 3.19 95%CI 1.49, 6.82, p = 0.003) and were better designed (aOR 1.40 (95%CI 1.05, 1.86) p = 0.022. A sensitivity analysis pointed to possible impact for poverty reduction elements. They were significantly less likely to work if they had participants from conflict and humanitarian settings. There is marked global unevenness in research on the prevention of VAW, and mismatch between VAW prevalence and risk factors and participant groups enrolled and intervention design. Also in the distribution of high-quality studies. Whilst the number of evaluations is rapidly rising, the VAW prevention research field remains disproportionately small compared to the scale of the problem and its social, economic and health impact. There is considerable scope for enhancement of the quality of both interventions and research. HIGHLIGHTS • We reviewed all published evaluations of interventions with a VAW prevention outcome and a study design with a comparison group. • There are huge global disparities in research. Half of the research is from Sub-Saharan Africa and a quarter from North America. • Only 40% of interventions sought to impact the behaviour of men and boys as study participants, despite VAW being perpetrated bythem. • Addressing poor communication and relationship skills and having a stronger research design was important. Some evidence suggested that including poverty reduction was also valuable. • Much more research is needed to deepen understanding of what works to prevent VAW. Having interventions built on best practice, evaluated with high quality research is essential.