The sustainable development goals, violence and women’s and children’s health

The sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, (1) offer an opportunity to achieve the commitments on the prevention of violence against women made by governments in many previous declarations, resolutions and international agreements. One of the goals related to violence is SDG 5, which addresses gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This goal includes two specific targets on elimination of violence and harmful practices. Target 5.2 is set out to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The goal of target 5.3 is to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The inclusion of these specific targets is a recognition that addressing all forms of violence and harmful practices against women and girls is central to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment, which is essential for sustainable development. In addition, another goal, SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions for sustainable development, calls in target 16.2, for an end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against This is the first time that a global development agenda has addressed all forms of violence against women and girls, as well as violence against The social and economic costs and the negative impact of violence on women's and children's health and well-being are well documented. (2,3) Women who are experiencing violence or at risk of violence need to have access to quality services, including medical care and psychosocial support, housing, police and legal services. Evidence suggests that women who are experiencing or have experienced violence make higher use of health-care services. (4) Health systems and health-care providers therefore play an important role in providing survivors of violence with support, care and treatment, including for injuries and for sexual, reproductive and mental or any other health problems. Most women at some point in their lives seek reproductive health care, for example for contraception, post-abortion care and maternal or child health care including antenatal care, delivery or postnatal care. As such, reproductive health services in particular offer opportunities for identification and provision of a supportive response for women who have experienced violence. An empathetic, supportive response can facilitate women taking action to address the violence they are experiencing and start healing. (5) Health services can also facilitate women's access to other services including social services such as housing, legal or police services. However, in many countries the health sector remains less engaged in the multi-sectoral response to prevent and respond to violence, compared to other sectors. Advocacy and political will is required to ensure that the health sector plays its role in addressing violence against women. In May 2014, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution titled: Strengthening the role of the health system in addressing violence, in particular against women and girls and against children. (6) The resolution asks the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a global plan of action on strengthening the role of the health system in addressing interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls and against Over the last year, WHO has developed the action plan through extensive consultations with ministries of health, civil society, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders. In January 2016, the WHO Executive Board approved the action plan for adoption at the World Health Assembly in May 2016. (7) The action plan provides an important platform for strengthening and scaling up the contribution of public health towards the achievement of SDGs 5. …