Systematic data could help millions of women experiencing violence in Southeast Asia
Date:
[Press Release]
Bangkok, Thailand — Availability of data on violence against women has increased significantly in recent years, however UN Women’s evidence suggests that gaps in data collection system are hampering efforts to combat the world’s worst pandemic.
Recognizing that violence against women is a violation of human rights and a hindrance to progress, UN Women and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the support from the Government of Australia, brought together data experts and representatives from the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) to develop regional guidelines on data collection related to violence against women.
Violence against women, which includes but is not limited to physical and sexual violence, affects 1 in 3 women globally with significant cost to individuals, families, societies and the whole economies. However, the breadth and depth of the extent of violence against women still largely remains unknown. In Southeast Asia, governments are conducting surveys on violence against women to understand how their populations are affected, and whether women are seeking help, among other things. The systematic collection and analysis of data on violence against women is a priority outcome of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (RPA on EVAW), which is jointly implemented by ASEAN Committee on Women and ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. Data is essential to inform budgeting to ensure adequate services are available for survivors of violence against women and ultimately close the gap in implementation of laws and policies.
“Violence against women cannot be combatted efficiently without solid data. The collection of reliable data is crucial to assess the effectiveness of policy and services directed to prevent violence against women and meet survivors’ needs,” Anna-Karin Jatfors, Deputy Regional Director of UN Women in Asia and the Pacific said in her opening remarks.
The aim of the consultation is to integrate the experiences and practices from ASEAN Member States into regional guidance on violence against women data. The guidance will assist ASEAN Member States in measuring and reporting on the achievements of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals targets and indicators related to violence against women.
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