The scale of the crisis is shocking. According to the World Health Organization, around 840 million women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner or through sexual violence by others in their lifetime. That is nearly one in three women.

The same data reveal that in the last twelve months alone, 11% of women aged 15 or older were subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. The decline in such violence over the last two decades has been painfully slow—only about 0.2% per year.

What we emphasise here is that violence against women is not only about overt physical assault. It is also about humiliation, control, neglect, exclusion, digital abuse, and the denial of dignity. Whether in war zones, refugee camps, the digital world, or in ordinary homes — violence takes many forms and leaves long shadows.

Why does this matter so deeply for sport, community and youth? Because when children and young people grow up in environments where violence is tolerated or invisible, their capacity to thrive, to participate, to belong is diminished.

Sport has the power to restore safety, dignity, and community. But it cannot do so if the very fabric of our society fails to protect half its members.

In countries torn by conflict or displacement, the home is often the most dangerous place. In 2023 alone, it is estimated that around 140 women and girls were killed every day by an intimate partner or family member — over 51,000 deaths worldwide.

Shockingly, 60% of these homicides occurred in the victim’s home, and Africa saw the highest number of victims. The notion that the home is a safe refuge must be contested and changed.

These numbers challenge us: How can we build inclusive communities, sporting environments and social cultures that genuinely offer safety and empowerment if violence remains so pervasive?

Governments must strengthen protection mechanisms, legal frameworks and accessible services for survivors. Sports organisations, clubs and youth programmes must embed zero-tolerance for violence into their culture.

Corporations and digital platforms must recognise that online abuse is real abuse and must be held accountable. Parents, coaches, educators and peers must help young people understand that respect, consent and equality are not optional.

Because true sport, true community, and true human development cannot flourish in the shadow of fear. They demand dignity, trust, inclusion — and the guarantee that violence against women will not be tolerated.

On this day, we reaffirm our commitment not just to observe, but to act. Violence against women is a breach of human rights. It undermines our communities, our sport, our future.

And until every woman and girl can walk through her home, her digital space, her workplace and her community without fear — we must keep raising our voices, stepping forward, changing systems.

Violence against women is preventable. The data show progress is glacial, but the possibility for change remains strong. We must seize it.