A crises of power and silence: Why we must talk about violence against women now

My 14-year-old daughters, part of the hyperconnected Gen Z, have grown up immersed in smartphones, social media and instant access to information. They amaze me with their knowledge of climate change impacts, CO2 emissions and sustainable choices like going meatless. Yet, on 25 November, I was struck by a glaring gap: they were unaware of the concept of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

When I asked if they had discussed gender-based violence (GBV) at school or with friends, or if they knew how to respond to such situations, their answer was no. This left me reflecting: how have we successfully mobilized young people to fight global issues like climate change, yet left them unaware of the crisis of violence against women?

In my region, women continuously raise their voices to remind the world of this enduring crisis and UNDP addresses those concerns - through training judges in trauma-informed approaches to better handle gender-based violence cases in Tajikistan; establishing resilience centers in key municipalities of Albania, building early warning systems, referral networks and partnerships among frontline professionals; sharing powerful stories on how women learn to manage stress, self-healing and self-control in the context of crisis in Armenia; using the soft power of art for awareness-raising and advocacy in Kazakhstan etc.

Campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism highlight broader forms of GBV-trafficking, forced labour, harassment and sexual violence affecting men and boys-but I want to focus on women, the largest group affected. According to UN data, one in three women in Central Asia has experienced violence in their lifetime. The statistics are alarming : in Kazakhstan, domestic violence complaints have tripled over five years after domestic violence was decriminalised in 2017. In Tajikistan, over 1,000 complaints were reported in the first half of 2023, and Uzbekistan documented 40,055 cases of violence against women in 2023.

These numbers highlight systemic power imbalances where violence is used to dominate and control, often within homes by intimate partners and other family members. However, despite decades of actions and activism, GBV remains shrouded in silence.

Unlike climate change, which is thankfully included in school curricula and widely discussed in social discourse, GBV remains a taboo topic-uncomfortable and often stigmatized. In some countries, even the word "gender" is fraught with controversy, often associated with LGBTI or "western values that undermine traditional family norms", and consequently restricted or avoided in official documents altogether. According to global statistics from UNDP, 9 out of 10 people worldwide hold at least one bias against women, reflecting deeply entrenched gender stereotypes and discriminatory norms. These biases span various dimensions, including leadership, education, economic participation, and physical integrity.

The culture of silence around GBV weaves itself into society like a spider's web. The silence often begins in the home, where victims are pressured by family members to "keep family matters private", worried about reputational damage or societal judgment. Instead of support, survivors are met with shame and isolation. This silence extends to the very systems meant to protect and help survivors. Internal biases among law enforcement, shaped by societal norms, often lead to skepticism; police may view violence as a "domestic issue", unworthy of intervention, leaving survivors without recourse. Their reports are often followed by shame or harassment.

The bias seeps into the judiciary, where some judges trivialize cases or impose light sentences on perpetrators. This perpetuates a cycle where survivors are silenced, and perpetrators act with impunity and pervasive culture undermines trust in the system, leaving many survivors to navigate their trauma alone. In some countries, there are no comprehensive laws criminalizing all forms of GBV. Where laws exist, enforcement can be weak, and survivors struggle to navigate systems that are not designed to protect them.

Breaking this web requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes, addressing power dynamics and stereotypes at all levels.

For youngsters like my daughters, activism is second nature. They advocate for environmental sustainability with pride, yet remain unequipped to recognize abusive behavior, understand their rights or know where to seek help. This gap is life-threatening keeping in mind that every ten minutes, partners and family members kill a woman intentionally. Although social media is becoming another tech-facilitated threat, it can also be a powerful way to challenge harmful norms.

Millions more live in fear, trapped by systemic failures to protect them.

Schools must teach both boys and girls consent, respect and provide knowledge on resources available for survivors. In a region with entrenched stereotypes that feed into all sectors, where most of them with decision-making roles are male dominated, teaching men equality, empathy and responsibility from very young age, from the beginning, is so crucial.

To me, personally, the 16 Days of Activism is not just a campaign, it is a call to action. As a parent, it's time to talk openly with my daughters about GBV. I want them to understand this issue not as abstract but as a reality affecting their friends, loved ones and millions globally. They must always feel empowered to speak up-not just for themselves, but for others.

Violence is everyone's issue; it is not confined to a single group or community and is not separate from other global crises-it is deeply interconnected, rooted in the same systems of power dynamics. If we can mobilize a generation to combat climate change, we can also empower them to ensure safety and dignity for all.

The question to parents and families remains: are you ready to speak with your kid about it?

You can find more statistics and information about gender-based violence in the region in UNDP's Regional Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2025.

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