Violence against women fact for Nov. 30

[November 30, 2013]  Zonta International seeks to advance the status of women worldwide by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local levels through service and advocacy.

With the generosity and collective action of Zontians and friends around the world, Zonta International has supported projects in 46 countries, provided scholarships and awards to women around the globe, and been a powerful advocate for change in our local and international communities, thereby transforming the world and women's place in it.

The local Zonta organization wants to help raise awareness of the crime of violence against women locally and around the world by publishing 16 facts, one per day, during the 16 Days of Activism.

November 30 -- day 6

Fact 6: Violence against women is an obstacle to achieving several Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The 2010 MDG review showed that progress in achieving MDG 4 on child mortality and MDG 5 on maternal mortality is very slow. Both are held back by violence against women. It is estimated that one in four women worldwide is physically or sexually abused during pregnancy, usually by her partner. Violence against pregnant women is associated with a risk of miscarriage, premature labour and fetal distress, and may be related to low birth weight. Violence against women is also a cause of maternal death. Efforts to reduce maternal, infant and child mortality should include measures to reduce intimate partner and sexual violence against women.

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