Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) isn’t just one thing it wears many faces, hides in unexpected places, and shapes lives in devastating ways. To truly address this epidemic, we need to recognize all its forms, from the visible scars to the invisible chains.

1. Sexual Violence: The Violation of Bodily Autonomy

Sexual violence is perhaps the most widely recognized form of VAWG but it’s more complex than most realize. It includes:

• Rape and sexual assault
• Sexual harassment in public spaces and workplaces
• Forced prostitution and trafficking
• Child sexual abuse
• Coerced or forced marriage

The UN estimates that 1 in 3 women globally experiences sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. Sexual violence not only inflicts physical harm but also leaves lasting psychological trauma and societal stigma.

Example: In conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo, sexual violence has been weaponized as a tactic of war, with survivors often lacking access to justice or support.

2. Physical Violence: The Visible Wounds

Physical violence includes any form of bodily harm inflicted on women and girls, often within homes but also in public spaces. It can be:

• Domestic violence (intimate partner violence)
• Assault by strangers or acquaintances
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) causing lasting physical damage

Despite laws in many countries, physical violence remains the most common form of abuse women report. It’s often cyclical, escalating over time if not addressed.

3. Psychological Violence: The Invisible Chains

Psychological violence is subtle but devastating. It includes:

• Emotional abuse, threats, intimidation
• Gaslighting and manipulation
• Social isolation imposed by abusers
• Controlling behavior over personal freedoms

Though unseen, this form of violence can erode self-esteem, mental health, and social networks, trapping women in abusive situations.

4. Structural Violence: When Systems and Societies Harm

Structural violence is the silent perpetrator embedded in social, economic, and political systems that disadvantage women. This form includes:

• Economic marginalization—lack of access to land, jobs, and education.
• Discriminatory laws and policies that fail to protect women or perpetuate inequality.
• Cultural norms and traditions that normalize violence or limit women’s rights.
• Limited access to healthcare and justice.

Structural violence underpins and enables other forms of violence by perpetuating power imbalances and social exclusion.

5. Economic Violence: Control Through Resources

Often overlooked, economic violence involves controlling a woman’s access to money, employment, or property, effectively limiting her independence. This can look like:

• Withholding money or resources
• Preventing women from working or controlling their earnings
• Exploiting women in unpaid labor, including care work

Economic violence traps many women in abusive relationships, reinforcing dependency.

6. Digital Violence: The New Frontier

As our lives move online, so too does violence. Digital violence includes:

• Cyberstalking and harassment
• Non-consensual sharing of intimate images (“revenge porn”)
• Online threats and trolling targeted at women

This form of violence can be particularly insidious, following women into spaces meant to be safe or empowering.

7. Climate Change and VAWG: An Emerging Crisis

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a gender justice crisis. Climate-related disasters and resource scarcity exacerbate VAWG in multiple ways:

• Increased displacement exposes women and girls to higher risks of sexual violence.
• Economic stress from loss of livelihoods can fuel domestic violence.
• Women’s roles as primary caregivers and resource gatherers increase their vulnerability during environmental shocks.
• Limited access to climate adaptation programs excludes women, reinforcing structural violence.

Why Knowing These Forms Matters

Each form of violence intersects and reinforces the others. A woman facing economic violence might also be at risk of physical or psychological abuse. Structural barriers can prevent survivors from seeking help or justice.

As we name all these faces of violence, we empower communities, policymakers, and activists to design holistic, effective interventions. It’s about recognizing that VAWG is not just a personal issue, it’s a social, political, and environmental challenge demanding urgent, intersectional solutions.