BOX 10. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS Studies show that violence perpetrated against women by their spouse or intimate partner is widespread. 30 In Zambia in 2001, statistics indicate that 27% of women were victims of such violence during the latest 12 months and that 48% had been victims at some point during their lifetime. Figures from other parts of Africa are similar. In Bangladesh, the percentage is even higher. Figures from 2000 indicates that in Thailand just over 20% of women suffered ­domestic violence during the previous 12 months and just over 40% during their lifetimes. In some ­provinces of Peru, more than two thirds of women according to figures from 2000 had been subject to violence from their partner at some point during their lifetime, with a similar figure in towns of around half. In Brazil the same figures for 2000/2001 were 29% in the cities and 37% in the provinces. In Europe, figures from the UK (2006/2007) and ­Germany (2003) show 29% for lifetime and 6 and 3% respectively for the previous 12 months. On this basis, it is clear that domestic violence against women is a large and global problem. Surveys31 show that many women find their husband justified in hitting or beating them, for example for refusing to have sex (for instance 37% in Burkina Faso (2003), 51% in Ethiopia (2000), 21% in Turkmenistan, 7% in Indonesia, and 14% in Haiti); for other reasons, e.g. neglecting the children or going out without informing the husband, the percentage is ­generally even higher. Research has shown that violence against women has serious health consequences, not least with respect to reproductive health. 32 Women who suffer abuse from their partner have less ability to control the timing of sex and the use of contraception and consequently have more children. This violates their right to choose freely the timing and number of children; it may even lead to young women having children before maturity with a greater risk of mortality and morbidity. Women victims of intimate partner abuse have a significantly greater prevalence of gynaecological problems and STIs. Significant percentages of abuse happens during pregnancy, leading to pregnancy complications, stillbirths etc. 33 30 Statistics taken from Table 6.B of The World’s Women 2010, compiled by the United Nations Statistics Division from national and international reports. 31 From Table 6.D of The World’s Women 2010. 32 A short publication, explaining this link, is Outlook Volume 20, Number 1, September 2002, published by PATH and UNFPA. See www.path.org/files/EOL20_1.pdf 33 For a country specific analysis from 2011, see “Domestic Violence in the United States” - A Preliminary Report prepared for Rashida Manjoo, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 18 April 2011 (reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/newsletter/DV%20in%20the%20US_Br%20Paper%20to%20SR%20 on%20VAW.pdf) which deals with reproductive rights on pages 39-47. In her report to the Human Rights Council on her mission to the USA (A/HRC/17/26/Add. 5 from June 2011 para 21) the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences stated “Women victims of violence also face enormous challenges in terms of their sexual and reproductive health. Abusers usually exercise control over victims’ access to contraception, abortion and other reproductive health services.” 102