Home to more than 60 per cent of the world’s population, Asia-Pacific is a culturally, economically and politically diverse region. Gender disparities persist in access to health, sexual and reproductive health and services, education, employment, and income. The outcomes are significantly worse for women and girls who are excluded due to a variety of factors – including age, economic status, education, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Moreover, gender-based violence remains a pernicious reality in the region, with rates of violence continue to remain high.

 

This advocacy brief aims to inform policymakers on the critical linkages between eliminating gender-based violence and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly Goal 5 on improving maternal health and providing universal access to reproductive health. Although this brief concentrates mainly on the above linkages, it is now recognized that ensuring that women are free from violence will have a positive impact on achieving all the MDGs, including on addressing poverty, gender equality, children’s health and HIV/AIDS.