Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence is most prevalent in Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and Southern Asia, highlighting significant regional inequalities and widespread abuse patterns faced by women globally.
“Today, millions of women and children endure violence as a regular part of life,” stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Women’s safety and autonomy are crucial to children’s well-being.”
UN global estimates on violence against women, released by the WHO on behalf of the UN Violence Against Women Inter-Agency Working Group, indicate that over one in 10 adolescent girls and women aged 15 and over have experienced intimate partner violence in the past year.
Violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence, poses a major public and clinical health issue and violates women’s human rights, rooted in and perpetuating gender inequalities.
Globally, one in three women encounters physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime, mostly by an intimate partner, reflecting the extent of gender inequality and discrimination against women.
UNICEF’s regional data, released for the first time, identifies where women and children face the most risk.
In Oceania, over half the children, around three million, live with mothers who recently experienced intimate partner violence. Sub-Saharan Africa follows at 32%, impacting 187 million children. Central and Southern Asia, slightly lower at 29%, accounts for the largest number, with 201 million affected children.
Additional regional findings include:
- Northern Africa and Western Asia: 26%, or 52 million children
- Eastern and South-Eastern Asia: 21%, or 105 million children
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 19%, or 35 million children
- Europe and Northern America: 13%, or 28 million children
- Australia and New Zealand: 5%, or approximately 400,000 children
Children in homes where mothers face violence face increased risks of both direct and indirect harm, UNICEF cautioned.
Witnessing violence, even without being physically abused, can damage trust between children and caregivers, leave deep emotional scars, and cause trauma that can persist into adulthood.
Exposure to intimate partner violence increases the likelihood of children experiencing or perpetuating violence later, with long-term ramifications for their safety, development, health, and education.
UNICEF is urging governments for stronger action, advocating integrated strategies to combat violence against women and children, supported by women- and girl-led organizations.
It stresses the need for broader access to survivor-centered services, enhanced prevention investment—including parenting and school-based programs—and efforts to challenge harmful social norms while amplifying survivors’ and young people’s voices.
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