The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW) is commemorated annually on 25 November, the first day of the global campaign of 16 days of activism against violence against women. 

Violence against women remains a serious issue across Asia and the Pacific. The impact on the lives of survivors is grave. Their families and communities are also affected, decreasing productivity and placing economic burden on health, social, and justice services, and ultimately, development and progress. 

The numbers are staggering – the UN reports that globally, one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or family member. In Asia and the Pacific, 3 in 4 women have experienced sexual harassment. 

ADB Strategy 2030 Midterm Review’s Pillar on Resilience and Empowerment recognizes that intersecting crises have affected women and girls disproportionately and that there are alarming regional trends including higher rates of gender-based violence. 

While efforts to address and prevent violence against women have increased over the years in the region, prevalence rates remain high, and support services have had to diversify their approach to find pathways for initial support and economic empowerment of survivors and their families. 

Frontline services have played a pivotal role in raising and amplifying awareness not only on the elements of violence against women but also on the importance of tailored crisis and recovery responses for survivors. Support services and referral pathways remain a key partner for ADB as they provide a critical service not just for project-affected communities and government agencies but also for project management units and contractors. 

This year, ADB commemorated IDEVAW with various experts who discussed the work of key support services and engaging with survivors using a survivor-centered approach. The panel discussion explored how resources are mobilized and what a survivor-centered approach could mean for ADB operations. 

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