Evidence Review on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Its Relationship With Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)

This short evidence review presents three different summaries that outline the current research and evidence regarding the incidences of violence against women and girls (VAWG), what is working to prevent and/or support victims of VAWG, and the evidence gaps that remain to be filled, with a particular emphasis on strategies that women's economic empowerment (WEE) actors, such as microfinance institutions, can integrate or link to.

The review highlights the consequences of VAWG on women’s well-being with an emphasis on the potential impact of the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 virus. It presents the evidence of interventions implemented at the individual (such as microfinance), community (such as social norm change activities), and facility levels (such as school-based programs). It then draws on evidence in both the United States as well as middle and low-income countries to demonstrate what has worked or not worked to prevent VAWG and also support survivors in different contexts.