Public Health Scotland (PHS) is supporting the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign which launches today.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a major public health issue in Scotland:

  • At least four out of five incidents of domestic abuse have a female victim and a male accused.
  • Women are more likely to live in poverty and VAWG sustains this.
  • All forms of violence against women and girls can seriously affect physical, mental and sexual health.
  • VAWG creates barriers to health services, employment and education.

The global campaign calls for unity to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Through the ongoing development of Scotland’s Equally Safe strategy, PHS continues to work with partners to seek collective actions to prevent and eradicate all forms of VAWG.

For more information on the 2022 campaign visit the Improvement Service website and follow #WhatsNext on socials.

Find out more about Gender Based Violence.

Read Scotland’s public health priorities and violence against women and girls.

Last updated: 25 November 2022