UNICEF warns that more than 600 million children are exposed to violence at home
New data issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated that more than one in four children globally – about 610 million – live with mothers who were subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse by their partner in the past year, making violence a part of their daily lives.
It was stated on the official website According to the United Nations, children’s exposure to intimate partner violence is highest in Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and South Asia, reflecting deep regional disparities and widespread patterns of abuse experienced by women around the world.
Unicef Executive Director Katherine Russell said: “Today, millions of women and children live in homes where violence is part of normal life.” "Women’s safety and independence are crucial to children’s well-being."
This analysis follows updated UN global estimates on violence against women, published by WHO on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence against Women.
These estimates show that more than one in 10 adolescent girls and women aged 15 years and over have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner Intimate in the past 12 months.
Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights, and is rooted in and perpetuates gender inequalities.
Globally, one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, most of it by an intimate partner – a stark reminder of the scale of gender inequality and discrimination against women.
UNICEF regional data highlights, for the first time, Once, a spotlight on where women and children are most at risk.
In Oceania, just over half of children – about three million – live with a mother who has recently experienced violence. This is followed by Sub-Saharan Africa at 32%, affecting 187 million children.
Central and South Asia, although slightly lower at 29%, represents the largest number globally, with 201 million children affected.
Other regional results include: North Africa and West Asia: 26%, or 52 million children, and East and Southeast Asia 21%. Or 105 million children, Latin America and the Caribbean: 19%, or 35 million children, Europe and North America: 13%, or 28 million children, and Australia and New Zealand 5%, or nearly 400 children.
UNICEF warned that children who live in homes where their mothers are exposed to violence are more at risk of both direct and indirect harm, even if they have not been exposed to physical abuse themselves. Witnessing violence can undermine trust between children and caregivers, leave deep emotional scars, and cause trauma that often lasts into adulthood.
Exposure to intimate partner violence also increases the likelihood that children will be exposed to or perpetrate violence later in life, with long-term consequences for their safety, development, health and education.
UNICEF urges governments to take stronger action, and calls for strategies An integrated approach that addresses both violence against women and children, supported by support for women- and girl-led organizations.
It emphasizes the need for broader access to survivor-focused services, greater investment in prevention – including parenting and school-based programs – and efforts to challenge harmful social norms while amplifying the voices of survivors and youth.
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