“Break the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act.” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary – General

Across Women’s Lives: Major Issues Facing Females Globally

UN: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Worldwide, women live an average four years longer than men. In 2011, women’s life expectancy at birth was more than 80 years in 46 countries, but only 58 years in the WHO African Region. Girls are far more likely than boys to suffer sexual abuse. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among adolescent girls in high- and upper-middle-income countries. Almost all (99%) of the approximate 287 000 maternal deaths every year occur in developing countries. Globally, cardiovascular disease, often thought to be a “male” problem, is the number one killer of women. Breast cancer is the leading cancer killer among women aged 20–59 years worldwide WHO factsheet