Violence against women: on the increase amidst times of war

Tuesday 31 March 2026

The resurgence of violence against women in modern society presents a troubling paradox — that in an era ostensibly defined by heightened awareness of human rights, digital connectivity and institutional accountability, forms of violence that are both ancient and deeply embedded appear not merely to persist but, in many contexts, to intensify. Reports from international organisations, including UN Women, alongside national crime statistics and civil society documentation, suggest a pattern that transcends geography and culture. The phenomenon is neither uniform nor easily reducible to a single cause. Rather it is the product of converging pressures — economic, technological, cultural and political — that have altered both the visibility and the character of violence against women.

At the most basic level, it must be acknowledged that violence against women has never been absent from human society. Domestic abuse, sexual violence and coercive control have long existed within structures of patriarchy and social hierarchy. What is new is not the existence of such violence but its evolving expression and its heightened documentation. The proliferation of digital reporting mechanisms — social media platforms, encrypted messaging applications and online advocacy networks — has rendered previously invisible abuses visible, and often in real time. Yet this same technological transformation has created new vectors for harm.

Digital environments have become arenas for psychological violence, harassment and coercion. Women in public life — journalists, politicians, activists — report sustained campaigns of online abuse that frequently include threats of physical harm. These threats are not always idle. In some instances they act as precursors to real-world violence, lowering the threshold for perpetrators by normalising misogynistic rhetoric and dehumanising language. The anonymity afforded by digital platforms emboldens individuals who might otherwise be constrained by social norms, while algorithmic amplification can transform isolated acts of hostility into coordinated campaigns.

Economic instability constitutes a second and less immediately visible driver. Periods of economic strain — whether induced by global inflationary pressures, armed conflict or structural inequalities — correlate with increases in domestic violence. Financial stress exacerbates tensions within households, while reducing the capacity of victims to escape abusive environments. Women, who in many societies remain disproportionately economically dependent or employed in precarious sectors, are particularly vulnerable. In conflict zones this dynamic is magnified. Displacement, the breakdown of law enforcement structures and the proliferation of weapons combine to create conditions in which violence against women becomes both more frequent and more severe.

The war in Ukraine offers a stark illustration of these dynamics. As millions have been displaced, both internally and across borders, women have faced heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking and domestic abuse. Humanitarian agencies have documented patterns of gender-based violence in transit routes, refugee accommodations and occupied territories. The militarisation of society — inevitable in a state fighting for survival — introduces further risks. The presence of armed actors, combined with weakened civil institutions, creates an environment in which accountability becomes more difficult to enforce. Yet Ukraine is not unique in this regard. Similar patterns have been observed in conflicts from Syria to Sudan, suggesting a structural relationship between war and gender-based violence.

Cultural factors too must be considered. The past decade has witnessed significant advances in the articulation of women’s rights — movements such as #MeToo have transformed public discourse, challenging entrenched norms and exposing abuses of power. However, these advances have provoked counter-reactions. In certain political and social contexts there has been a resurgence of explicitly misogynistic ideologies, often disseminated through online communities that valorise dominance and resentment. These ideologies do not merely exist in isolation; they interact with broader political narratives that frame gender equality as a threat to traditional social order. The result is a polarisation of attitudes, in which progress in one domain is accompanied by regression in another.

Legal frameworks have in many jurisdictions improved markedly. Laws criminalising domestic violence, marital rape and harassment are more widespread than at any point in history. Yet the existence of legal protections does not guarantee their effective enforcement. Police institutions may lack training or resources; judicial systems may be slow or biased; victims may be deterred from reporting by stigma or fear of reprisal. In some cases, legal reforms have outpaced cultural change, creating a gap between formal rights and lived realities.

One must also consider the role of alcohol and substance abuse, which frequently intersect with patterns of violence. While not causal in themselves, they can act as accelerants, lowering inhibitions and intensifying aggressive behaviour. Public health crises — including those associated with mental health — further complicate the picture. The psychological aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has been linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression and social fragmentation, all of which can contribute indirectly to environments in which violence becomes more likely.

It would be simplistic however to frame the issue solely in terms of pathology or deviance. Violence against women is at its core a question of power — who holds it, how it is exercised and how it is constrained. Societies that tolerate inequality in one domain often find that such tolerance permeates others. Where women are excluded from economic opportunity, political representation or legal autonomy, the conditions are created in which violence can flourish with relative impunity.

Addressing the problem therefore requires a multi-layered response. At the international level, coordination amongst organisations such as World Health Organization and regional bodies can support data collection, best practices and funding mechanisms. At the national level, governments must invest not only in legal reform but in enforcement — training police officers, supporting specialised courts and ensuring that victims have access to shelters and legal assistance. Education systems play a critical role in shaping attitudes, promoting respect and equality from an early age.

Technology companies too bear responsibility. The platforms that have enabled new forms of violence must also be part of the solution. This entails more robust moderation systems, greater transparency in algorithmic processes and collaboration with law enforcement where credible threats are identified. Yet such measures must be balanced against concerns for privacy and freedom of expression — a delicate equilibrium that has yet to be fully achieved.

Ultimately the apparent increase in violence against women may reflect both a genuine escalation and an improved capacity to detect and report it. The distinction matters, but it does not diminish the urgency of the issue. Whether violence is increasing or merely becoming more visible, the human cost remains profound — measured not only in physical harm but in psychological trauma, lost opportunities and the erosion of trust within societies.

Modernity has furnished humanity with unprecedented tools — of communication, governance and knowledge. That these tools coexist with persistent, and in some cases intensifying, violence against women is a reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. It must be constructed, defended and continually renewed. Without such effort, the gains of recent decades risk being not a foundation for further advancement, but a fragile and reversible exception in a longer history of inequality.