Rights & safety
Violence, legal protections, work, and representation: where women stand, and where the gaps are.
What the research shows
Global figures unless labeled U.S. Superscripts link to the full source list. Use "Save image" to share a stat.
About 1 in 3 women (840 million) have been subjected to intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
of seats in national parliaments were held by women as of January 1, 2025.
Intimate partner violence rates are 2.5 times lower in countries with comprehensive measures on violence against women than in countries with weak protections.
U.S.About 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have been stalked at some point in their lives, compared with about 1 in 10 men.
women and girls were killed by an intimate partner or family member every day on average in 2024, about 50,000 in total.
U.S.of U.S. women did household activities on an average day in 2025, compared with 75% of men. On those days, women spent 2.8 hours on them and men 2.1 hours.
U.S.In 2024, women working full time earned a median 83% of what men working full time earned each week.
About 650 million women and girls alive today were married before age 18, about 1 in 5 girls worldwide.
More than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation, in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
U.S.sexual harassment charges were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in fiscal year 2025.
Picture it
The same numbers, drawn to scale.
Read more
In-depth, fully sourced articles. All articles
- Signs of an abusive relationshipAbuse is not always physical. Learn the types of partner abuse, common warning signs, why leaving is hard, and how to get or give support safely.
- Stalking and technology-facilitated abuseStalking is common and often uses phones, apps, and trackers. Learn the signs, why removing spyware can alert an abuser, and how to document and get help.
- Your rights at work while pregnant or nursing (U.S.)Federal laws protect pregnant and nursing workers in the U.S. Learn about accommodations, pumping breaks, leave, and how to file a charge before deadlines pass.
You're not imagining it
Common things women hear, and what the data says.
Myth
Violence against women is rare.
Fact
About 1 in 3 women (840 million) have been subjected to intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.3
Myth
Stalking is rare.
Fact
About 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have been stalked at some point in their lives, compared with about 1 in 10 men.22
Myth
The pay gap is a thing of the past.
Fact
U.S.In 2024, women working full time earned a median 83% of what men working full time earned each week.25
Myth
Women and men share housework equally now.
Fact
87% of U.S. women did household activities on an average day in 2025, compared with 75% of men. On those days, women spent 2.8 hours on them and men 2.1 hours.24
Support is available
See all support options, questions to ask your doctor, or how to help someone else.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Free and confidential.12
Call 1-800-799-7233love is respect
Call 1-866-331-9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat at loveisrespect.org. Confidential support from trained advocates.32
Call 1-866-331-9474StrongHearts Native Helpline
Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483), text START to 1-844-762-8483, or chat at strongheartshelpline.org. Safe, confidential, and anonymous. Services are at no cost.33
Call 1-844-762-8483If you are in immediate danger, call 911.