ABSTRACT
Violence against women and girls is the most widespread form of abuse worldwide and crosses cultural and economic boundaries. The World Health Organization (WHO 2013) reported that approximately 30% of the world’s female population has experienced physical or sexual violence. This violence takes on many different forms, including physical, psychological and sexual abuse; domestic violence; female genital mutilation; child marriage and forced marriage; sex trafficking; and ‘honour-based’ violence. It is a gross violation of human rights. It is also a global public health issue because of the effects on women’s physical, psychological and sexual health, and the growing social and economic costs. The adverse health outcomes that women and girls experience as a consequence of abuse lead to an increased use of health care resources (Bonomi et al. 2009). Therefore, health care workers, midwives in particular, frequently and often unknowingly encounter women experiencing or affected by violence.
