It is well documented that gender-based violence cuts across all social, economic, religious and class boundaries.  Violence against women and girls is described by the UNFPA as “one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world”, affecting an estimated one in three women.

Gender-based violence expresses itself in a host of harmful behaviours directed at women and girls, including sexual assault, female genital mutilation, rape (including marital rape), forced prostitution, early marriage, trafficking and any other acts of physical or psychological violence.   It is thought that violence against a women from her male spouse or partner (so-called intimate partner violence) is the most pervasive form of violence. Gender-based violence, is also rife in conflict zones, affecting women and girls “by virtue of nothing but their gender.” Sadly, this violation of women and girls does not stop even when a woman is pregnant.

The consequences of gender-based violence on maternal health…