is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately. Violence against women is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in

• physical harm,
• sexual harm,
• psychological,
• or economic harm
• or suffering to women.

It can include violence against women, domestic violence against women, men or children living in the same domestic unit. Although women and girls are the main victims of war, it also causes severe harm to families and communities.