The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. The costs of gender-based violence (GBV) are substantial. Violence against women and girls impedes their full participation in society, limits access to education and economic participation, and hinders efforts to achieve gender equality broadly.
The World Bank Group and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) partnered to address this global pandemic by launching the Development Marketplace to Address Gender-Based Violence in 2015. As a result, during five years the Development Marketplace initiative awarded 50 different projects in 34 countries around the world, supporting them with the funds necessary to conduct evidence-based research, interventions, and other activities related to GBV prevention and response.
The awards, first launched five years ago, honored GBV victims and survivors, and were held in memory of Hannah Graham, daughter of longtime World Bank Group employee John Graham. The winning teams receive up to US$100,000 each. The partnership is proud to have disbursed $5 million (USD) in award funding.
