The prevalence of violence against women and girls (VAWG) represents a pervasive humanitarian and security challenge. Data consistently reveals a staggering scale: according to UN Women, nearly one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This translates to an estimated 50,000 deaths annually resulting from intimate partner violence – a rate exceeding that of all global conflicts combined. The 2025 statistics, particularly the prevalence of digital abuse, underscore a critical evolution within the problem. Increasingly, conflicts utilize rape as a deliberate tactic, as evidenced by documented instances of deliberate sexual violence during the ongoing conflicts in Sudan (particularly in El Fasher), Ukraine, and Gaza. Furthermore, the expansion of online abuse – the non-consensual sharing of intimate images – presents a particularly insidious challenge, largely due to the borderless nature of digital communication and the difficulty in prosecuting offenders across jurisdictions.
Historically, responses to VAWG have been fragmented, often characterized by reactive measures rather than proactive prevention strategies. International treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), have provided a framework, but implementation remains uneven, and enforcement mechanisms are weak. Prior efforts, such as the Istanbul Convention, have faced resistance from certain nations, highlighting the political and cultural barriers to effective action. The “All In” coalition’s focus on “sharing and learning from best practice” is a prudent first step, drawing attention to initiatives like the UK’s “What Works to Prevent Violence” program – a randomized controlled trial evaluating diverse interventions – and the Spanish national database of domestic abuse perpetrators, aiming to track offender behavior and disrupt cycles of violence. However, simply identifying successful models is insufficient; replication requires adaptation to local contexts and sustained commitment.
A key strategic element highlighted by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is integrating VAWG into peace and security frameworks. This ambition is acutely relevant given the documented use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The increasing sophistication of digital attacks – including deepfake technology – necessitates a fundamentally different approach to law enforcement. The £4.85 million Integrated Security Fund, including expansion of the StopNCII.org system, is a tangible commitment to addressing these challenges. However, the initiative’s success hinges on collaboration between governments, technology platforms, and civil society organizations. “The system requires a collective effort to achieve its intended outcome,” stated a senior researcher at the Overseas Development Institute, “and the UK’s leadership will be critical to driving that collaboration.”
The coalition’s overall strategy faces significant headwinds. The digital realm, in particular, presents a complex regulatory landscape. Existing laws often prove inadequate to combat cross-border abuse, and tech companies have been criticized for failing to adequately address the problem through content moderation. Moreover, the sheer volume of digital content makes comprehensive monitoring a virtually impossible task. “We are operating in a world where the sheer scale of the problem – the constant stream of potential abuse – overwhelms our capacity to respond effectively,” noted Dr. Emily Carter, a specialist in digital security at Cambridge University, “and the UK’s efforts will need to be strategically focused, prioritizing interventions that are both targeted and scalable.”
Looking ahead, the next six months will likely see the “All In” coalition continue to build momentum, focusing on securing commitments from key stakeholders and piloting interventions in selected countries. Over the next five to ten years, the coalition’s success will depend on its ability to foster a globally coordinated response. Crucially, progress must extend beyond simply documenting and treating VAWG, to proactively addressing the underlying drivers of violence— including patriarchal norms, gender inequality, and social exclusion. Ultimately, the “All In” initiative represents an important step, but its impact will ultimately be determined by whether it can translate commitment into tangible, transformative change on a global scale. The challenge lies in transitioning from a well-intentioned gesture to a sustainable, transformative strategy.