Fostering collective responsibility in prevention and ending gender-based violence issues

Gender-based violence is a major health, social, and human rights issue in the global context. It knows no social or economic boundaries and has devastating effects mostly on women and girls of all socio-economic backgrounds in developed and developing countries. Decreasing violence against women and girls requires a community-based, multi-pronged approach, and sustained engagement with multiple stakeholders.The rationale of the special issue is to emphasize the community and contextual aspects which are drivers of violence against women with the aim to understand the broader context and to contribute to cultural and community level prevention efforts. A specific focus of the papers in the issue is how to enhance community agency and collective responsibility in ending violence against women.