Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most widespread and toxic human rights violations in the world. It takes a wide variety of forms, from domestic violence to rape to female genital mutilation. Domestic violence alone costs the world 9.5 trillion dollars each year in economic loss. As eradicating VAW means dismantling the stubbornly entrenched patriarchal system that maintains toxic masculinity, sexism, misogyny and male pattern violence and perpetuates gender-based violence, progress in eradicating VAW is invariably difficult, painfully slow, and frequently endangers changemakers (usually women) themselves.
In 2025, anti-VAW advocates and activists continue to rebuild after the pandemic dealt decades of efforts to combat VAW a crushing setback triggered by what UN Women dubbed the “shadow pandemic of violence against women.” Since that time, the number of domestic violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and femicide cases stubbornly remains much higher than the already devastating pre-pandemic numbers. Additionally, UN Women sounded the alarm this year as deep foreign aid cuts have impacted organisations that provide life-saving services for women to the point where half of these organisations were in danger of shutting down or have since been shuttered.
However, even in the midst of all this bleakness, anti-violence against women activists and advocates, individuals, communities, and nonprofits/charities are continuing to fight for the right of women and girls to live their lives free of gender-based violence. No matter how brutal 2025 continues to be for women and girls, progress continues to be made to eradicate the violence in the long run.
In the spirit of the defiance, strength, and determination of these fierce activists and advocates worldwide, we bring you 16 pieces of positive news of significant progress and breakthroughs in the global battle against VAW in 2025. The road to ending VAW permanently may be a long and winding one, but these milestones show that we’re on the right track. We just have to remember that it takes all of us to get it done.
To learn more about any of the news stories below, please click on the headlines to access the full news report.
It’s time to stop violence against women. Together.
Introduction by Regina Yau. Written by Regina Yau. Researched and curated by Regina Yau.
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Positive Tidings #1: Oldest Rape and Femicide Cold Case in the UK Solved by DNA Profiling – United Kingdom
In July 2025, 92-year-old Ryland Headley was jailed for life after being convicted of the 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne in her home. Headley’s case is believed to be the oldest cold case solved in modern English policing history using DNA profiling and Headley is believed to be the oldest person in the UK to be convicted of murder. This was not the first time Headley had been convicted for sexual violence – in 1977, Headley had raped two other women and had originally been convicted and jailed for life. However, his sentence was reduced to two years when a doctor told the court the rapes arose due to sexual frustration arising from his marriage. During Headley’s sentencing in July 2025, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, told Headley: “You will never be released – you will die in prison.”
Positive Tidings #2: Kuwait Ends Legal Leniency for ‘Honour Killings’ in Landmark Reform – Kuwait
In March 2025, Kuwait repealed a law that allowed reduced sentences for men who killed female family members in so-called “honour killings.” The landmark reform ensures that “honour killings” will be prosecuted as murder. This marks a major step towards gender equality and justice. Kuwait’s Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait announced the repeal, stating that the provision had no basis in Islamic law and violated fundamental human rights. He said: “This law granted legal leniency to certain perpetrators of murder, contradicting Kuwait’s constitutional principles and international human rights commitments.” This repeal of Article 153 of its 1960 Penal Code aligns with Article 29 of Kuwait’s Constitution, which guarantees equality in human dignity, public rights, and duties without gender-based discrimination.
Positive Tidings #3: New Laws Expand Protection for Women Against Violence in Brazil – Brazil
On 25 April 2025, two laws that expand the protection of women against gender-based violence were published in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) in Brazil. The first law will subject domestic violence perpetrators to electronic monitoring, “providing the victim with a security device that alerts them about the aggressor’s possible approach”. The second law increases the penalty for the crime of psychological violence against women by half when the crime is committed using artificial intelligence or other technological means. It also steps up the penalty for disseminating scenes of rape, sex scenes, or pornography.
Positive Tidings #4: New Legislation Passed in Colombia’s Congress Offers State Support to Child Survivors of Femicide – Colombia
In June 2025, Colombia’s Congress passed new legislation which offers state support to children who survive their mother’s femicide. The bill was drafted with consultation with the families of femicide victims who provided information to lawmakers about why femicide legislation is crucial and the type of support the children of victims need. The legislation will provide support to children who lose a parent to femicide until they reach the age of 18. Those who are disabled or who choose to pursue higher education will remain eligible for benefits until the age of 25. It also provides funding for the funerals of femicide victims as well as free access to mental health programmes to their children.
Positive Tidings #5: Uber Will Let Women Drivers and Riders Request to Avoid Being Paired with Men – United States of America
In July 2025, Uber announced a new feature on its app to allow female drivers and passengers in the U.S. to be paired with each other as a safety measure. The pilot programme for this feature was launched in three U.S. cities – Los Angeles, Detroit, and San Francisco – in August 2025. This is a much-welcome but very belated move by Uber to improve safety for female riders and address the ongoing issue of male drivers sexually assaulting female passengers. Between 2017 and 2022, Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes. Variations of this feature had been rolled out in 40 other countries prior to being introduced in the U.S.
Positive Tidings #6: The Rate of Female Genital Mutilation in Egypt Drops from 61% to 37% – Egypt
In June 2025, Egypt’s Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy announced that the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) among girls aged 15-17 in in the country had fallen sharply from 61% in 2014 to 37% in 2021. Public support among women for FGM has also decreased significantly from 75% in 2000 to 30% in 2021. Despite this notable progress, Morsy stated that eliminating FGM requires an ongoing effort because there are an estimated seven million girls still at risk of undergoing FGM between 2015 and 2030. She said: “This compels us to accelerate our efforts at fifteen times the current pace to meet the global goal of eliminating FGM by 2030.”
Positive Tidings #7: South Korean Women File Landmark Forced Prostitution Lawsuit Against the U.S. Military – South Korea
In September 2025, 117 South Korean women who were forced into sex work serving U.S. soldiers stationed in the country filed a landmark lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse. From the 1950s to 1980s, thousands of South Korean women worked for brothels set up by the South Korean government to serve U.S. troops stationed in the country to protect the South from North Korea. Victims were frequently tricked into the work and subject to sexual abuse by U.S. soldiers. This lawsuit is the first of its kind to officially accuse and demand an apology from the U.S. military for forced prostitution. The suit seeks 10 million won ($7,200) in compensation per victim. The suit also names the South Korean government as a defendant because, under current laws, Seoul must compensate victims of illegal acts committed by U.S. soldiers on duty and seek reimbursement from Washington.
Positive Tidings #8: Bolivia Bans Child Marriage in a Historic Victory for Girls – Bolivia
In September 2025, a new law banning child marriage and raising the legal minimum age for marriage to 18 came into force. The new law (no. 1639) was enacted by the President of the Republic of Bolivia and makes child marriage and early unions illegal with no exceptions. This new law amends the previous law (no. 603) by eliminating the legal loopholes that had allowed girls to be married at the age of 16. With this recent law change, Bolivia joins the growing number of Latin American and Caribbean nations that have banned child marriage, including Chile, Costa Rica, Panamá, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Positive Tidings #9: French MPs Vote to Define Rape as Any Non-consensual Sexual Act – France
In October 2025, France’s lower house of parliament approved a bill to define rape as any non-consensual sexual act. Parliament members in France’s National Assembly voted 155 to 31 in favour of the measure. This brings France in line with other European countries that have consent-based legislation. This landmark move comes after the appalling case of Gisèle Pelicot, whose former husband drugged her and invited dozens of strangers to rape her. Pelicot’s case reignited a debate over consent in the country. Centrist lawmaker Véronique Riotton, who co-sponsored the bill, said: “This text sends a signal … We are collectively moving from a culture of rape to a culture of consent.”
Positive Tidings #10: The Netherlands is to Adopt Clare’s Law to Check Partner’s Violent Past – The Netherlands
In June 2025, a majority of Dutch MPs voted in support of a motion to adopt legislation that will allow women to check if their partner has convictions for domestic violence. This legislation is based on Clare’s Law, which came into law in the UK in 2014 following the 2009 femicide of Clare Wood by her ex-partner. Police knew him to be dangerous but Wood herself remained unaware of his violent past. Under this legislation, concerned family members and friends would also be able to request access to the information from the police. The motion stated that “timely detection and follow up of reports of domestic violence is too often failing” and that access to information about the violent past of a partner would help women make “a well-informed choice and ask for help at an early stage.”
Positive Tidings #11: Rape Victim Becomes First to Have Sexual Assault Recognised as “Industrial Injury” – China
A woman in China who was raped by her boss on a business trip and later fired has had her ordeal ruled an “industrial injury” by the Jinnan District People’s Court in Tianjin, northern China. This verdict came after a local judicial authentication institution assessed that the victim Cui Lili had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to being raped. The classification of her health issues as an industrial injury is the first of its kind in China and allows the victim to claim compensation from the company in civil court. On the day of the hearing, Cui wore the same clothes as those she was wearing when she was raped. “Last time, I wore it and was humiliated. This time, I wore it to fight for justice,” she stated to the press. Cui has since sued her former employer and is demanding it compensate her with two million yuan (US$280,000) after it dragged its feet with paying the initial 1.13 million yuan (US$160,000) ordered by the local labour arbitration authority.
Positive Tidings #12: Bosnia’s Federation Parliament Adopts Law Protecting Domestic Violence Victims – Bosnia and Herzegovina
In February 2025, the House of Representatives in Bosnia’s Federation entity parliament unanimously adopted a new law proposed by the ministry of justice regarding the protection of women and girls from domestic violence and violence against women. The ministry made its case by pointing out to lawmakers that the law was needed in order to incorporate into federation legislation the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Bosnia’s Justice Minister Vedran Skobic stated that the new law introduces urgent protection measures, including the use of electronic surveillance of abusers under restraining orders; regulates the rights of victims and children; and protects victims of violence.
Positive Tidings #13: The City of Islamabad Bans Child Marriage – Pakistan
In May 2025, a landmark bill banning child marriage in Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad was passed in the face of fierce opposition from traditionalists. This bill replaces legislation introduced under British colonial rule. Under the new legislation, the minimum age for marriage is 18 for both genders and underage marriage is now categorised as a criminal offence. Family members, clerics, and registrars who facilitate or coerce minors into early marriage will face punishment of up to seven years in prison. Additionally, any sexual relations within a marriage involving a minor – with or without consent – will be considered statutory rape and an adult man who marries a girl could face up to three years in prison.
Positive Tidings #14: Bhutan Launches National Strategy to Eliminate Gender-based Violence by 2028 – Bhutan
On International Women’s Day 2025, Bhutan launched its National Strategy and Framework of Action on Eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Bhutan aims to eliminate GBV using a multi-pronged approach that concentrates on fostering gender equality, transforming social norms, strengthening data collection, and providing inclusive services that empower survivors. Bhutan will close significant gaps in its prior approach to the issue by improving access to domestic violence shelters, building a supportive environment for survivors, and promoting the prevention of violence against women. Bhutan aims to ensure that all survivors have access to high-quality, comprehensive response services by 2028.
Positive Tidings #15: India sees Major Fall in Prevalence of Child Marriages – India
India has seen a significant fall in the number of child marriages, with a drop of 69% in child marriage involving girls. The state of Assam recorded the highest percentage decline due to legal action against child marriages, with 77% of respondents across the state reporting that child marriage in their villages has either “stopped completely” (19%) or “reduced to a large extent” (58%), while 22% observed it has “reduced to some extent”.
Positive Tidings #16: Domestic Violence Perpetrators to be Named on New Register – Ireland
In October 2025, the Government of Ireland introduced a new law where domestic abusers will be named on a new register run by the courts. The law would allow judgments against those prosecuted for offences relating to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence to be published on a publicly available list. After three years, any perpetrator named in the domestic violence register can apply to be removed from it but removal will be subject to the following conditions: the court will take into account whether they have committed any other offences, what the wishes of the victim are, and the efforts that the perpetrator has undertaken to rehabilitate themselves.
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