On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism, we reflect on the dire conditions that women and girls continue to face around the world. An astonishing one in three women worldwide has been subjected to gender-based violence (GBV).

From Afghanistan to Sudan, Haiti to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conflict and crises around the world continue to exacerbate pre-existing inequalities that increase the risk of gender-based violence. Unfortunately, less than half of women who experience GBV seek help, formally or informally—often to the detriment of their mental and physical health, as well as the economic prospects of their families and communities.

To address the individual and societal costs of gender-based violence, governments must support interventions that are comprehensive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered. The voices of survivors are critical in the global effort to end GBV. We must break the stigma against speaking out and offer opportunities for empowerment.

For our part, the United States is committed to this work. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, written by then-Senator Biden. This law changed the way the United States responds to violence against women, recognizing that GBV is a human rights abuse. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to champion gender equality and justice, working to root out the drivers behind gender-based violence and help survivors heal.