This working paper draws from the work and experience of 13 grantees (UN Country office teams, civil society organizations and government institutions) supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) to implement projects in the ECA region between 2007 and 2016.

Preventing violence against women and girls is a key element of most projects funded by the UN Trust Fund. Because early intervention at an age when social attitudes are being formed is especially important for effecting change, the UN Trust Fund supports many projects that aim to make schools and other educational settings safe places for girls, where they are empowered to develop their human rights potential free from violence.

Women and girls with disabilities experience many of the same forms of violence all women and girls experience (e.g. psychological, physical, sexual and economic abuse). However, they suffer up to three times greater risk of rape, are twice as likely to be survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence and are likely to experience abuse over a longer period and with more severe injuries than women without disabilities.The UN Trust Fund supports projects to end violence against women and girls with disabilities.

The UN Trust Fund is investing more than US$22 million to end violence against underserved and marginalized women and girls to ensure that no one is left behind. The UN Trust Fund invests in improving the delivery of services and transforming harmful, discriminatory attitudes to prevent and end violence against LBT women.