A new study by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows that violence against women can be significantly affected by community-based interventions.

"Programming to Address Violence Against Women," reports on 10 case studies showing how targeted and planned interventions actually reduce gender-based violence.

UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said, "In many of these cases, the extent of violence against women was so prevalent and so entrenched that it first seemed impossible to budge the prevailing mindset…What we learned is that persistent advocacy targeting community leaders and the larger public can bring about huge changes in a relatively short time."

The UNFPA also released a companion booklet, "Ending Violence Against Women: Programming for Prevention, Protection and Care," and an online multimedia exhibit.

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