London, In a significant move, the United Kingdom has officially declared violence against women and girls a “national threat,” prompting a call from a United Nations expert for the government to intensify its efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence. This announcement comes in response to growing concerns over the entrenched patriarchy and rise in misogyny affecting women’s safety both online and in the physical world.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, highlighted the urgent situation during a 10-day visit to the UK. Alsalem’s observations shed light on the alarming rates of violence, noting that a woman is killed by a man every three days in the country, and one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

The Special Rapporteur acknowledged the UK’s leadership in enhancing its legal framework to combat violence against women, including the incorporation of measures against coercive control, digitally facilitated violence, and stalking, and efforts to improve access to justice. Alsalem pointed to the UK as a source of inspiration and good practice for other nations aiming to safeguard women and girls and ensure accountability for crimes committed against them.

However, Alsalem identified several challenges undermining the effective realization of the UK’s policies and legislation, such as the disconnect between these policies and the UK’s international human rights obligations, critical discourse on human rights especially concerning migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, and the fragmentation of policies on male violence against women across various administrative regions.

To address these issues, Alsalem recommended a comprehensive approach that integrates all legislative and programmatic efforts against violence, formalizes government responsibility for combating discrimination and violence against women and girls, enhances coordination between government sectors and civil society, and ensures sufficient funding to actualize the advanced legislation.

The Special Rapporteur also expressed concern over the struggles faced by grassroots organizations and specialized service providers, who play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable women and girls. These organizations are currently facing severe financial difficulties, exacerbated by rising living costs, a deepening housing crisis, and a critical lack of funding, rendering their situation untenable.

Alsalem called on the UK government to provide predictable and adequate funding to these essential frontline organizations, emphasizing their vital role in offering life-saving services to women and girls seeking to escape abusive situations. The full report of the Special Rapporteur’s findings and recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.