Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms and gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. Given the devastating effect violence has on women, efforts have mainly focused on responses and services for survivors. However, the best way to end violence against women and girls is to prevent it from happening in the first place by addressing its root and structural causes.

Ajaya Kumar Mallik is Associate Fellow, New Delhi, and has more than 10 years of research experience in the fields of informal sector, employment, and poverty. He was associated with the task force ‘Definitional and Statistical Issues related to Informal Economy’. Besides this, he has worked in Indian Institute of Public Administration, Institute of Applied Manpower Research in different capacities.