The Cost of Violence Against Women in Africa

Violence is widespread in Africa, as it is in other parts of the world. However, violence is particularly costly for Africa. Due to diverse factors, Africa continues to struggle for development and prosperity, even as it is endowed with abundant resources. One major limitation to Africa’s quest for development is violence against women. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened gender-based violence globally and Africa witnessed a sharp spike in the number of reported cases. This chapter discusses the cost of violence against women in Africa. It seeks to highlight the impact of violence against women and to urge various actors to invest in addressing violence against women in Africa. It argues that overcoming violence will place Africa on a more promising development trajectory.