It both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls arc subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. Hie low social and economic status of women can be both a cause and a consequence of this violence.1 Violence against women throughout their life cycle is a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between women and men.