NEW DELHI, Nov. 28 -- "Unite to end violence against women and girls". The theme for this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, (observed by the United Nations every November 25) could not be more apt. Violence against women that includes stalking, physical and sexual violence, forced marriage, forced abortion, forced sterilisation, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment, etc., is surging around the globe.

The World Health Organisation in 2013 maintained that violence against women and girls is an epidemic affecting one in three women worldwide in their adult lifetime and particularly, globally, women aged 15-44 are more at risk of rape and domestic violence. What is shocking is that from an estima...