Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person¡¯s will and that is based on socially ascribed gender differences. GBV includes acts that inflict physical; mental; sexual harm or suffering; threats of such acts; and coercion and other deprivations of liberty; whether occurring in public or in private life. GBV disproportionately affects women and girls across their lifespan and takes many forms; including sexual; physical; economic and psychological abuse. It occurs at home; on the streets; in schools; workplaces; farm fields; and refugee camps; during times of peace as well as in conflicts and crises. Effectively addressing GBV contributes to the achievement of the World Bank¡¯s twin goals of poverty reduction and shared prosperity by increasing women¡¯s and girls¡¯ ability to participate in society and livelihood opportunities. GBV is a prevalent feature in settings across countries where the World Bank operates; recent estimates by WHO indicate that at least 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual assault in their lifetime.