Gender-based violence transcends borders and cultures. Gender-based violence threatens lives, undermines families and communities, and impedes the progress of nations. Gender Based Violence is typically characterized by the use or threat of physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and other forms of abuse. Gender-Based Violence is… • Child, Early and Forced Marriage • Domestic Violence • Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting • Female Infanticide • Intimate Partner Violence • Marital Rape • Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor • Sexual Assault • Sexual Coercion and Abuse One in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime. USAID works to prevent and respond to gender-based violence around the world. No country can succeed if it excludes the voices and talents of half its population. From our advancement of entrepreneurship and innovation, to our programs promoting peace and reconciliation, we want to make this a safer, more prosperous world, in order to get there we need the partnership and leadership of women and girls. Gender-based violence has negative effects on us, everyone and society. Simply acknowledging that gender-based violence exists is not enough. Gender-based violence affects everybody -- it affects the men, it affects the women and more importantly, it affects the children. We are working on gender-based violence because gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime. I am working for a GBV free Nigeria. I wish our world is safer for everyone. [In Portuguese -- confirm translation] We are working for a GBV-free and Angola. It’s time to break the silence. USAID supports a GBV-free Benin. We are working for a GBV-free Rwanda.