7 out of 10 women in conflict setting and in refugee populations are exposed to gender-based and sexual violence. Women who have experienced violence are 50% more likely to be living with HIV. Women who have been physically or sexually abused by their partners report higher rates of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, higher use of alcohol and less control over sexual decision-making.

Women and adolescent girls belonging to especially marginalized groups face elevated risks of violence, discrimination and stigma, compounding the risks of HIV. While data and research specific to the experiences of adolescent girls and young women from those groups are lacking, and data are not systematically disaggregated by sex, age and other variables, the information available shows that pregnant women from key populations experience high rates of unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, abortion and unmet need for contraception. Women who inject drugs have reported high rates of sexual violence from law enforcement officials. Some studies find that survivors of violence are more likely to inject drugs than women who had not experienced assault.