Why is violence against women considered a major public health problem?

• A. No health effects
• B. Only affects individuals
• C. Causes mental and physical health sequelae
• D. Only a legal issue

Answer: (C)

Violence against women is a major public health problem because it produces a wide range of health consequences at the population level, not just personal suffering. It leads to immediate injuries and longer-term physical problems, such as chronic pain and reproductive-health complications, and it also causes significant mental health impacts like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and higher risk of substance use. These harms increase demand on health care systems, reduce productivity, and impose substantial social and economic costs on families and communities. Because these health effects are common, measurable, and preventable with population-level interventions, the issue is framed as a public health priority. While laws play a role, the health impacts show why this is fundamentally about health and well-being.