Together for Prevention: Handbook on Multisectoral National Action Plans to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls

This Handbook is designed to help governments and stakeholders take a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG). It provides practical guidance to develop specialised National Action Plans (NAPs) on prevention, or to strengthen prevention within existing national strategies. By prioritising prevention, governments can work alongside civil society, development partners, and communities to make ending VAWG within our lifetime an achievable goal.

Unlike other resources that focus on both prevention and response, this Handbook is dedicated to prevention. It draws on new evidence, lessons from recent NAP development, and global frameworks such as the RESPECT Women: Preventing Violence against Women framework. With step-by-step guidance, practical tools, and examples of promising practice from diverse contexts, the Handbook supports policymakers, practitioners, and partners to design effective, multisectoral prevention strategies.

At its core, the Handbook emphasises that eliminating VAWG requires more than piecemeal action — it demands a coordinated, holistic and inclusive effort across all levels of society. By centring gender equality and bringing together the expertise of governments, civil society, businesses, development actors and donors, countries can build sustainable national approaches that stop violence before it starts.