​ADDITIONAL FACTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS

• Globally, 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18 and at least 200 million women and girls in 30 countries have undergone FGM.

• In 18 countries, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working; in 39 countries, daughters and sons do not have equal inheritance rights; and 49 countries lack laws protecting women from domestic violence.

• One in five women and girls, including 19 per cent of women and girls aged 15 to 49, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner with the last 12 months. Yet, 49 countries have no laws that specifically protect women from such violence.

• While women have made important inroads into political office across the world, their representation in national parliaments at 23.7 per cent is still far from parity.

• Only 52 per cent of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use and health care.

• Globally, women are just 13 per cent of agricultural land holders.

• More than 100 countries have taken action to track budget allocations for gender equality.