In line with UNFPA's mission as well as commitments made by the UN and the International Community, addressing GBV is a priority for the Population Fund. The current Strategic Plan for 2008-2011 (extended to 2013) and the Strategic Plan for 2014-2017 sharpened the organization’s focus on its primary goals: to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, secure reproductive rights and reduce maternal mortality. The Fund believes that the advancement of gender equality and women´s empowerment are worthy goals by themselves and are also central to achieving success in the area of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), particularly the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) including violence against women (VAW) and other harmful practices widely regarded as violations of human rights. It is the belief of UNFPA that GBV is a global health concern of epidemic proportions with serious implications for the SRHR of all.