Every second woman worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her life. Women are attacked on the street, at work, at home, in times of war and armed conflict and, in many countries, in state prisons. To take action, the UN set up a fund to combat violence against women in 1996. The fund, which is administered by UN Women, supports local, regional and global initiatives by governments and NGOs to combat and prevent gender-based violence. With its support, around 150 projects can be realised. UN Women focusses on implementing laws and policies and providing survivors with access to vital support services.