LAUSR

Violence against women (VAW) has been recognized as a public health problem for decades (Saltzman, Green, Marks, & Thacker, 2000). However, rising rates violence (Kim, & Phillips, 2021; McNeil et al., 2022; Ssentongo et al., 2021; Viero et al., 2021) and the overturn of Roe vs. Wade by the United States Supreme Court suggest an urgent need to regalvanize efforts to promote gender equality and prevent women’s victimization. Of course, we still have much to learn about these complex constructs and how to achieve them. Recently, Cid and Leguisamo (2022) analyzed data from 47,000 women from 46 countries to examine associations between gender equality and sexual violence victimization. We commend these authors and all researchers who recognize the importance of this topic and work to advance our knowledge in the area. We were, however, concerned upon reading the title of the manuscript in which they declared, “Gender equality does not prevent sexual abuse of women.” We were surprised that such a definitive conclusion would be drawn from any single piece of research, especially from what is ultimately a correlational study with a small sample (N = 46 countries out of 195 in the world). We respectfully disagree with the authors’ conclusions from their findings and the determinations that stem from them. We are also concerned that making claims that undercut the importance of advancing gender equality without sufficient evidence is harmful and irresponsible. Herein we offer several points as to why we think it is premature to conclude gender equality does not or cannot prevent violence against women. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2022.2107647