BY SHOBHA SHUKLA “THERE is a global epidemic of violence against women ‒ both within conflict zones and within societies at peace and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority,” said Angelina Jolie, the American actress and former UN ambassador for refugees more than five years ago. With the onslaught of the pandemic and global public health emergency and cascading humanitarian crises, these words have only become even more relevant today. The Asia Pacific region presents some very challenging development indicators for women and girls and socially excluded and marginalized populations. There are deep-rooted gender inequalities and discriminatory sociocultural norms and practices arising out of patriarchal systems and structures, and sexual and other forms of gender-based violence continue to be pervasive in the region.