Editor's note

Sexual violence and harassment transcends national borders and class boundaries, affecting the lives of one in three women in the world. In rural areas of the developing world, many women’s first sexual encounter is non-consensual. Valerie Dobiesz and Julia Brooks set out the disturbing facts.

The World Health Organisation’s decision to name Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe as the goodwill ambassador for non-communicable diseases in Africa was met with widespread condemnation. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has since rescinded the appointment, much to the relief of the global health community. As Luke Allen and Alice Bouriez explain, violence, political oppression and corruption are anathema to the founding principles of the organisation.

Catesby Holmes

Global Affairs Editor

Top story

Women in crisis settings, such as refugee camps and war zones, are particularly likely to experience sexual assault. Unit Bektas/Reuters

It's not just O'Reilly and Weinstein: Sexual violence is a 'global pandemic'

Valerie Dobiesz, Harvard University; Julia Brooks, Harvard University

Hollywood's sexual predation scandals are just the tip of the iceberg. One in three women worldwide has been physically or sexually assaulted, and many girls' first sexual experience is forced.

Arts + Culture

Business + Economy

Environment + Energy

  • When cities were Nature's haven: a tale from Bangalore

    Harini Nagendra, Azim Premji University

    The population of India's IT hub, Bangalore, grew for centuries because of nature, not despite it – a lesson that could give hope for the future of our modern cities.

  • For cattle farmers in the Brazilian Amazon, money can't buy happiness

    Rachael Garrett, Boston University; Joice Ferreira, Federal University of Pará

    Brazil has been throwing money at Amazonian cattle farmers, hoping they'll adopt 'greener' crops like fruit or corn. A new study shows why loans won't fix the environmental issue presented by ranches.

Health + Medicine

Politics + Society