A study has warned that children growing up in societies that experience high levels of gender inequality are more likely to be abused and neglected. Researchers said in Washington, rates of discrimination against women substantially influence the levels of child physical abuse and child neglect. <br/><br/>They analysed data about severe physical discipline of children, such as being hit, slapped or repeatedly beaten, or child neglect from 57 countries worldwide. The data was based on surveys conducted by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Demographic and Health Surveys conducted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2011 to 2015. The study was published in the Journal of Family Violence.