What is gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a problem that exists in all countries and economic and social groups. It is violence that targets and disproportionately impacts individuals based on their gender, especially women and girls. The harm inflicted results in trauma, with negative short- and long-term effects on survivors’ health, dignity and security. Violence against girls and women can take place anywhere, including at home, at school, within communities, in public institutions and at work.

Definition of GBV: Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in inequality, abuse of power and discrimination, and it most often affects girls and women.

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There are many types of violence that affect women and girls:
  • rape and attempted rape
  • any form of abuse (including sexual, emotional and economic)
  • sexual exploitation
  • child, early or forced marriage
  • violence within families
  • trafficking
  • female genital mutilation

The impact of COVID-19 on GBV

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and incidents of violence against women and girls, especially in low-income countries. This secondary impact of the pandemic will have long-lasting and devastating consequences for many years to come:

The different forms of gender-based violence

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Sexual violence

Sexual violence includes pressuring or forcing someone to perform sexual acts (from kissing to sex) against their will or making sexual comments that make someone feel humiliated or uncomfortable. It does not matter if the person has previously consented to sexual behaviour – consent must be given at the time of the act.

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE 

Physical violence

Physical violence is the use of physical force, such as hitting, slapping, kicking, burning, pushing, etc.

emotional VIOLENCE 

Emotional or psychological violence

Emotional or psychological violence is often the most difficult form of violence to identify. It may include humiliating, threatening, insulting and pressuring as well as expressions of jealousy or possessiveness, such as controlling someone’s decisions and activities. It can also include restricting someone’s movements. This form of violence can be verbal or non-verbal.

ECONOMIC VIOLENCE 

Economic violence

Economic violence is when someone else exercises complete control over a person’s money and other economic resources. This type of violence is a way of exerting power and can be used to control someone’s movements, by keeping them from meeting with friends, for example.

Why gender-based violence can happen

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  • Unequal power relations: People who abuse women and girls may do so due to long-standing discriminatory outlooks by which they view women and girls as less entitled to respect and dignity. This can also be because societal norms have placed the abuser in a position of greater status and power to threaten or exert force or control over others – sometimes with little risk of consequence.
  • Low social status and value of women and girls (and people who do not conform to the gender binary).
  • Gender stereotypes and norms that justify violence.
  • Because it is often condoned by governments or considered “normal”.

What Plan International is doing to address violence against girls and women

Gender-based violence can happen when there is an unequal power relationship between girls and boys or women and men. Plan International runs programs that provide information and opportunities that help shift mindsets, practices and dynamics to ensure everyone is equally valued and treated fairly and can reach their full potential.

Here is what Plan International is doing to ensure everyone has equal value, respect and status in society and reduce violence against girls and women:

Advocating with lawmakers and community partners to promote every person's equal right to safety and protection; challenging violent practices that primarily affect girls, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Providing comfortable spaces where youth can openly discuss their perspectives on topics like self-esteem and relationships and learn about everyone's right to safety. These discussions help develop positive attitudes about equality between girls/women and boys/men.

Forming groups where women can come together to discuss the violence and challenges they may face and offer shared solidarity.

Facilitating discussions among men to encourage positive expression and the fair treatment of women and girls, prevent violence, and reflect on stereotypical and discriminatory views and practices that harm and limit everyone.

 

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