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.
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:
- Globally, 243 million women and girls aged 15 to 49 have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.
- Between 2020 and 2030, an estimated additional 13 million child marriages could take place due to COVID-19.
- Because of the pandemic, an estimated 4.1 million girls were at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation in 2020.
The different forms of gender-based 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 is the use of physical force, such as hitting, slapping, kicking, burning, pushing, etc.
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 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.
Each year, approximately 12 million girls under 18 will be married.
In the 12 months preceding the start of COVID-19, 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) across the world had been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner.
An estimated 200 million women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).
Why gender-based violence can happen
- 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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