Saturday, March 31, 2012

What Is Gender Based Violence



Gender-based violence is a phenomenon that is growing worldwide. In general terms, one would expect that gender-based violence would be rife in developing countries. It is true. But, what is shocking is that it is also rife in developed countries.

It is significant that as early as 1993 the UN adopted a resolution that defines gender-based violence as “Any act of gender violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm to women or men, including threats to such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.

This is a mouthful and very technically of nature. But, the World Health Organization was able to provide a more straight forwarded and understandable definition of gender-based violence namely, it is violence directed against a person on the basis of gender or sex. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty.

The forms of gender-based violence can take on different forms throughout the world and can also be cultural or religious based. The most common forms are:

·         Domestic violence which is common in any country on earth
·         Sexual violence, which may include sexual abuse and rape.
·         Forced prostitution
·         Sexual exploitation of women but especially young girls
·         Female genital mutilation
·         Honour killings
·         Human trafficking
·         Forced marriage
·         Widow cleansing

Here are some disturbing facts relating to gender-based violence:

v  Men are guiltier of acts of gender-based violence than women are but men are also victims thereof. It seems men suffering from domestic violence are also growing, or maybe it was always there. May be men are nowadays more likely to disclose such incidents than previously
v  Women and girls are the most frequent victims of violence within the confinements of families or between intimates
v  Women and girls are most at risk from men they know. Recent years also brought forward in all its ugliness the phenomenon of date-rape
v  Wife abuse and sexual coercion cross-cuts cultural, economic  and religious barriers
v  Physical abuse in intimate relationships is almost accompanied by severe psychological and verbal abuse and often sexual abuse
v  Believe it or not, but almost universally, the response of professionals and social institutions is to blame the victim
v  Gender-based abuse can have long-term mental and physical health consequences

The physical and mental consequences of gender-based violence are well known but few people realize that it also has far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Participation in the labour force and economic welfare is limited and hampered by violence. The reason is that it leads to decreased production and increased absence from work. It is also significant that many employers are ignorant towards the phenomenon of gender-based violence and does not know how to deal with it. Subsequently many victims of this type of violence lose their jobs due to this ignorance. A subsequent development of a low self-esteem also weakens performance.

However, the indirect costs are also astronomical. The economic cost of gender-based violence totals about $385 million per year in Colombia, Canada. This figure is based on government expenditures only, not counting costs of health, care, child services, housing, legal costs, and court costs.

Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to the problem. It must also be taken into account that any economic recession may aggravate the situation and lead to an escalation of violence, especially domestic violence and forced prostitution.

However, it can be addressed. We do not need violence in our lives because it does not solve any problems.

Let us love one another enough to protect each other.

Daniel