Few things in this world are unacquainted with boundaries – national, international, or otherwise – the natural elements – that is, water, air, fire, migratory birds and beasts, and
gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence is the most prevalent and serious violation of human rights worldwide – more chronic than the coronavirus, more widespread than the common flu, and more malignant than a brain tumor. It is the great equalizer of all nations. And no, we don’t talk about it like we should.
First things first, let’s dive into understanding what this term gender-based violence means, what it entails. While nations and organizations have their variations of the definition, at its core, gender-based violence is harm, or threats to harm, committed against a person(s) based on actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other such sex/gender related characteristics. Gender-based violence may include abuse, harm, and/or suffering perpetrated against a person’s will as follows:
- physical,
- sexual,
- verbal,
- emotional,
- psychological,
- financial,
- economic.
It can also take the shape of threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It can occur in public or private life.
Who is at risk of experiencing gender-based violence?
People of all genders, sexual orientations, and gender identities may experience gender-based violence, but women and girls, as well as LGBTQIA,+ are impacted the most.
Historically, gender-based violence is rooted in a system of unequal power between women and men. It was born out of gender inequality, but since then, it has reached its pinnacle.
So, what tangible shape does gender-based violence take?
Domestic Violence: It includes all acts of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse that occur within the family, domestic unit, or between intimate partners. These can be former or current spouses, even when they don’t share the same residence.
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Elderly Abuse
- Other forms of abuse from one family member to another based on gender identity
Sexual Violence: It includes any sexual activity without consent, such as rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, molestation, sexual exploitation, and forced prostitution. It can happen in:
- Private
- Public
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