Gender Based violence

1. Concept of Gender based violence

Meaning of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their gender.

GBV mainly affects women and girls, although men and boys can also be victims.

Forms or categories of Gender-Based Violence

1. Physical Violence

• Beating

• Slapping

• Kicking

• Burning

2. Sexual Violence

• Rape

• Sexual harassment

• Marital rape

3. Emotional/Psychological Violence

• Threats

• Humiliation

• Intimidation

4. Economic Violence

• Denial of financial resources

• Preventing employment

5. Harmful Traditional Practices

• Female genital mutilation

• Child marriage

• Widowhood abuse

Causes of Gender-Based Violence

1. Patriarchal Culture

Male dominance encourages control over women.

2. Gender Inequality

Unequal power relations increase vulnerability.

3. Poverty and Unemployment

Economic stress may contribute to violence especially where one of the spouses is not economically empowered.

4. Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Substance abuse increases aggressive behavior which can in turn lead to violence

5. Weak Law Enforcement -Failure to punish offenders encourages violence.

2. Concept of Gender based violence

Meaning of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their gender.

GBV mainly affects women and girls, although men and boys can also be victims.

Forms or categories of Gender-Based Violence

1. Physical Violence

• Beating

• Slapping

• Kicking

• Burning

2. Sexual Violence

• Rape

• Sexual harassment

• Marital rape

3. Emotional/Psychological Violence

• Threats

• Humiliation

• Intimidation

4. Economic Violence

• Denial of financial resources

• Preventing employment

5. Harmful Traditional Practices

• Female genital mutilation

• Child marriage

• Widowhood abuse

Causes of Gender-Based Violence

1. Patriarchal Culture

Male dominance encourages control over women.

2. Gender Inequality

Unequal power relations increase vulnerability.

3. Poverty and Unemployment

Economic stress may contribute to violence especially where one of the spouses is not economically empowered.

4. Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Substance abuse increases aggressive behavior which can in turn lead to violence

5. Weak Law Enforcement -Failure to punish offenders encourages violence.

3. Consequences and Preventions of GBV

Consequences of Gender-Based Violence

Health Consequences:  gender based violence can result in health related issues like physical Injuries, contacting sexually transmitted infections, Unwanted pregnancies

Psychological Consequences: Mental health Problems like Depression, Anxiety, fear and Trauma can result from continuous gender-based violence that is not addressed

There are also social consequences of gender -based violence like being a School dropout, Family instability ,Poverty

Economic Consequences: it can lead to Loss of productivity, Increased healthcare costs

Prevention of Gender-Based Violence :GBV can be prevented through the following ways

a)Through public enlightenment: this includes Creating opportunity for gender equality education

b) Implementation of Strict law enforcement

c) The economic empowerment of women

d) Provision of Support services for victims: The Communities must be  involve in the control of gender based violence.

 International and National Responses

 International Efforts to prevent GBV includes :-

• CEDAW- the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women(1979)adopted by the United Nations General Assembly .It is also called the International bill of rights for women

• Beijing Platform for Action of 1995

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in 2015 by world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable Development  Summit in New York. It has 17 goals

 In Nigerian some of the  Legal Frameworks to prevent GBV includes

• Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act established into the nation's law in 2015.The Act addressed Rape, Spousal battery, harmful widowhood practices ,female genital mutilation(FGM) and emotional or psychological abuse.

• Child Rights Act of 2003established to protect the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria

• Anti-human trafficking law like the Trafficking  in person(prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Act,2015.The law criminalized all forms of human trafficking, for Ed labor and sextual exploitation .It also led to the establishment of NAPTIP(National Agency For the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)