Gender-based violence (GBV) can be defined as any harm or suffering perpetrated against a woman or girl, man or boy, that has a negative impact on the physical or mental health, development or identity of the person. At its core, GBV is a product of unequal gender dynamic, discrimination and patriarchal practices, and is a manifestation of unequal power between women and men. Although men and boys can also be subjected to GBV, women and girls are mostly affected by GBV – studies show that 1 in 3 women have been victims to gender-based violence, perpetrated either by the family unit, the general community or by the state and its institutions.
Such violence can take various forms: Victims can suffer physical violence such as assault and battery slavery and slave-like practices, and trafficking. They can also suffer sexual violence including rape, marital rape, sexual abuse and exploitation, forced prostitution and sexual harassment. Gender-based violence also can be psychological and emotional violence such as abuse, humiliation, and placing restrictions on liberty and movement. In some parts of the world, gender-based violence occurs through harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, child marriage, infanticide, sex-selective abortion practices, and denial of education and economic opportunities for women and girls. These and other forms of GBV undermine the health, dignity, security and autonomy of victims while imposing a culture of silence.
GBV is therefore a violation of human rights, and wherever it occurs, it is a major obstacle for the achievement of sustainable peace and development and gender justice. GBV is also a threat to democratic governance and economic growth since victims cannot fully participate in the development of their own society. It is important to note that during conflict GBV often escalates, which stipulates the need to address it as a prerequisite to achieving sustainable peace.
Additionally, gender-based violence can undermine the long-term stability and security of states (even after they have transitioned out of violent conflict). In prevalent conflict situations, gender-based and sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, seen during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Including the aforementioned, there are a wide range of consequences of GBV on peace. A culture of violence against women undermines efforts to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive sustainable development. It is a barrier for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development, and the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and their promise to “leave no one behind” cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.
A variety of frameworks have been implemented to protect women from GBV at national and international level in times of war and peace. Perhaps the most popular framework is the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 calling for women’s rights to be at the center of conflict prevention and resolution initiatives. At a national level, in many countries including Rwanda, gender-based violence in its various forms is a crime punishable by law.3 Harmful traditional practices such as FGM, sex-selective abortions and denial of opportunities to a specific gender are also outlawed in a number of countries but are still traditionally practiced in others, while others still struggle to enforce legislation.
Currently, the lockdown imposed by governments in response to the coronavirus pandemic is being projected to have a catastrophic impact on women and girls trapped at home with their abusers. Cases of domestic violence have skyrocketed in countries such as South Africa and Kenya since the lockdown has been imposed. In addition to increasing the risk of intimate partner violence, the confinement is expected to worsen the socio-economic situation of many which exposes women and girls from less privileged backgrounds to sexual exploitation by community members. Additionally, movement restrictions will challenge access to GBV services and contraception which means women and girls risk losing their ability to plan their families, and protect their bodies and health. Furthermore, the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 as a result of a global recession will deepen poverty and put millions at risk of forced child marriage in order for families to ‘alleviate’ their financial pressures.
All of these factors contributing to Gender-based violence threaten peace at the state level by limiting the participation of women in peace, development, economic and governance processes. When their participation is limited, a significant opportunity is lost to create new structures that can challenge inequalities and violence perpetrated by men and create societies free from gender-based violence. Prevention efforts such as the transformation of social norms by working with men and boys should address gender-based violence holistically and not just conflict-related gender violence. This approach recognizes that gender-based violence during conflict and post-conflict is inherently linked to the discriminatory and patriarchal contexts that pre-date the conflict and endure its aftermath.
Addressing gender-based violence should encompass the involvement of men and boys. Men are the gatekeepers of current gender orders and are potential resisters of change. However, they can also be potential allies and agents of change in combatting gender-based violence. Men and boys are the majority perpetrators of gender-based violence but they are not born violent. Instead, they are socialized into masculine roles that promote aggressive behavior and societal standards of “what a man should be.” Notably, systems surrounding and enabling GBV are internalized by women as well. Gender roles are not merely imposed upon women, they are also enforced and enacted by them, leading them to perpetuate violent notions of masculinity and the continuation of harmful traditional practices such as FGM. This limits the recognition of GBV in communities and households since individuals are socialized into normalizing and accepting certain forms of abuse and discrimination.
In order to ensure long-term peace and hinder gender-based violence, both men, women and community leaders must engage in inclusive programs and spaces that educate them with the aim to foster positive attitudes towards women and support them in rejecting gender-based violence and discrimination of any forms against women. This will safeguard societal development, economic growth, democratic governance and human rights as a gateway for achieving sustainable peace and the sustainable development goals mission to “leave no one behind.”
By Jessica Mbanda
Communications practitioner and feminist with an interest in peacebuilding