GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive and deeply rooted global issue that encompasses any harmful act inflicted upon an individual based on their gender, gender identity, or perceived gender roles. It includes physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm, and it emerges from systemic power imbalances and cultural norms that uphold discrimination and inequality. Though GBV can affect anyone, it disproportionately impacts women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals—especially those navigating multiple layers of marginalization, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

At its core, GBV is not merely the result of individual actions but a product of broader societal structures. Patriarchal systems, rigid gender roles, and institutionalized inequality serve as fertile ground for such violence to occur and persist. These systems reinforce hierarchies that grant power and control to some while disempowering others. The normalization of dominance and submission—particularly in relationships and public institutions—creates environments in which coercion and abuse are tolerated or ignored.

GBV takes many forms and occurs across both public and private spaces. It includes intimate partner violence, which often manifests as physical abuse, coercive control, or emotional manipulation. Sexual assault and rape are other common and devastating manifestations, frequently underreported due to stigma and fear. Sexual harassment, whether in the workplace, on the street, or online, further reinforces a culture of intimidation and objectification.

Certain practices and traditions also constitute GBV. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a form of bodily harm rooted in control over women’s sexuality and autonomy. Forced marriage and child marriage strip individuals—usually young girls—of their right to choose and often result in a lifetime of subjugation. Human trafficking for sexual exploitation or labor disproportionately targets women and girls, fueled by global inequality and systemic vulnerability. Increasingly, cyber harassment and online abuse—especially targeting gender-diverse individuals and women in the public eye—are modern extensions of long-standing forms of violence and silencing.

Economic and reproductive coercion further illustrate how GBV infiltrates daily life. Denying someone access to financial resources, sabotaging employment opportunities, or controlling reproductive decisions are all mechanisms of power that restrict autonomy and perpetuate dependency. These forms of violence are often invisible yet devastating, leaving long-lasting emotional and economic scars.

The impacts of GBV are profound and far-reaching. Survivors often experience long-term physical injuries, chronic health issues, and complex mental health challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Beyond the individual, GBV contributes to social isolation, economic disempowerment, and intergenerational trauma. Communities suffer when survivors are silenced or unsupported, and entire societies are held back when inequality is maintained through violence and fear.

Addressing GBV requires more than punishment of perpetrators; it calls for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Trauma-informed healthcare services must be available and accessible to all survivors, recognizing the emotional and psychological toll of violence. Legal systems need to be equipped not only to prosecute offenders but to protect survivors from re-traumatization and bias. Social services, including shelters, crisis lines, and long-term housing support, are vital lifelines. Just as important are educational initiatives that dismantle harmful gender norms and empower individuals to challenge inequality at its roots.

Community-based prevention efforts are also essential. These include engaging men and boys in conversations about consent, respect, and power, and elevating the voices of survivors to drive cultural change. Institutions—whether schools, workplaces, or religious organizations—must take responsibility for fostering safe, equitable environments.

Ultimately, eradicating gender-based violence means shifting the norms that permit it, disrupting the systems that uphold it, and affirming the dignity, autonomy, and humanity of every individual—regardless of gender. GBV is not a private issue or a women’s issue alone; it is a human rights crisis that demands collective, courageous, and sustained action.