What is Gender-Based Violence? Answering Your Questions
One in three.
That’s how many women and girls will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetimes.
Every child has the right to grow up free from harm, but gender-based violence occurs in every country in the world – including Canada – across all economic, cultural, and social groups.
For this year’s 16 Days of Activism, which starts on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and runs through to December 10 (Human Rights Day), we’re answering your questions about gender-based violence, and what it means for children around the world.
What is gender-based violence?
There is no one definition for gender-based violence (GBV) but one of the most widely used ones comes from the United Nations, which describes it as:
“… Harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power, and harmful norms.”
The United Nations also adds that GBV “undermine[s] the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims.”
The acronym SGBV is also commonly used, which stands for sexual and gender-based violence.
What does gender-based violence look like?
GBV can take on many forms, including sexual violence, child marriage, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation or cutting, intimate partner violence (abuse or violence that occurs in a romantic relationship), trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.
Although GBV disproportionately affects women and girls, boys are also victims of trafficking and gender-based sexual violence and exploitation. However, due to stigmatization, rates of GBV against boys continue to be vastly underreported.
Is gender-based violence only physical acts?
Although physical acts of violence are often what comes to mind first when someone hears a phrase like gender-based violence, GBV can take on many different forms, including:
- Verbal violence, such as gendered slurs or hate speech;
- Psychological or mental violence, such as isolation or exclusion from group activities, or intimidation;
- Socio-economic violence, such as women not being allowed to control their finances or have a separate income from their husbands; and
- Sexual harassment, which can take both physical and verbal forms, such as unwanted touching or lewd comments and suggestions.
Do gender norms and roles contribute to gender-based violence?
Harmful gender roles can absolutely play into GBV, and some experts even view them as a more passive type of GBV.
Gender roles are defined as behaviors, attitudes and actions that society (or communities) feels are appropriate or inappropriate for a man or woman, boy or girl, according to cultural norms and traditions.
An example of a harmful gender role is when girls are viewed as natural caregivers, leading to them being kept at home to care for younger siblings and help around the house, and causing them to miss out on their education. This can also lead to an increase in early pregnancies and child marriage, as a girl who has not been educated is seen as needing a man to provide for her.
What does Save the Children do to address gender-based violence in our work?
At Save the Children, we put gender equality at the heart of everything we do.
We are dedicated to addressing gender-based violence, harmful gender norms and ensuring that each child is protected and can grow up healthy, educated and safe. From early childhood, we reach hundreds of millions of children each year through programs promoting gender equality and empowerment to create the gender-equal future all girls and boys deserve.
Over the past two decades, we have helped achieve a 25% global decline in child marriage and empowered 11 million girls to stay in school or pursue independence through work; allowing them to decide for themselves when they are ready for marriage and motherhood.
Our vision is a world in which all people – girls, boys, women and men – have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities, regardless of gender norms, identities or expressions. A world where everyone is equally recognized, respected and valued.