The term ‘gender-based violence’ (GBV) is often used interchangeably with the term ‘violence against women’ (VAW). Hence this blog focusses principally on women’s experiences of gender-based violence. By most commonly used definition, GBV is any sort of violence that is directed against an individual or a group of individuals based on their gender. This also comprises of violence against individuals who do not conform to dominant gender roles such as the LGBTI community. GBV action is a phenomenon that is widely used to address violence against women – in the home, in the workplace and in public spaces.
As identified under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, GBV is a key issue affecting women’s empowerment and it is significant of global attention. By connecting GBV to its roots in gender discrimination and inequality, few more things can be pointed as routes leading to GBV. Firstly, lack of community and/or state protections towards victims is the foundation to GBV and a reason for its increase. Violence cases, specifically against women, are not taken seriously, but regarded as a waste of state resources. GBV is also a result of changing norms around culture and gender. Communities across South Africa are characterized by these conditions, making South Africa a country where GBV thrives and is difficult to stop.
It is vital to promote the rights of all individuals and reduce gender-based violence while mitigating its harmful effects on individuals and communities. Unless women, girls, men, and boys fully enjoy their human rights and are free from violence, progress toward development will fall short. By promoting resilience through strengthening national and community-based systems that prevent and reduce the impact of GBV, and by enabling survivors and those vulnerable to GBV to access services and support, GBV can be combatted.
22 August 2017
As identified under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, GBV is a key issue affecting women’s empowerment and it is significant of global attention. By connecting GBV to its roots in gender discrimination and inequality, few more things can be pointed as routes leading to GBV. Firstly, lack of community and/or state protections towards victims is the foundation to GBV and a reason for its increase. Violence cases, specifically against women, are not taken seriously, but regarded as a waste of state resources. GBV is also a result of changing norms around culture and gender. Communities across South Africa are characterized by these conditions, making South Africa a country where GBV thrives and is difficult to stop.
It is vital to promote the rights of all individuals and reduce gender-based violence while mitigating its harmful effects on individuals and communities. Unless women, girls, men, and boys fully enjoy their human rights and are free from violence, progress toward development will fall short. By promoting resilience through strengthening national and community-based systems that prevent and reduce the impact of GBV, and by enabling survivors and those vulnerable to GBV to access services and support, GBV can be combatted.
22 August 2017
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