Gender-based violence is a phenomenon that is growing worldwide.
In general terms, one would expect that gender-based violence would be rife in
developing countries. It is true. But, what is shocking is that it is also rife
in developed countries.
It is significant that as early as 1993 the UN adopted a
resolution that defines gender-based violence as “Any act of gender violence
that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological
harm to women or men, including threats to such acts, coercion or arbitrary
deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.
This is a mouthful and very technically of nature. But, the
World Health Organization was able to provide a more straight forwarded and
understandable definition of gender-based violence namely, it is violence
directed against a person on the basis of gender or sex. It includes acts that
inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts,
coercion and other deprivations of liberty.
The forms of gender-based violence can take on different
forms throughout the world and can also be cultural or religious based. The
most common forms are:
·
Domestic violence which is common in any country
on earth
·
Sexual violence, which may include sexual abuse
and rape.
·
Forced prostitution
·
Sexual exploitation of women but especially
young girls
·
Female genital mutilation
·
Honour killings
·
Human trafficking
·
Forced marriage
·
Widow cleansing
Here are some disturbing facts relating to gender-based
violence:
v
Men are guiltier of acts of gender-based
violence than women are but men are also victims thereof. It seems men
suffering from domestic violence are also growing, or maybe it was always
there. May be men are nowadays more likely to disclose such incidents than
previously
v
Women and girls are the most frequent victims of
violence within the confinements of families or between intimates
v
Women and girls are most at risk from men they
know. Recent years also brought forward in all its ugliness the phenomenon of
date-rape
v
Wife abuse and sexual coercion cross-cuts
cultural, economic and religious
barriers
v
Physical abuse in intimate relationships is
almost accompanied by severe psychological and verbal abuse and often sexual
abuse
v
Believe it or not, but almost universally, the
response of professionals and social institutions is to blame the victim
v
Gender-based abuse can have long-term mental and
physical health consequences
The physical and mental consequences of gender-based
violence are well known but few people realize that it also has far-reaching
socio-economic consequences. Participation in the labour force and economic
welfare is limited and hampered by violence. The reason is that it leads to
decreased production and increased absence from work. It is also significant
that many employers are ignorant towards the phenomenon of gender-based
violence and does not know how to deal with it. Subsequently many victims of
this type of violence lose their jobs due to this ignorance. A subsequent
development of a low self-esteem also weakens performance.
However, the indirect costs are also astronomical. The
economic cost of gender-based violence totals about $385 million per year in
Colombia, Canada. This figure is based on government expenditures only, not
counting costs of health, care, child services, housing, legal costs, and court
costs.
Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to the
problem. It must also be taken into account that any economic recession may
aggravate the situation and lead to an escalation of violence, especially
domestic violence and forced prostitution.
However, it can be addressed. We do not need violence in our
lives because it does not solve any problems.
Let us love one another enough to protect each other.
Daniel
