12 Reasons why incidents of Gender-based Violence in Communities Continue

12 Reasons why incidents of Gender-based Violence in Communities Continue Gender-based violence (GBV) persists as a dark stain on societies worldwide, seeping into the very fabric of communities and leaving behind scars that are both physical and psychological. Despite extensive efforts to combat it, the unsettling reality is that incidents of GBV continue to occur with alarming frequency. This enduring epidemic demands a closer examination of the underlying factors that contribute to its perpetuation

The cycle of violence

When a relationship becomes violent, the first attack may seem like an isolated event. But when the violence continues, it usually follows this pattern:

• Tension builds: anger, arguing, blaming, verbal abuse
• Violence: hitting, slapping, kicking, choking, use of objects or weapons, sexual abuse, verbal threats and abuse
• Calm period: The man may deny the violence, say he is sorry, or promise it will never happen again.

Source: Hesperian.org

12 Reasons why incidents of Gender-based Violence in Communities Continue

Below are more than 12 reasons on why incidents of Gender-based violence in communities continue:

Physical factors:

• Lack of physical security owing to break-down of law and order, presence of armed forces/groups, collapse of law enforcement, justice institutions and family, social or community structures. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable when leaving their communities in search of work, food, water and/or firewood.
• Poverty, lack of education and livelihood opportunities, and inadequate access to shelter, food, water, fuel, and income generation can increase exposure to GBV, including forced prostitution or survival sex.

Social /cultural /political factors:

• Discriminatory social, cultural or religious laws, norms and practices that marginalize women and girls and fail to respect their rights.
• Collapse of family, social and communal structures and disrupted roles within the family often expose women and girls to risk and limit coping mechanisms and avenues for protection and redress.
• Lack of confidence and/or trust in social or public institutions, including law enforcement and justice institutions that discourage victims/survivors from seeking redress.

Judicial barriers:

• Lack of access to justice institutions and mechanisms, resulting in culture of impunity for violence and abuse (see Part V.10).
• Lack of adequate and affordable legal advice and representation.
• Lack of adequate victim/survivor and witness protection mechanisms

Individual barriers:

• Threat or fear of stigma, isolation and social exclusion.
• Exposure to further violence at the hands of the perpetrator, the community or the authorities, including arrest, detention, ill-treatment and punishment.
• Lack of information about human rights and on how and where to seek remedies.

Humanitarian programming obstacles:

• Failure to address or prioritize GBV in assessments, strategy development, planning and programming because of a lack of information or understanding about the extent or nature of GBV.
• Lack of gender-sensitive design of programmes, services and facilities, including inadequate registration practices and distribution of food and non-food items.
• Sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers, human rights and humanitarian workers.
• Other challenges including weak links with other assistance and protection programmes, lack of confidentiality, confusing reporting and referral mechanisms, and GBV committees that are isolated, under-resourced and weak, and lack support from the wider community.