Gender-Based Violence (Violence Against Girls)

Definitions

Violence, any act that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering.

Gender-based violence, any act of violence resulting in physical, sexual and psychological harm or suffering, inflicted on the basis of one's gender. This could happen to anyone, boy or girl, man or woman.

Violence Against Girls, any act that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, to girls.

Exercise 1, Scenarios: is it violence?

1. Paul likes Sarah. He uses gifts to have sex with Sarah. Paul doesn't use any physical force. Is it violence?

2. Boys in your school stand at the classroom door and boo at girls as they walk by. Is it violence?

3. James used to tease girls in the taxis. Whenever girls smiled or laughed, he tried to touch their body. James thought that girls like these things. If he teases a girl and she smiles, is it violence?

4. A teacher in school is chasing the head girl and says he wants to marry her. Is it violence?

Q: Do you believe that a woman should accept violence for the sake of her family?

Forms of violence and consequences

Physical: hitting, beating, punching, slapping, kicking, biting; cutting with sharp instruments; burning; hair pulling. Consequences: death, injuries, health complications, chronic pain, permanent disability.

Sexual: rape, defilement, incest, attempted rape/defilement, human trafficking for sex work, forcing someone to watch sexual acts, sexual harassment (threats, bad touches). Consequences: STIs (including HIV/AIDS), unplanned pregnancy, school dropout, trauma.

Emotional/psychological: denial of food, prolonged silence, bullying, threats, blaming you, isolation. Consequences: digestive problems from bad eating habits, low self-esteem.

Economic: denial of basic scholastic materials, destruction of property, refusal to provide for needs. Consequences: poverty, poor performance, theft.

Traditional harmful practices: forced early marriages, female genital mutilation, widow inheritance, denial of inheritance rights, denial of eating certain foods.

Violence takes place EVERYWHERE, home, school, communities, streets, church, work, gardens, refugee camps.

Myths about gender-based violence

A myth is a widely held but false belief. Examples:

• What happens behind closed doors remains there and should not be discussed.

• Violence is not bad, it's a sign of love.

• Some girls like being beaten or hit.

• It is better to have a violent father than no father at all.

• Girls provoke sexual violence by the way that they dress.

• Boys cannot control their sexual urge and therefore should not be held responsible for rape and sexual harassment.

Root causes and contributing factors

Root causes: society's attitudes and practices of gender discrimination; societal attitude of disrespect or disregard for women; lack of belief in human rights for all; lack of knowledge about women and girls' rights; abuse of power.

Contributing factors: alcohol and substance abuse; socialisation (teaching boys to treat women as second class); growing up in a cycle of violence; cultural beliefs; religion; conflicts/wars; poverty and unemployment.

Violence against women is about power and control.

Forms of VAG in schools and communities

Transactional sex (money, marks, food). Bullying and teasing. Discrimination between boys and girls. Rape/defilement. Early marriages. Battering. Threats, insults, intimidation. Sexual harassment.

Prevention & response

Girls should: understand what VAG is and that it is unacceptable; don't ignore the warning signs (direct and indirect threats); seek help before and when it happens; join a group speaking out against violence; support girls experiencing violence; REPORT all cases of violence.

Responding to VAW: time is critical, report as soon as possible to authorities or a trusted adult; support, do not blame or stigmatise; it is normal to feel confused, dejected and helpless, don't blame yourself.