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Gender Based Violence

Gender-based violence refers to violence against individuals based on their biological sex or gender identity, usually occurring against women or transgender persons. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. GBV is a global issue that affects people regardless of factors like economic status or religion. While GBV is prevalent worldwide, it is often underreported due to stigma, lack of support systems, and fear of further violence. To address GBV in Pakistan, more legislation is needed along with education, awareness campaigns, and accessible support for survivors.

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Syed Huzayfah Faisal
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645 views12 pages

Gender Based Violence

Gender-based violence refers to violence against individuals based on their biological sex or gender identity, usually occurring against women or transgender persons. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. GBV is a global issue that affects people regardless of factors like economic status or religion. While GBV is prevalent worldwide, it is often underreported due to stigma, lack of support systems, and fear of further violence. To address GBV in Pakistan, more legislation is needed along with education, awareness campaigns, and accessible support for survivors.

Uploaded by

Syed Huzayfah Faisal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gender Based Violence

Definition
• Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence against an
individual based on his or her biological sex OR gender
identity. It usually occurs against women.
• Violence against transgender persons is also included
in GBV because it is based on their gender
Types of gender based violence
• Violence can include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and
psychological abuse, and threats
• Common forms are sexual violence (such as rape, sexual harassment)
and domestic violence
• Depriving women and girls of liberty and basic rights, such as
education and economic freedom, is also included in GBV
• Forced marriage and early marriage are also included
• Can also lead to murder/death from physical trauma or honor killing
Why is this important?
• According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 women worldwide have
experienced some form of gender based violence
• This is an issue faced by people all over the world
• GBV can affect anybody, regardless of their economic status, religion,
geographic location or race
• This can have serious mental, physical, economic, and social
consequences for the survivor
Underreporting
• Even though gender-based violence is so prevalent, it is not reported
very often for many reasons, such as:
• Stigma: survivors of gender based violence may be isolated from society or
blamed for being targets
• Lack of access to resources or support systems
• Physical or psychological trauma which prevents survivors from approaching
authorities
• Threat of further violence from the perpetrator
Why does gender-based violence occur?
• Gender based violence mainly occurs because of
gender inequality
• This leaves women, girls, and gender minorities with
little power
• Their voices are therefore not heard and their rights
can be taken away more easily
Gender-based violence in Pakistan
• Pakistan is ranked as the sixth most dangerous country for women
(Reuters)
• One third of all women in Punjab, aged 15-64, have faced violence
• Women with disabilities face 10% more violence
• 40 percent of married women have faced violence from their spouse
• During September 2017-2018, 151 cases of gang rape in Punjab only
• There is difficulty accessing data on gender based violence because of
a lack of reporting and no federal authority
Some Issues
• There is no federal law to prohibit domestic violence
• Police and judges refuse to take action, saying that these are private
matters. Legal processes can take several months or years.
• Rape survivors are stigmatized or blamed
• Perpetrators are often close relatives, which prevents survivors from
coming forward
• Survivors can often be young children who do not know what to do
• Medical personnel do not have the equipment or do not collect
evidence on time
• Often Qisas and Diyat are used to negotiate with the perpetrator
Recent events from the Dawn newspaper
• 16 April: 2 year old girl raped by neighbour in Islamabad
• 15 April: Student raped by van driver, accomplice
• 15 April: Transgender person stabbed to death
• 15 April: Assistant sub-inspector booked for raping woman
• 14 April: Man held for shaving wife’s head, physical abuse
• 11 April: Man stabs girl for refusing marriage proposal
• 11 April: Woman set ablaze by in-laws dies in hospital
Some positive signs
• Record number of women in the National Assembly
• Higher women voter turnout, compared to previous elections
• Transgender Persons Act passed in 2018
• More awareness and discussion of women’s rights and issues thanks
to activists
What can be done?
• Educate children on mutual respect between genders
• Spread awareness about the issue by educating both men and
women
• Introduce more legislation to criminalize gender based violence
• Provide immediate and accessible medical, legal and psychological
support for survivors
Discussion
• What are some barriers people face in Pakistan because of their
gender?
• What else can be done to prevent gender based violence?
• If gender based violence occurs, how should the situation be
handled?
• How can men and boys help address the issue?

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