Gender-based violence (GBV) is the most extreme expression of unequal gender relations in society. It is first and foremost a violation of human rights, and a global health issue that cuts across boundaries of economic wealth, culture, religion, age, and sexual orientation. While GBV is disproportionally affecting women and girls, it also affects men and boys. Wherever GBV occurs; it is a major obstacle for the achievement of gender justice, posing a serious threat to democratic development and public health, and is a critical barrier to achieving sustainable development, economic growth and peace. If women, girls, men and boys are not safe, they cannot be full citizens nor fully participate in the development of their own society.
Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. This is reflected in international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and emphasised in the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 1995. GBV is preventable. In order to decrease and eventually end GBV a paradigm shift is needed. This entails a focus on the root causes of violence founded in gender-based power inequalities and gender-based discrimination.
Ending gender-based violence and ensuring women’s security is a priority for the government, NGOS and some CBOs/FBOs.
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