What is gender-based violence & what are its impacts?
Every child has the right to live free from violence. Wherever they may be. But girls and young women, in particular, find this right repeatedly violated. Their age and gender mean they are more likely to experience certain forms of violence. Violence covers sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child marriage.
This violence can seriously affect physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing for a long time. And it can limit choices in life and stop girls from reaching their full potential. Many girls and young women who took part in our survey for the State of Girls Rights Report wanted to take part in sport, hobbies, nature, and culture more regularly. However, around one in three (33%) would need to feel safer to do so. The threat of violence and harassment serves to make girls and young women’s horizons smaller and keep them from engaging in the things that give them passion and a reason to enjoy life.
Violence against girls and young women is deeply rooted in a system of unequal power between women and men. We cannot achieve an equal world when half of the world’s population lives under the threat of violence. That’s why we’re working with communities to challenge and stop behaviours that lead to it.
What is gender-based violence (GBV)?
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a violation of human rights. It means any violent act aimed at someone because of their gender identity or how others see their gender. It includes harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual exploitation and abuse, domestic abuse, early marriage, forced pregnancy, and trafficking.
Types of gender-based violence
There are a number of types of gender-based violence. Here, we explore four types.
1. Domestic violence and abuse
Domestic violence and abuse refers to any behaviour in an intimate relationship—married, unmarried, or cohabiting—that causes harm to the victim. This harm can be sexual, physical, or psychological. Both men, women and children can experience domestic abuse. However, it is more prevalent among women.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 3 women have faced sexual or physical abuse from their partner. In the UK, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime[1]. The impact of domestic abuse between parents or adults in a household can also mean that children can be classed as victims of abuse in their own regard.
2. Sexual violence
Sexual violence can be committed by anyone, in any setting, including online. There does not need to be a pre-existing relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Sexual violence is any sexual act, the attempt to commit a sexual act, or any act, using coercion, that is directed against a person’s sexuality.
As they grow up, girls are at a greater risk of sexual violence and an estimated 1 in 10 have been subjected to it. Globally, an estimated 1 in 3 women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime[2]. In the UK, 41% of girls aged 14 to 17 have faced sexual violence from their intimate partner, says the charity Refuge[3].
3. Stalking and harassment
Stalking and harassment happen when someone keeps acting in ways that make you feel scared, anxious, distressed, or threatened. In the UK, this unwanted behaviour only needs to happen two times for it to be deemed as a potential crime.
Stalking and harassment are similar but not the same. Harassment can include sending hurtful or sexual messages, images or comments online, by text or in person.
Stalking is a form of harassment where someone ‘stalks’ a person they have an obsession with them. This can include following the person, watching them or turning up uninvited to places such as their home or work.
Young girls are also victims of harassment. In the State of Girls Rights Report, girls as young as 12 reported fearing and feeling unable to stop unwanted attention from men in their daily lives. Girls desperately want it to stop.
4. Femicide
Femicide is the intentional killing of a girl or woman because of their gender. Usually the perpetrator is a man and is known to the victim. For example, their intimate partner or a family member. Femicide is the most extreme type of gender-based violence. According to the Femicide Census, in the UK a woman is killed by a man every three days on average[4].
Who is most vulnerable to gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence affects people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. But there are certain groups that are more vulnerable. These include young women and girls from poor, rural, or native communities. It also includes those with disabilities, those who are (or are seen as) LGBTIQ+, and activists who speak out on gender inequality and social, cultural, and political issues. Black women and women who identified with mixed/ multiple ethnicities are statistically more likely to have experienced partner abuse in the last 12 months (10.1%) than any other ethnic group[5].
Where does gender-based violence happen?
Gender-based violence can happen anywhere – in public or in private. It can be verbal, sexual, physical, or psychological abuse. This includes hate speech online and sexual assault.
For children, especially girls and young women, violence often occurs at home and in their communities. This includes places like schools and public transport.
Gender-based violence in emergencies
Girls, especially teenage girls, face specific dangers in a crisis. They are at increased risk of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, unwanted pregnancy, and child, early and forced marriage. When families struggle, they are often forced into unimaginable choices to survive.
Girls may face early marriage to help their families. Girls living in conflict are are 20% more likely to be married before 18 than girls not living in conflict[6].
Crises can have an immense impact on girls’ futures. If their education is disrupted or they are forced to miss or drop out of school, they are less likely to ever return to the classroom.
What is the scale of the problem?
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes gender-based violence as a global public health problem of epidemic proportions and a fundamental violation of human rights.
Nearly 1 in 3 women aged 15 and older worldwide have faced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, a non-partner, or both at least once in their lives[7].
It’s important to note that many incidents or sexual violence will go unreported so it’s difficult to know the true scale of the problem.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Statistics
Worldwide, 27% of women aged 15 to 49 years report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner[8].
Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18[9]. Worldwide, 15 million girls aged 15 to 19 have faced forced sex. Also, at least 200 million girls and women have experienced some form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
99.7% of respondents to Victim Focus UK’s sample study of over 22,400 women have been repeatedly subjected “to violence including assaults, harassment, and rape.”[10]
Causes of gender-based violence
The main cause of gender-based violence is the lack of equality between men and women. This issue is supported by cultural beliefs, societal norms, and attitudes that disadvantage women and girls.
When there are high unemployment rates and a lack of support through social services, the risk of violence against young people, girls and women increases. There are three contexts that can increase the risk of gender-based violence.
Poverty
Women and girls in poverty face a higher risk of gender-based violence. This includes issues like child, early, and forced marriage. The most pressing immediate cause of child marriage is poverty. Economic instability, exacerbated often by conflict and climate change, was a factor everywhere. Children born from child and early marriages are less likely to be in education and more likely to live in poverty.
Breakdown of services
Gender-based violence can occur at any point in a person’s life, in any setting. But in times of discourse or instability, threats increase significantly.
Humanitarian emergencies, such as conflict, war and natural disasters can lead to a breakdown of services that protect women and girls from gender-based violence. And in crisis settings, rates of intimate partner violence often increases.
In times of crisis, girls and women may be forced to trade sex for food, money and other essentials necessary to survive. Some girls and young women may be forced to marry early in order to protect or care for their families.
Conflict and war
During conflict and war, systems that protect women and girls can weaken or fail. This includes family, community, and state structures. Women and girls are more vulnerable to violence. They often face higher levels of sexual violence, which can be used as a tactic in war, but is a breach of international humanitarian law. This includes torture and forced marriage.
Post-conflict, gender-based violence can spike due to the general breakdown of the rule of law as well as easier access to weapons.
Effects of gender-based violence
Survivors of gender-based violence can be affected in many ways and often these effects are long-lasting. They can range from emotional trauma and distress to physical harm and even death.
Unwanted pregnancies, complications during pregnancy and birth and STIs can arise as a result of rape or sexual assault.
Missing school or work due to gender-based violence can harm the economic future of affected girls and women.
Effects of gender-based violence on children
Children who face or see gender-based violence can have deep and lasting impacts. These could include mental health issues, substance abuse issues and difficulties in forming relationships.
How gender-based violence impacts mental health
The trauma from being a victim of gender-based violence has a significant impact on a person’s mental health. They could experience anxiety, depression, have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.
Social impact of gender-based violence
The impact of gender-based violence on society is vast. Girls can stop going to school and getting an education, leading to a lack of job opportunities. Women who experience gender-based violence at work may leave their jobs, therefore impacting their livelihoods.
Seeking services, for example for an unwanted pregnancy or an STI, can lead to social stigma and being shunned in some contexts. Reporting gender-based violence may lead to further threats of violence as well as social stigma.
Solutions to tackle gender-based violence
There are many ways to tackle gender-based violence, including putting girls and young women at the centre of these efforts. It is important to focus on tackling the root causes of gender-based violence too, including gender inequality, harmful gender norms, poverty and broader societal structures that prevent victims from reporting and perpetrators from being charged.
Women and girls should be empowered economically, included in decision-making and supported to pursue a better future.
Programs addressing gender-based violence should take a holistic approach. They need to engage children, young people, families, communities, leaders, service providers, and both local and national systems. This way, they can effectively prevent and reduce violence using a gender-transformative method.
Gender-based violence FAQs
How does culture influence gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence is deeply rooted in a system of unequal power relations between women and men. It is perpetuated by social norms, attitudes, and practices that discriminate against and marginalise girls and women.
In some societies, culture justifies gender violence and inequality. It does this by promoting traditional beliefs about how women and girls should be treated. These are patriarchal systems that seek to control the lives and sexuality of girls and women, that give lower status to girls and women and are used to justify violence against them.
How can the law protect and support victims of gender-based violence?
In the UK, the law protects and supports victims of gender-based violence through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. In 2023, following the #CrimeNotCompliment campaign by Plan international UK, the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 was introduced to support existing laws and ensure safety from harassment in public spaces. 6 In September 2024 it introduced new criminal offenses, such as coercive control, and strengthened protection orders. It also provides financial and other support for victims through the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.
Worldwide, 162 countries have laws against domestic violence and abuse. Also, 147 have laws on sexual harassment at work. However, this does not mean these laws are always compliant with international recommendations or are implemented and enforced.
What is the Pyramid of Violence?
The Pyramid of Violence is a model that shows how certain beliefs and behaviour can escalate into violence.
The pyramid's base stands for beliefs and attitudes, like prejudice and sexism. These create a foundation for discrimination and violence. The middle level represents behaviours that are harmful and less socially accepted. These can include verbal expressions of racism or physical acts of violence. The top of the pyramid represents extreme forms of violence, such as hate crimes, rape or femicide.
It is a useful tool for showing how discrimination and violence are interconnected. It also helps to show why we need to challenge basic attitudes and beliefs. This can prevent harmful behaviours.
References
[1] The World Health Organisation - Devastatingly pervasive: 1 in 3 women globally experience violence
[2] The World Health Organisation - Violence against women
[3] Refuge - Facts and Statistics
[4] Femicide Census - Data Matters – Every Woman Matters
[6] Save the Children - Girls living in conflict face 20% higher risk of child marriage
[7] The World Health Organisation - Violence against women
[8] The World Health Organisation - Violence against women
[9] UNFPA - The Cost of Ending Child Marriage
Banner image - Flora*, 20, was forced into a coercive relationship in Peru. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.