Introduction to Gender‑Based Violence (GBV)
Key concepts, types, drivers, impacts, and preventive approaches
1. What Is Gender‑Based Violence?
| Element |
Description |
| Definition |
Any act of violence that is directed at an individual because of their gender or that results in a difference in power between genders. |
| Scope |
Encompasses physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. |
| Target |
Primarily women and girls, but also includes violence against men, boys, LGBTQ + people, and gender‑nonconforming individuals when the motive is gender‑related. |
| Legal framing |
Recognized in international instruments (e.g., UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, CEDAW, Istanbul Convention). |
2. Core Types of GBV
| Type |
Typical manifestations |
Example settings |
| Physical violence |
Hitting, kicking, choking, burning, use of weapons. |
Domestic spaces, workplaces, public streets. |
| Sexual violence |
Rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution, marital rape, sexual harassment. |
Home, schools, conflict zones, online platforms. |
| Psychological / emotional violence |
Threats, intimidation, humiliation, isolation, gaslighting. |
Intimate partner relationships, caregiving contexts. |
| Economic violence |
Controlling finances, denying access to work or education, forced labor. |
Household budgeting, employment discrimination. |
| Harmful traditional practices |
Female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, “honor” killings, forced sterilization. |
Community rituals, legal systems that tolerate the practice. |
| Cyber‑enabled GBV |
Revenge porn, doxxing, online stalking, non‑consensual sharing of intimate images. |
Social media, messaging apps. |
3. Root Causes & Risk Factors
| Category |
Drivers |
| Patriarchal norms |
Beliefs that men hold authority over women; gender role expectations. |
| Power imbalances |
Economic dependence, limited decision‑making power, legal discrimination. |
| Social & cultural practices |
Traditions that condone or normalize violence (e.g., “honor” concepts). |
| Conflict & instability |
War, displacement, and breakdown of law enforcement increase vulnerability. |
| Economic stress |
Poverty, unemployment, and lack of social safety nets can exacerbate tension. |
| Substance abuse |
Alcohol or drug misuse is a frequent aggravating factor. |
| Legal & institutional gaps |
Weak enforcement of laws, lack of survivor‑centered services. |
| Technology |
Anonymity and reach of digital platforms facilitate new forms of abuse. |
4. Consequences of GBV
4.1 Individual‑level impacts
- Physical health: Injuries, chronic pain, reproductive health problems, HIV/STIs.
- Mental health: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation.
- Economic: Loss of income, reduced productivity, increased health‑care costs.
- Social: Stigma, isolation, disrupted education or career trajectories.
4.2 Community & societal impacts
- Intergenerational trauma: Children who witness or experience GBV are at higher risk of perpetuating or suffering violence.
- Economic burden: Estimated global cost of violence against women exceeds 2 % of GDP in many countries.
- Public health strain: Higher demand for medical, legal, and psychosocial services.
- Undermined development: Hinders gender equality, education, and empowerment goals