What is gender based violence
If you go on social media or read various articles on the internet, you’ll likely see people trying to create change and make the world a better, safer place for women. Despite these efforts towards progress and empowerment, gender-based violence continues to persist in Sex Trafficking In Canada.
This issue transcends boundaries, cultures, and socioeconomic disparities, impacting individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. While there are ongoing initiatives aimed at recognizing and tackling this problem, there is still a considerable amount of work ahead.
In this blog series, we will delve into some of the common questions surrounding gender-based violence, looking into its nature and those affected by it. In the next blog, we will delve deeper into how it specifically impacts women and children.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Let’s start by identifying the difference between sex and gender.
Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define males, females and intersex persons.
Gender refers to the roles and behaviours that society associates with being female and male. This can vary from culture to culture and the way a society recognizes gender can change over time.
What is gender-based violence?
In short, gender-based violence or GBV for short is any form of abuse, assault or harassment that can be drawn back to the dominant societal norms surrounding gender. In Canada, it’s defined as violence that is inflicted upon a person or persons due to their gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender. It is connected to violence against women or VAW for short and disproportionately affects women and girls. It should be noted that this type of violence is a violation of human rights.
It’s All Around You…
Pause for a moment and reflect on what you encounter in your daily life. Gender-based violence (GBV) messaging is pervasive and driven by societal norms that are accepted within our culture. This encompasses:
- Sexist humour.
- Media content that employs jokes to belittle the LGBTQ2+ community.
- Impractical and unrealistic standards.
- Heteronormative expectations are imposed on children.
- Degrading depictions of all women.
- What Counts as Violence?
GBV is not limited to physical violence. It can include any word, action, or attempt to degrade, control, humiliate, intimidate, coerce, deprive, threaten, or harm another person.
Violence towards women can take many forms including:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Cyber abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Economic abuse
- Verbal or emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Social abuse
- Abuse facilitated
- Harassment and/or stalking
- Environmental abuse
- Spiritual or Religious Abuse
- Neglect
- Discrimination
Who is affected by gender-based violence?
Violence affects many people of all genders, ages, religions, cultures, ethnicities, geographic locations, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Populations more at risk of GBV include:
- Women,
- Young women and girls
- Indigenous Peoples
- LGBTQ2 and gender-diverse people
- Women in rural, and remote communities
- Women living with disabilities
- Women of visual minority
- Newcomers to the country
- Sex workers
Violence is the most prominent in the aforementioned groups because they are more at risk of experiencing violence due to various forms of oppression, such as racism, colonialism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism.
Where Does It Take Place?
Gender-based violence (GBV) can manifest in various settings, such as politics, communities, faith groups, media, workplaces, schools, and beyond. It can occur within romantic relationships, families, and the workplace, as well as between friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. Most often, it unfolds in private settings among individuals who are acquainted with each other.
In our society, we are frequently exposed to patriarchal and sexist cultural narratives that portray male dominance as natural and socially acceptable. This pervasive mindset often fosters the belief that men possess a right to exert control and cause harm to women, girls, and those who identify as gender-diverse.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog, where we will delve into the individuals affected by gender-based violence and explore its mental and physical repercussions on women and children.
