By Esraa Abdelmoneim Alraih
Introduction
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and critical issue worldwide, affecting millions of individuals, primarily women and girls. It encompasses a range of harmful behaviors directed at individuals based on their gender, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. GBV not only violates fundamental human rights but also impedes social and economic development, perpetuating cycles of violence and inequality.
Definition
Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately. Violence against women is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in:
- physical harm,
- sexual harm,
- psychological,
- or economic harm,
- or suffering to women.
It can include violence against women, domestic violence against women, men or children living in the same domestic unit. Although women and girls are the main victims of GBV, it also causes severe harm to families and communities.
Forms of gender-based violence
Gender-based violence can take various forms:
- Physical: it results in injuries, distress and health problems, and may even lead to death in certain cases. Typical forms of physical violence are beating, strangling, pushing, and the use of weapons. In the EU, 31 % of women have experienced one or more acts of physical violence since the age of 15.
- Sexual: it includes unconsented sexual acts, attempts to obtain a sexual act, acts to traffic, or acts otherwise directed against a person’s sexuality without the person’s consent. It’s estimated that one in 20 women (5 %) has been raped in EU countries since the age of 15.
- Psychological: includes psychologically abusive behaviors, such as controlling, coercion, economic violence and blackmail. 43% of women in the EU have experienced some form of psychological violence by an intimate partner.
Examples of gender-based violence
- Domestic violence includes all acts of physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence that occur within the family, domestic unit, or between intimate partners. These can be former or current spouses also when they don’t share the same residence. 22 % of all women who have (had) a partner have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner since the age of 15.
- Sex-based harassment includes unwelcome verbal, physical or other non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person. Between 45% to 55% of women in the EU have experienced sexual harassment since the age of 15.
GBV in Sudan
In Sudan, GBV is a significant issue exacerbated by prolonged conflict, political instability, and cultural practices. Women and girls in Sudan face multiple forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and harmful traditional practices like FGM and child marriage.
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence:
Conflict zones in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, have seen widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Women and girls are often targeted, leading to severe physical and psychological consequences. Reports from Human Rights Watch highlight that sexual violence in conflict areas is pervasive and often goes unpunished .
Domestic Violence and Legal Challenges:
Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in Sudan, with limited legal protections for survivors. Social stigma and cultural norms often prevent women from seeking justice and support. Amnesty International reports that the legal system in Sudan fails to provide adequate protection for women facing domestic violence, and societal attitudes further discourage reporting.
Harmful Traditional Practices:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is prevalent in Sudan, with a high percentage of women and girls undergoing the practice. Despite efforts to eradicate it, FGM remains deeply entrenched in cultural and social norms.
References
https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental rights/gender-equality/gender-based-violence/what-gender-based-violence_en World Health
Organization (WHO). “Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018.” WHO, 2021.
United Nations. “UN Women: Ending Violence against Women.” UN Women, 2021. International Labour Organization (ILO). “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage.” ILO, 2017.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). “Female genital mutilation (FGM) frequently asked questions.” UNFPA, 2021.
Human Rights Watch. “Sudan: Massive Atrocities in Darfur.” Human Rights Watch, 2019.
