GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

GBV is in most cases towards women,but also experienced by men. This should be kept in mind inorder to provide an open space for everyone to freely open up about their experiences.If the trauma is bottled in, individuals may suffer post traumatic stress disorder form trying to deal with it alone.

According to the World Health Organization multi-country study on violence against women, the lifetime and current (past 12 months) prevalence of physical or sexual intimate partner violence ranged from 15 to 71% and 4 to 54%, respectively, and the prevalence of emotional violence ranged from 20 to 75%.

GBV is in most cases towards women, but also experienced by men. This should be kept in mind inorder to provide an open space for everyone to freely open up about their experiences. If the trauma is bottled in, individuals may suffer post traumatic stress disorder form trying to deal with it alone.

Drug addiction. A quick escape from reality and memories. But it only lasts for a moment, leaving victims with the desire to indulge over and over again. Drugs like cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol are known for this purpose yet thry also pose many health risks like heart attacks and kidney failure.

Depression becomes a close ally to many victims. Research supports the idea that some depressed people have reduced serotonin transmission. Low levels of a serotonin byproduct have been linked to a higher risk for anxiety and suicide

Prostitution because people that experience violence like rape feel Like they have lost their worth and dignity so the idea of money for sex becomes less alarming. Its from this that many get HIV and early pregnancies.

Broken families because no family can stay happy and united when either one of the family members is subjecting the others to violence.

Victims of violence can also suffer health problems, deadly abortions, some drop out of school, others are left with physical disabilities, and others do not make it out alive.

So how can we solve it?

Funding women’s full participation in civil society. Women who are active in civil society can be highly effective in influencing global, regional and national treaties, agreements and laws and in exerting pressure to ensure their implementation.

Scaling up efforts that address unequal gender power. Examination of gender norms and their relationship to power inequities, violence and other harmful behaviors. Cultures engraved with male chauvinism leave men egostic and prone to anger when results don’t come out their way. Such cultural beliefs are the root cause of violence because they ripple into all aspects of life. Female empowerment is needed to remind women of their worth.

Addressing the needs of child survivors Sometimes children are victims, but most times they are witnesses to violence against their mothers. And this affects the way children perceive life. Majority end up being violent too. Mentorship programs are needed in this case.

Teach children to speak up. Reminding children of their rights and how to defend them when they are being threatened gives them the strength to speak up when they know something isn’t right. Many times, abusers threaten children and leave them paralysed to say a word. But children need to be reminded that they are not alone.

Let us know what you think in the comments.