Sexual Gender-Based Violence & HIV and AIDS Dr. Asia Abdulkadir Regional HIV and AIDS workshop of...

Sexual Gender-Based Violence Sexual Gender-Based Violence & &

HIV and AIDSHIV and AIDS

Dr. Asia Abdulkadir Dr. Asia Abdulkadir

Regional HIV and AIDS workshop of Regional HIV and AIDS workshop of Handicap InternationalHandicap International

Bujumbura, February 22, 2011Bujumbura, February 22, 2011

Objectives of theObjectives of the orientation trainingorientation training

To understand the differences between To understand the differences between ‘Sex’ and ‘gender’.‘Sex’ and ‘gender’.

To Explore social and cultural expectations To Explore social and cultural expectations for males and females, and illustrate the for males and females, and illustrate the difference between those based on sex and difference between those based on sex and those based on gender.those based on gender.

To identify the many forms of gender-based To identify the many forms of gender-based violence.violence.

Objectives of theObjectives of the orientation trainingorientation training

To understand the causes and consequences of To understand the causes and consequences of gender-based violence.gender-based violence.

To To highlight the linkage betweenhighlight the linkage between Gender and Gender and HIV/AIDS.HIV/AIDS.

To help participants understand the key To help participants understand the key indicators related to SGBV. indicators related to SGBV.

I I Introduction to the term GenderIntroduction to the term Gender

What do we know about the difference What do we know about the difference between “Gender” and “Sex”?between “Gender” and “Sex”?

What is “Gender” and What is “Sex”?What is “Gender” and What is “Sex”?

The Meaning of Gender and SexThe Meaning of Gender and Sex

Gender is the concept used to identify a Gender is the concept used to identify a human being as male, female. human being as male, female.

Usually it is used to highlight the social Usually it is used to highlight the social distinctions between men and women; for distinctions between men and women; for example the positions they occupy the example the positions they occupy the roles they play and the social status they roles they play and the social status they have are socially constructed and have are socially constructed and allocated. allocated.


Gender is distinguished from sex, which Gender is distinguished from sex, which is biologically determined. Because is biologically determined. Because gender is socially constructed, it is gender is socially constructed, it is affected by many factors.affected by many factors.

All of us are gendered – this means we All of us are gendered – this means we are socially conditioned to take on roles are socially conditioned to take on roles and responsibilities allocated as given to and responsibilities allocated as given to men and women.men and women.


The meaning and roles expectation can change The meaning and roles expectation can change over time – it can be both progressive and over time – it can be both progressive and regressive. regressive.

In war and conflict situations, women are In war and conflict situations, women are likely to experience more restrictive practices likely to experience more restrictive practices relating to gender expectations than during relating to gender expectations than during peace time (women have to be protected; men peace time (women have to be protected; men have to be the protectors). have to be the protectors).


Women often become head of families for a Women often become head of families for a long time during war periods and they might long time during war periods and they might have to expand their activities both within and have to expand their activities both within and outside of the home. This sometimes causes outside of the home. This sometimes causes family conflict after the war when their male family conflict after the war when their male family members return home and women are family members return home and women are again subjected to restrictions.again subjected to restrictions.


The term ‘gender’ is widely used in The term ‘gender’ is widely used in humanitarian aid programs for consideration humanitarian aid programs for consideration of existing inequalities between males and of existing inequalities between males and females on development issues and how these females on development issues and how these inequalities can be re-address. inequalities can be re-address.

2. 2. Exploring Sexual Gender-Based Violence Exploring Sexual Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Causes and Consequences(GBV): Causes and Consequences

What do we mean when we say “gender-based What do we mean when we say “gender-based violence”?violence”?

Definition of Definition of Gender-based violenceGender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella terminology for any harm that is perpetrated terminology for any harm that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that has a negative against a person’s will and that has a negative impact on the physical or psychological health, impact on the physical or psychological health, development, and identity of the person. development, and identity of the person.

GBV may be physical, sexual, psychological, GBV may be physical, sexual, psychological, economic violence or socio-cultural.economic violence or socio-cultural.

Types of Gender-based violenceTypes of Gender-based violence

Which types/forms of Gender-based violence Which types/forms of Gender-based violence do exist?do exist?

How many of them do we know?How many of them do we know?

Introduction of the different types of GBVIntroduction of the different types of GBV

GBV is categorised in four main types:GBV is categorised in four main types:

1. Physical violence: 1. Physical violence: physical assault; physical assault; murder, physical harassment in public; murder, physical harassment in public; attempted murder; denied access to attempted murder; denied access to medical treatment;, harmful traditional.medical treatment;, harmful traditional.


2. Sexual violence: 2. Sexual violence: Forced marriage; child Forced marriage; child marriage; forced engagement; forced marriage; forced engagement; forced prostitution; rape; forced sexual intercourse prostitution; rape; forced sexual intercourse with husband; incest; sexual assault and with husband; incest; sexual assault and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).


3. Psychological/emotional violence: 3. Psychological/emotional violence: denial of denial of food or basic needs; prevention of education, food or basic needs; prevention of education, refusal to communicate; preventing maternal refusal to communicate; preventing maternal contact with children; using children as contact with children; using children as threats; physical threats to other family threats; physical threats to other family members; verbal insulting; threats to kill; members; verbal insulting; threats to kill; intimidation; restrictions on movement outside intimidation; restrictions on movement outside the home i.e. to visit own family, talk to the home i.e. to visit own family, talk to neighbours, etc; forced to divorce/ separate; neighbours, etc; forced to divorce/ separate; abandoned to own parents.abandoned to own parents.


4. Other types of violence: 4. Other types of violence: Other traditional and Other traditional and cultural practices i.e. honour killings; cultural practices i.e. honour killings; kidnapping; attempted kidnapping, trafficking.kidnapping; attempted kidnapping, trafficking.

Gender-based violence regional overview Gender-based violence regional overview

According to REPORTS from WHO and UNDP :According to REPORTS from WHO and UNDP : SOMALIA SOMALIA The Practice of FGM is almost universal. It is The Practice of FGM is almost universal. It is

estimated that 95-98% of women have been estimated that 95-98% of women have been circumcised. Almost every girl in Somalia circumcised. Almost every girl in Somalia undergoes FGM.undergoes FGM.

It has been estimated that 86% of all adult It has been estimated that 86% of all adult Somali women are illiterate.Somali women are illiterate.

Gender-based violence regional overviewGender-based violence regional overview

Sexual and Gender-Based violence is not Sexual and Gender-Based violence is not uncommon, particularly in IDP Camps and uncommon, particularly in IDP Camps and most of the time against women and girls of most of the time against women and girls of rival clans and those of minority groups.rival clans and those of minority groups.


Ethiopia Ethiopia

FGM FGM Close to 90 percent of Ethiopian girls and Close to 90 percent of Ethiopian girls and

women are affected by FGM women are affected by FGM

Early Marriage Early Marriage 41% of girls between the age of 15-19 are 41% of girls between the age of 15-19 are

married. married.


Rape Rape A study from 2000 indicated that 2,263 A study from 2000 indicated that 2,263

women were raped in that year. The study women were raped in that year. The study indicated that these are only the reported cases indicated that these are only the reported cases and in all the cases perpetrators were close and in all the cases perpetrators were close family members. family members.


SGBV in the context of Conflict SGBV in the context of Conflict

In 2007/2008, 650 cases of SGBV related to the In 2007/2008, 650 cases of SGBV related to the post-election crisis in Kenya. post-election crisis in Kenya.

Since 1998 in Eastern Congo (DRC) alone over Since 1998 in Eastern Congo (DRC) alone over 41,000 women were raped as a weapon of war 41,000 women were raped as a weapon of war and propagating HIV to the enemy. and propagating HIV to the enemy.

ConsequencesConsequences of GBV/SGBV of GBV/SGBV

The consequences of GBV can be scattered into The consequences of GBV can be scattered into four main aspects:four main aspects:

1. Health 1. Health 2. Emotional, social and psychological 2. Emotional, social and psychological 3. Community and physical safety and security 3. Community and physical safety and security 4. Legal/justice system 4. Legal/justice system


Health:Health:

Individual consequences to the survivor:Individual consequences to the survivor: Depression, leading to chronic physical Depression, leading to chronic physical

complaints and illnesses. complaints and illnesses. FGM, resulting in shock, infection, excessive FGM, resulting in shock, infection, excessive

bleeding or death, and longer-term affects such bleeding or death, and longer-term affects such as emotional damage, including anger, fear, as emotional damage, including anger, fear, self-hate and confusion. self-hate and confusion.


Loss of desire for sex and painful sexual Loss of desire for sex and painful sexual intercourse. intercourse.

Difficult pregnancy and labour, chronic pain Difficult pregnancy and labour, chronic pain and infection, infertility.and infection, infertility.


Injury, disability, or death. STIs and Injury, disability, or death. STIs and HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS.

Injury to the reproductive system including Injury to the reproductive system including menstrual disorders, infections, miscarriages, menstrual disorders, infections, miscarriages, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions.unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions.

Impact on wider society:Impact on wider society: Strain on medical Strain on medical system.system.


Emotional/Psychological:Emotional/Psychological:

Individual consequences to the survivor:Individual consequences to the survivor: Emotional damage including anger, fear and Emotional damage including anger, fear and

self-hate. Shame, insecurity, loss of ability to self-hate. Shame, insecurity, loss of ability to function and carry out daily activities. function and carry out daily activities.

Feelings of depression and isolation. Feelings of depression and isolation.


Problems sleeping and eating. Problems sleeping and eating. Mental illness and thoughts of hopelessness Mental illness and thoughts of hopelessness

and suicide.and suicide. Judgments made about the survivor.Judgments made about the survivor. Blaming the survivor.Blaming the survivor. Treating the survivor as a social outcast.Treating the survivor as a social outcast.


Impact on wider society:Impact on wider society: Expensive, drain on community resources; Expensive, drain on community resources;

family, friends, schools, community leaders, family, friends, schools, community leaders, social service agencies, etc. social service agencies, etc.

Survivor unable to continue as contributing Survivor unable to continue as contributing member of society; unable to keep up with member of society; unable to keep up with child care, unable to earn an income. child care, unable to earn an income.


If perpetrators not arrested, this sends a strong If perpetrators not arrested, this sends a strong message that the behaviour is somehow message that the behaviour is somehow acceptable, leading to further incidents of acceptable, leading to further incidents of violence. violence.


Legal/Justice SystemLegal/Justice System Lack of access to legal system.Lack of access to legal system. Lack of knowledge of existing laws.Lack of knowledge of existing laws. Confusion regarding the most appropriate Confusion regarding the most appropriate

channels i.e. criminal, traditional etc. channels i.e. criminal, traditional etc. Survivors reluctant to report due to heavy Survivors reluctant to report due to heavy

stigma attached to sexual abuse.stigma attached to sexual abuse.


Strain on police/court resources already Strain on police/court resources already challenged and overburdened. challenged and overburdened.

Lack of sensitivity to the issues expressed by Lack of sensitivity to the issues expressed by judges and polices forces. judges and polices forces.

Costs incurred by the survivor.Costs incurred by the survivor.


Security, Physical Environment of the CommunitySecurity, Physical Environment of the Community

Survivor feels insecure, threatened, afraid, Survivor feels insecure, threatened, afraid, Climate of fear and insecurity impacting Climate of fear and insecurity impacting women’s freedom and perception of personal women’s freedom and perception of personal safety. safety.

Lack of female participation in the community Lack of female participation in the community life. Fear of going to school and work.life. Fear of going to school and work.

The case of an arranged marriage (case study)The case of an arranged marriage (case study)

Gender-based violence and the violation of Gender-based violence and the violation of women‘s human rightswomen‘s human rights

PowerPower Perpetrators can have “real” or “perceived” Perpetrators can have “real” or “perceived”

power. Some examples of different types of power. Some examples of different types of power and powerful people:power and powerful people:

Social – peer pressure, leaders, teachers, Social – peer pressure, leaders, teachers, parents, etc.parents, etc.

Economic – the perpetrator controls money or Economic – the perpetrator controls money or access to goods/services/money/favours; access to goods/services/money/favours; sometimes husband or father.sometimes husband or father.

Political – elected leaders, discriminatory Political – elected leaders, discriminatory laws.laws.


Physical – strength, use of weapons, Physical – strength, use of weapons, controlling access or security; soldiers, local controlling access or security; soldiers, local commanders, police, robbers, gangs, mafia, commanders, police, robbers, gangs, mafia, etc.etc.

Gender-based (social) – males are usually in a Gender-based (social) – males are usually in a more powerful position than females.more powerful position than females.

Age-related – often, in traditional societies Age-related – often, in traditional societies status/power is granted with age.status/power is granted with age.

Power is directly related to choice. The more Power is directly related to choice. The more power one has, there are more choices power one has, there are more choices available.available.


The less power one has, fewer choices are The less power one has, fewer choices are available.available.

Disempowered people have fewer choices and Disempowered people have fewer choices and are therefore more vulnerable to abuse.are therefore more vulnerable to abuse.

Gender-based violence involves the abuse of Gender-based violence involves the abuse of power. power.

Unequal power relationships are exploited or Unequal power relationships are exploited or abused.abused.


Violence - use of forceViolence - use of force

1. “1. “Force” might be physical, emotional, social Force” might be physical, emotional, social or economic in nature. It may also involve or economic in nature. It may also involve coercion or pressure. Force also includes coercion or pressure. Force also includes intimidation, threats, persecution, or other intimidation, threats, persecution, or other forms of psychological or social pressure. forms of psychological or social pressure.

Target of such violence is compelled to behave Target of such violence is compelled to behave

as expected or to do what is being requested, as expected or to do what is being requested, for fear of real and harmful consequences.for fear of real and harmful consequences.


2. Violence consists of the use of physical force 2. Violence consists of the use of physical force or other means of coercion such as threat, or other means of coercion such as threat, inducement or promise of a benefit to obtain inducement or promise of a benefit to obtain something from a weaker or more vulnerable something from a weaker or more vulnerable person.person.

3. Using violence involves forcing someone to 3. Using violence involves forcing someone to do something against her/his will - use of do something against her/his will - use of force.force.


ConsentConsent

1. Consent means saying “yes,” agreeing to 1. Consent means saying “yes,” agreeing to something. Informed consent means making something. Informed consent means making an informed choice freely and voluntarily by an informed choice freely and voluntarily by persons in an equal power relationship.persons in an equal power relationship.


2. Acts of gender-based violence occur without 2. Acts of gender-based violence occur without informed consent. Even if she says “yes,” this informed consent. Even if she says “yes,” this is not true consent because it was said under is not true consent because it was said under pressure - the perpetrator(s) used some kind of pressure - the perpetrator(s) used some kind of force to get her to say yes.force to get her to say yes.


3. Children (under age 18) in most countries are 3. Children (under age 18) in most countries are deemed unable to give informed consent for deemed unable to give informed consent for acts such as marriage, sexual relations, etc.acts such as marriage, sexual relations, etc.

Root causes and contributing factors of Root causes and contributing factors of

Gender-based violenceGender-based violence

What are the differences between root What are the differences between root causes and contributing factors of causes and contributing factors of

Gender-based violence? Gender-based violence?

Root causes and contributing factors of Gender-Root causes and contributing factors of Gender-based violencebased violence

Contributing factors are those that perpetuate Contributing factors are those that perpetuate GBV/SGBV or increase risk of GBV (family, GBV/SGBV or increase risk of GBV (family, community and state violence). community and state violence).

Contributing factors do not cause GBV Contributing factors do not cause GBV although they are associated with some acts of although they are associated with some acts of GBV. GBV.


Some examples:Some examples: Alcohol/drug abuse Alcohol/drug abuse is a contributing factor - is a contributing factor -

but not all drunks/drug addicts beat their wives but not all drunks/drug addicts beat their wives or rape women.or rape women.

War, displacement, War, displacement, and the presence of and the presence of armed combatants are all contributing factors, armed combatants are all contributing factors, but not all soldiers rape civilian women.but not all soldiers rape civilian women.


Poverty Poverty is a contributing factor, but not all is a contributing factor, but not all poor women are victimized by forced poor women are victimized by forced prostitution or sexual exploitation.prostitution or sexual exploitation.

Many contributing factors can be eliminated or Many contributing factors can be eliminated or significantly reduced through preventive significantly reduced through preventive activities.activities.

The Impact of GBV on children in the familyThe Impact of GBV on children in the family

It is important to understand the impact on It is important to understand the impact on children who witness violence against their children who witness violence against their mothers and women in their extended family, mothers and women in their extended family, and interventions need to be in place to stop and interventions need to be in place to stop the cycle of violence from becoming an inter-the cycle of violence from becoming an inter-generational problem.generational problem.


Children, who repeatedly witness violence Children, who repeatedly witness violence directed towards their mothers and other directed towards their mothers and other female members, learn and internalize female members, learn and internalize perceptions such as:perceptions such as:

Mothers/girl child are not deserving of respect.Mothers/girl child are not deserving of respect.

Those who love you also hit and abuse you.Those who love you also hit and abuse you.


It is socially, culturally, traditionally and It is socially, culturally, traditionally and morally acceptable to use violence against morally acceptable to use violence against female members of the family for control and female members of the family for control and compliance purposes.compliance purposes.

Violence is an acceptable conflict resolution Violence is an acceptable conflict resolution

strategy.strategy.


It is important to recognize that there are gender It is important to recognize that there are gender differences in the way children internalise the differences in the way children internalise the violence they witness. violence they witness.

Boys will learn behaviour in adult Boys will learn behaviour in adult relationships that the use of violence is relationships that the use of violence is acceptable.acceptable.

Girls as adults will tolerate the abuse because Girls as adults will tolerate the abuse because her mother and other female members did. her mother and other female members did.


Children respond in different ways to the Children respond in different ways to the violence experienced in their family violence experienced in their family environment. environment.

Possible emotional and behaviour effects could Possible emotional and behaviour effects could be:be:

Loss of self esteem and self confidence.Loss of self esteem and self confidence.

Insecurity, fear and vulnerability Insecurity, fear and vulnerability


Being unable to openly discuss frustrations Being unable to openly discuss frustrations and problems. and problems.

Poor anger management skills.Poor anger management skills.

Difficulty in trusting people. Difficulty in trusting people.


They may use violence to cope with their own They may use violence to cope with their own stresses.stresses.

They may suffer from depression.They may suffer from depression.

They may have school and other social They may have school and other social

difficulties i.e. poor concretion, unable to difficulties i.e. poor concretion, unable to learn.learn.


They may suffer from guilt, believing that they They may suffer from guilt, believing that they are the cause of the violence.are the cause of the violence.

Physical symptoms – bed wetting, acting out, Physical symptoms – bed wetting, acting out, eating disorders, self harm/mutilation.eating disorders, self harm/mutilation.

Children who have lived in abusive family Children who have lived in abusive family environments are often poor achievers in environments are often poor achievers in school and have related learning difficulties.school and have related learning difficulties.


Do you see similarities in the way how women Do you see similarities in the way how women and children react or respond to violence? and children react or respond to violence?

How can/would you support children in such How can/would you support children in such situations? situations?

Discussion points (Conclusion part I)Discussion points (Conclusion part I)

Although violence takes many different forms, Although violence takes many different forms, gender- inequality is the root cause.gender- inequality is the root cause.

Although culture is often used to justify the Although culture is often used to justify the use of violence towards women, the right to be use of violence towards women, the right to be free from abuse is a fundamental and free from abuse is a fundamental and universal.universal.

Violence/assault need not always to be Violence/assault need not always to be present. Threats and coercion are also forms of present. Threats and coercion are also forms of violence.violence.

ConclusionConclusion

Gender-based violence includes any physical, Gender-based violence includes any physical, mental or social abuse which is directed mental or social abuse which is directed against a person on the basis of gender or sex against a person on the basis of gender or sex and has its roots in gender inequality. and has its roots in gender inequality.

It is therefore important to integrate a gender It is therefore important to integrate a gender perspective to effectively prevent and respond perspective to effectively prevent and respond to it. to it.


This means looking at what causes gender-This means looking at what causes gender-based violence, analyzing what happens based violence, analyzing what happens to women and girls because of gender to women and girls because of gender discrimination, etc. discrimination, etc.


The impact of gender-based violence is far-The impact of gender-based violence is far-reaching both for the survivor, and for society reaching both for the survivor, and for society at large. at large.

Strategies to respond to the many forms of Strategies to respond to the many forms of gender-based violence must adopt a holistic gender-based violence must adopt a holistic approach and extend to all sectors.approach and extend to all sectors.

Systematically addressing gender inequality at Systematically addressing gender inequality at all levels is decisive.all levels is decisive.

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