Globally in the last year, there has been a rise in gender-based violence connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, isolation, social and economic effects, and other restrictions have increased women’s exposure to abusive partners and made it difficult for abuse victims to report abuse and seek help. Gender-based violence is rooted in dangerous patriarchy and cultural norms. These norms can fuel an attitude that enforces toxic masculinities and may lead to violence. However, gender-based violence is against women and girls and increasingly affects men and boys, especially in areas where conflicts exist.
According to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) analysis from 2000-2018 across 161 countries and regions, 1 in 3 or 30% of women have experienced either physical and or/sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetimes. The report also included data from over a quarter of women aged 15 – 49 who reported being subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner before 15, at least once in their lifetime. Along with globally, 38% of murders committed against women are by intimate partners.
Regardless of race, ethnicity, educational attainment, geographic territory, exposure to childhood violence is the number one predictor for either being a victim or perpetrator of violence. This includes childhood abuse (maltreatment) and witnessing family violence (fights in the home, mother being abuse). This violence is further exacerbated by alcohol consumption, community norms, antisocial personality disorder, women’s unemployment and underemployment, and gender inequality.
What can be done to tackle the challenges of gender-based violence?
First, needed are accurate aggregated data on the percentage of gender-based violence (IPV and sexual assaults) in the communities and the economic and health outcomes. Such data is lacking in the Caribbean region. The value of having such information is critical for devolving programs to ascertain the cause that leads to gender-based violence. The evidence can then be used for informed programming. Even without such evidence-based data, plans/policies can be implemented, such as educational programs that focus on healthy relationships to combat the cycle of gender-based violence. These programs should be done at the community level with men and boys as active participants. Parenting classes that teach specific skills and family relationship programs are critical to reducing the incidents of abuse.
Additionally, there should be programs and treatments geared to at-risk children, adolescents, young adults, and the family. This includes means to increase family finances, a pre-school engagement that involves the family, and ways to tackle teen-dating violence (TDV). Policies that incorporate treatment and support for survivors of IPV and sexual assault must be implemented.
Concerted efforts in the prevention of gender-based violence are required. Such entails leadership to enact policies implemented at the community and societal levels to encourage the elimination of violence. Violence will not stop by itself but can with comprehensive policies.
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