Eneh Oluchi Nora, Jadetimes Staff
E.O. Nora is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Crime News
Countless people suffer violence day in and day out because of their gender. It is not restricted to any one culture, country, or community; it is an endemic problem. GBV is among the oldest and most widespread human rights abuses, steeped in silence and stigma, which affects not only individuals but also families and societies as a whole. But what are we doing about it, and more importantly, how can we bring about a change that really matters?
Invisible Epidemic
Statistics tell a horrific story. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In areas of conflict, GBV increases manifold as it is used as a weapon of war to completely devastate communities. But it is not only women who suffer-men also face violence because of their gender. The silence on GBV is like an overwhelmingly strong, heavy shadow of oppression; survivors are often left to their own resources and never reach justice or support.
Gender-Based Violence Persists
At the root of GBV is inequality. Cultural norms that breed imbalances in power, inflexible gender roles, and toxic masculinity create a hotbed for violence. Harmful beliefs in the culture propagate views that maintain that violence is accepted and expected. Economic disparities, lack of education regarding healthy relationships, and scant mental health resources allow abuses to continue unabated and remain in the dark. While many countries have laws on the books that protect survivors, the actual enforcement of those laws falls woefully short.
Effects of Gender Based Violence
GBV does not only affect individual victims; it costs communities and whole economies. Medical treatments, law enforcement, and lost work productivity because of trauma which are just a few components of the multi-billion-dollar cost every year. Beyond the financial cost is the human cost: survivors suffer from physical and emotional scars that can last all their lives and impact the quality of relationships, job opportunities, and well-being. The more violent incident a child witnesses, the more capable he or she is of carrying the abuse or trauma cycle further into their lives.
Consequences of COVID-19: A Spike in Violence
The COVID-19 pandemic escalated the crisis of GBV. With lockdowns forcing people indoors, many found themselves trapped with their abusers. Helplines were overwhelmed, shelters and support services reached capacity, and many lost access to the very support networks that would have otherwise helped them cope. The pandemic highlighted in bold the urgent need for governments to include GBV in emergency response plans, as well as the need to consider the implications of how digital services could help or hinder survivors.
Fighting Back: Solutions in Action
Schools are slowly starting to teach young people respect, boundaries, and consent. Campaigns like the UN's HeForShe bring men and boys into the struggle as allies by pointing out that GBV is not a "woman's issue" but a human one. Applications like Circle of 6 have harnessed a way for people to quickly and privately alert people they trust when they may feel unsafe. Countries are creating confidential helplines and support networks that make it easier for survivors to come forward.
Also, economic independence is very often the saving grace for survivors. Job training programs, entrepreneurship support, and financial literacy provide the means whereby individuals can break free from economic dependence on abusers. Legal systems in many countries are increasingly catching up with the recognition of marital rape, harassment in the workplace, and digital stalking as forms of abuse. Training for law enforcement around GBV is increasingly conducted in ways that foster sensitivity and accountability.
Community Action
The end of GBV isn't about policies and programs; it's about community action, individual responsibility. Community and organizational support also turns words to actions, wherein community-based nonprofits help survivors with shelter, legal aid, and counseling. Their work relies on community support; it's either donation, volunteering, or at least just spreading awareness that can make a huge difference.
Our everyday speech is laced with "harmless" jokes and comments that create a climate for abuse. It is standing up against these remarks, even among those closest to oneself, that dismantles the culture of tolerance of GBV. If you think someone may be in danger, reach out. Be supportive, non-judgmental, and offer them to seek help whenever it feels safe for them. Advocacy matters. Signing petitions, supporting movements, and voting for policies that address GBV keep pressure on governments to make this a priority.
A Call to Action
Think of a world where no one has to live in fear because of their gender, where every human being can live with dignity and respect. It is a dream well within our grasp, but it calls for the participation of each and every one of us. We must be quite aware that this effort to end gender-based violence will not occur overnight, but with each step forward, we are closer to a safer, more just world. We, all together, can turn the tide and break the chains of silence around gender-based violence.
