INTRODUCTION TO
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
ADD PICTURE
OBJECTIVE
1.
2.
Overall purpose of the workshop is to provide
foundational knowledge and skills needed to
help design and implement survivor-centered
GBV services.
Important: This workshop is yours and your
objective and expectations matter.
Objectives
By the end of the session, trainees will be able to:
 Explain the terms and concepts related to gender and
gender based violence: sex, gender, gender
relations/roles, sexual gender based violence – power,
violence, use of force, informed consent, survivor/victim,
and perpetrator.
 Define gender based violence
 Explain the causes of Gender Based Violence
 List types of Gender Based Violence
 Discuss the consequences of Gender Based Violence
Terms and Concepts

Gender:
 Gender
is broadly defined as the socially ascribed
characteristics of men and women in society.

Sex, on the other hand, refers to the physiological
and biologically determined characteristics of men
and women.
Differences between sex and gender
Sex
Gender

Biologically defined
 Socially constructed

Determined by birth
 Differs between and within

Universal

Relatively fixed (unless by
surgical/hormonal interventions

Set by nature
cultures
 Includes variables identifying
differences in roles, needs,
responsibilities, opportunities,
and constraints
 Subject to change and
evolution as society evolves
 Varies from one society to the
next, depending on age, class,
religion, economy, politics
Concept of Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Power
 Perpetrators can have “real” or “perceived” power.
 Some examples of different types of power and powerful
people:






Social—peer pressure, bullying, leader, teacher, parents
Economic—the perpetrator controls money or access to
goods/services/money/favours; sometimes husband or father
Political—elected leaders, discriminatory laws
Physical—strength, size, use of weapons, controlling access or
security; soldiers, police, robbers, gangs
Gender-based (social)—males are usually in a more powerful
position than females
Age-related—often, the young and elderly people have the least
power
Power – cont.

Power is directly related to choice.
 The
more power one has, there are more choices
available. The less power one has, fewer choices are
available.


Unempowered people have fewer choices and are
therefore more vulnerable to abuse.
Gender-based violence involves the abuse of
power. Unequal power relationships are exploited
or abused.
Violence /Use of Force

Violence is an act that causes pain in mind or body.




Violence denies people their human rights, which have been agreed by
all countries and we should never say the person deserved it or that
violence is acceptable.
“ Use of Force” maybe be physical, emotional, social or economic in
nature. It may also involve coercion or pressure. Force also includes
intimidation, threats, persecution, or other forms of psychological or
social pressure.
Violence consists of the use of physical force or other means of
coercion such as threat, inducement or promise of a benefit to obtain
something from a weaker or more vulnerable person.
Using violence involves forcing someone to do something against
her/his will—use of force.
Consent

Consent means saying “yes,” agreeing to something.


Informed consent means making an informed choice freely
and voluntarily by persons in an equal power relationship.
Acts of gender-based violence occur without informed
consent.
Even if she says “yes,” this is not true consent because it is
said under duress—the perpetrator(s) used some kind of
force to get her to say yes.
 Children (under age 18) are deemed unable to give
informed consent for acts such as marriage, sexual
relations/consensual sex, etc.

Survivor



Survivor is the preferred term for a person who has
lived through an incident of gender-based violence.
The word “victim” conjures an image of someone
who is weak, sick, small, hunched over, crying,
clothed in rags, unable to function in the world. It is
a sad, disempowering word.
The word “survivor” conjures an image of someone
who stands straight and tall, uses eye contact, walks
with confidence, lives life to the fullest. It is a
powerful, empowering word.
Perpetrator


A perpetrator is a person, group, or institution that
inflicts, supports, or condones violence or other
abuse against a person or group of persons.
Characteristics of perpetrators:
 Persons
with real or perceived power
 Persons in decision making positions
 Persons in authority
Session Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be
able to:
1. Identify people at risk of GBV- potential
survivors
2. Identify potential perpetrators of GBV;
People at Risk of GBV- Potential
Survivors










Although SGBV is a global phenomenon in terms of age and
sex, there are certain groups of people who are at a higher
risk of SGBV. These include:Children
Women
Unaccompanied females, without male protection
Single women, female headed households
Mentally and/or physically disabled females and males
Economically disempowered people
Junior staff males and females, students, less privileged
community members
Minority groups; e.g., ethnic, religious
Asylum seekers, internally displaced persons
People who are at risk to GBV
a) Women
 Women of all age groups and social status are
prone SGBV. This is mainly due to the socially
ascribed roles that expect women to be submissive,
seek protection from their husbands or male
members of the family, and ascribe them to be
second-class citizens NOT equal players in homes.
People who are at risk to GBV
Pregnant women may be deprived of essential needs like
food leading to malnutrition in pregnancy.
They have little or no control over the family purse to the
extent that even in emergency situations, they have to seek
permission from their spouses or mothers –in law to get
treatment.
 Married women are not granted the chance to decide on
when to have sex and only has to do every thing as the
husband wants with no objection/opposition because
culturally they are considered as property since dowry was
paid and can even be inherited.

b) Children

Children may be vulnerable to GBV because they are
weak and an easy target of perpetrators of GBV. In
addition, there are cultural beliefs that endanger the
safety of children like FGM; the presumption that they are
HIV negative and are not at risk of acquiring HIV; and
that having sexual intercourse with children rejuvenates old
men.
c) Elderly women and men

These are at high risk of SGBV because they are
weak targets for perpetrators. Fear of
stigmatization from the community may bar them
from reporting GBV. They may suffer GBV from
their social peers and in laws or family members. (.
d) Mental disabilities

d) Mentally disabled persons with mental disability
may lose perception of their surroundings and suffer
memory loss. They are prone to GBV because of
their condition such as wondering to foreign
environments, being desolate from the general
public and being neglected from care and support.
e) People with Disabilities

Disability: is any restriction or lack of ability to perform
an activity in the manner or within the range considered
normal for a human being. The restriction compromises
the individual‘s ability to resist or defend oneself, raise
alarm, run away, or report.

(f) Adolescents: They have peculiar desires and
experiences in relation to the biological and sexual
changes that occur during adolescence. For instance,
they desire to learn more about their new changes,
some may aspire to experiment sex with a
misguided view of proving their vitality.
Misconceptions about sexuality like the more sexual
partners you have the bigger the size of the penis or if
a girl doesn‘t have sex then she will not get married.
Adolescents are prone to defilement and sexual abuse
by close family members, people in positions of
authority such as teachers, among others
Other groups of people at risk of GBV.
Adopted children.
 People in war zones and living with disabilities.
 Job seekers, junior staffs.
 Students
Etc.

Categories or groups of people who are
potential perpetrators:








Intimate partners (husbands, boyfriends)
Influential community members (teachers, leaders,
politicians)
Security forces, soldiers, peacekeepers
Humanitarian aid workers (international, national,
refugee staff)
Strangers
Members of the community
Relatives (brothers, uncles, parents, aunts, sisters, etc.)
Anyone who is in a position of power
Putting concepts together



Putting concepts together to explain the meaning of “gender-based violence”
Gender—gender-based violence, violence that occurs based on gender roles,
expectations, limitations, etc.
GBV therefore affects females in most societies; males are also victims/survivors of
GBV, but most gender discrimination occurs against females because they are
disempowered in most societies as compared to their male counterparts.
Gender-based violence definition


An act of force or abuse of power, that does harm
to a person, is committed against their will, without
their informed consent, and which is committed
based on their gender.
These acts can be physical, mental, or sexual, and
include threats or attempted acts.
TYPES OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)





SEXUAL VIOLENCE
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE
SOCIAL-ECONOMIC VIOLENCE
HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
Sexual Violence











Sexual Harassment
Rape
Sodomy
Attempted Rape
Marital Rape
Abuse/Exploitation
Child Sexual Abuse/Incest
Sexual Abuse (non-penetrating)
Forced prostitution “willing” but involuntary, child prostitution, UAMs,
Sexual Trafficking
Early Marriage
Physical Violence





Spouse beating/battering
Beating
Slapping
Kicking
Hair pulling
Emotional (mental) psychologicalVerbal, emotional abuse





Discrimination
Humiliation
Denial of opportunities and/or services
Spouse confinement (domestic violence)
Verbal Abuse/name calling
Socio-Economic Violence



Denial of education, food for girls/women due to
gender role expectations
Discrimination and/or denial of opportunities,
services
Social exclusion/ ostracism based on sexual
orientation
Harmful Traditional Practices








Widow ceremonies/Inheritance ??
Punishments directed at women for crimes against
culture
Denial of education, food for girls/women
Early marriage
Forced marriage
Dowry abuse
Honour killing and Maiming
Infanticide and/or neglect
CAUSES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO GBV

The root causes of all forms of GBV lie in abuse of
power, gender inequality and perpetuated by
society’s attitudes towards and practices of gender
discrimination—the roles, responsibilities, limitations,
privileges, and opportunities afforded to an
individual according to gender. Addressing the root
causes through prevention activities requires sustained,
long term action with change occurring slowly over a
long period of time
Contributing Factors




Contributing factors are factors that perpetuate GBV or increase
risk of GBV, and influence the type and extent of GBV in any
setting. Contributing factors do not cause GBV although they are
associated with some acts of GBV. Some examples:
Alcohol/drug abuse is a contributing factor—but all drunks/drug
addicts do not beat their wives or rape women.
War, displacement, and the presence of armed combatants are all
contributing factors, but all soldiers do not rape civilian women.
Poverty is a contributing factor, but all poor women are not
victimized by forced prostitution or sexual exploitation.
Many contributing factors can be eliminated or significantly reduced
through prevention activities.
Possible Contributing factors that perpetuate
Gender-based violence:










Male and/or society attitudes of disrespect or disregard
towards women.
Lack of belief in equality of human rights for all
Cultural/social norms of gender inequality
Lack of value of women and/or women’s work
Alcohol/drug abuse
Poverty
Availability of food, fuel, wood, income generation requires
women to enter isolated areas
Boredom, lack of services, activities, programs
Leadership predominantly male; women’s security issues not
considered in decisions
Collapse of traditional society and family supports
Possible Contributing factors that
perpetuate Gender-based violence









Religious, cultural, and/or family beliefs and practices
Design of services and facilities
General lawlessness
Loss of male power/role in family and community; seeking to
assert power
Political motive, weapon of war, for power/control/fear/ethnic
cleansing
Geographical location/environment (high crime area)
Lack of laws against forms of gender-based violence
Lack of police protection
Legal justice system/laws silently condones gender violence
Consequences of GBV


Health consequences—There are serious and potentially life
threatening health
outcomes with all types of sexual and gender-based violence.
The exact consequences vary, depending on the type of GBV.
The consequences range from: Fatal Outcomes, Acute Physical,
Chronic Physical and Reproductive
Health consequences
 Homicide
 Injury
 Disability
 Miscarriage
Health Consequences of Sexual Gender Based
Violence

Short-term health effects:
minor cuts,
 headaches,
 pains and bruises.


Long-term health outcomes:
chronic pelvic pain,
 disfiguring scars sustained from burns or beating, organ
damage,
 chronic disabilities like fractures, mental disorders,
depression, infertility
 adverse pregnancy outcomes like unsafe abortions.


Fatal consequences such as suicide.
Consequences of GBV








Suicide
Shock
Somatic complaints
Unwanted pregnancy
Maternal mortality
Disease
Chronic infections
Unsafe abortion
Consequences of GBV- Health
consequences







Infant mortality
Infection
Chronic pain
STIs including HIV/AIDS
AIDS-related mortality
Gastrointestinal problems
Pregnancy complications; infertility
Consequences of GBV- Health
consequences






Eating disorders
Menstrual disorders
Sleep disorders
Gynecological disorders
Alcohol/drug abuse
Sexual disorders
Psychological/Emotional Consequences








Most psychological and emotional after- effects should be
viewed as normal human responses to horrific, terrifying,
extreme event. In some cases, however, the survivor
experiences mental illness that requires medical intervention.
Post traumatic stress
Depression
Anxiety, fear
Anger
Shame, insecurity, self-hate, self-blame
Mental illness
Suicidal thoughts, behavior, attempts
Social Consequences

Most societies tend to blame the survivor for the
incident, especially in cases of rape. This social
rejection results in further emotional damage,
including shame, self-hate and depression. Due to
their fear of social stigma and rejection, most
survivors never report the incident and never
receive proper health care and emotional support.
Most incidents of GBV are never reported to
anyone.
Social Consequences





Blaming the victim
Loss of ability to function in community (e.g., earn
income, care for children)
Social stigma
Social rejection and isolation
Rejection by husband and family
Addressing GBV
PREVENTION
Activities and actions
that target the root
causes and contributing
factors of GBV
RESPONSE
Actions and services
that target the
consequences of GBV
44
Prevention & Response Activities
PREVENTION ACTIVITIES:
seek to influence changes in the
knowledge, attitudes, and
behavior of a community, and
reducing the risks faced by
women and girls, by addressing
both the root cause and
contributing factors of GBV.
RESPONSE
ACTIVITIES:
seek to minimize the
consequences of
GBV and prevent
further trauma.
45
Multi Sectoral Approaches to GBV
WHAT ARE THE KEY SECTORS?
Key Sectors of Response
47
Multi Sectoral Approaches to GBV
HEALTH
PSYCHO-SOCIAL
Emergency contraception
Treat injuries
Treat STIs
PEP
Referral
Documentation
Psychological and emotional support
counseling
Social acceptance and reintegration
Income generation programs
Skills training programs
Group counseling
Documentation and referral
SAFETY & SECURITY
LEGAL/ JUSTICE
Report to police Investigate case Arrest
perpetrator
File charges with the court
Formal and
traditional
Apply appropriate laws and hold
perpetrators accountable
GBV REFERRAL SYSTEM
REFERRAL
WHAT ARE REFERRALS
• The processes by which a survivor gets in touch with
professionals and/or institutions regarding her case
AND
• The processes by which different professional sectors
communicate and work together, in a safe, ethical
and confidential manner, to provide the survivor with
comprehensive support
WHAT IS A REFERRAL PATHWAY
• A flexible mechanism that safely links survivors to
supportive and competent services.
• Can include any or all of the following: Health,
Psychosocial, Security and Protection, Legal/Justice,
and/or Economic Reintegration support
WHY ARE REFERRALS NEEDED
• Survivors typically have multiple and complex
needs that require a comprehensive set of services
• One single organization cannot effectively provide
all of these services
THEREFORE:
• Coordinated, multi-sectoral response is necessary
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN REFERRALS
A survivor has the freedom and the right to disclose an
incident to anyone.
Anyone the survivor tells about her experience has a
responsibility to give honest and complete information about
services available, to encourage her to seek help, and to
accompany her and support her through the process
whenever possible.
Providing information to survivors in a safe, ethical and
confidential manner about their rights and options to
report risk and access care is a responsibility of ALL
humanitarian actors who interact with affected
populations
REFERRAL PATHWAY
REFERRAL PATHWAY IN PRACTICE
GUIDELINES FOR REFERRAL
All humanitarian personnel who engage with affected
populations should have up to date written information
about where to refer survivors for care and support.
Ensure training on how to respectfully and supportively
engage with survivors and provide risk reporting and/or
referral information in an ethical, safe and confidential
manner
Any programmes that share information about reports of
GBV must abide by safety and ethical standards (e.g.
shared information does not reveal the identity of or pose
a security risk to individual survivors, their families or the
broader community)
SESSION 1.4: GUIDING
PRINCIPLES IN RESPONDING
TO SGBV
Session objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:
 Discuss the guiding principles in relation to SGBV
 Demonstrate ability to uphold the guiding principles
Respect
• The actions &
responses of all
actors will be
guided by respect
for the wishes, the
rights, the dignity
of the survivor.
Respect the wishes, rights, and
dignity of the survivor.




This principle underscores the importance of the
caseworker using a validating, non-blaming and nonjudgmental approach with the survivor.
This principle also reminds us that we must value the
survivor. We express to survivors that we care about
their experiences, their history and what happens to
them now and in the future.
We let her know that she is valuable and that she
matters in the world and to us. This is particularly
important given the relational dynamics of her life and/or
experiences with violence.
As caseworkers, we are the one person in her life from
which she can expect to receive unconditional care,
support and respect.
Respect



Do not ask inappropriate questions like “are you a
virgin?”
All survivors have different ways of coping, and we
need to be considerate of them.
All actions taken will be guided by respect for the
choices, wishes, rights, and dignity of the victim/survivor.
Some examples:
Conduct interviews and examinations in private settings and with
same sex translators, wherever possible.
 Always try to conduct interviews and examinations with staff of
the same sex as the victim/survivor (e.g., woman survivor to
woman interviewer or health worker)

Respect (cont.)
 Be
a good listener.
 Maintain a non-judgmental manner.
 Be patient; do not press for more information if the survivor
is not ready to speak about her experience.
 Ask survivors only relevant questions.
 The prior sexual history or status of virginity of the survivor
is not an issue and should not be discussed.
 Avoid requiring the survivor to repeat her story in multiple
interviews.
 Do not laugh or show any disrespect for the individual or her
culture, family or situation.
• Ensure the
safety
of
the
Safety survivor at
all times.
Establish and ensure safety

Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of the
survivor is critical during care and treatment. All case
actions taken on behalf of the survivor must safeguard
the survivor’s physical and emotional well-being in the
short and long-term.

Safety must also be established within the relationship
between the caseworker and client such that the
survivor feels she will be not be physically or emotionally
harmed by the caseworker and the caseworker’s
actions.
1. Safety

Ensuring the safety and security of the survivor
should be the number one priority for all actors, at
all times.
 Remember
that the survivor may be frightened and
need assurance of her individual safety.
 In all cases, ensure that she is not at risk of further harm
by the perpetrator or by other members of the
community.
Safety (cont.)


If necessary, ask for assistance from camp security,
authorities, field officers, or others.
Be aware of the safety and security of the people
who are helping the survivor, such as family, friends,
community service or GBV workers, and health care
staff.
Confidentiality
• At all times, the
confidentiality of
the survivor (s)
and their families
will be respected.
Maintain confidentiality.






This principle requires that caseworkers and others involved in
the care and treatment of clients protect information gathered
about them and agree to only share information about clients’
cases with their explicit permission. This means ensuring
1) the confidential collection of information during interviews;
2) that sharing information happens on a need to know basis
or in line with laws and policies; that permission is obtained
from the survivor before information is shared;
3) when making a referral only the
details relevant to the referral are shared with the other service
provider and that the caseworker and survivor reach a decision
together about what should be shared; and
4) case information is stored securely. Maintaining
confidentiality also means that service providers never discuss
case details with family and friends, or with colleagues whose
knowledge of the abuse is deemed unnecessary. !
CONFIDENTIALITY
Definition
= Not disclosing any information at any time to
any party without the informed consent of the
person concerned.
The decision to release any information related to
the incident or the survivor rests with the survivor
alone.
Confidentiality



At all times, respect the confidentiality of the
survivor families.
Share only necessary and relevant information (not
all details), ONLY if requested and agreed by the
survivor, with only those people involved in
providing assistance.
Information about GBV reported incidents and GBV
survivors should never be shared if it includes the
individual’s name or other identifying information.
Confidentiality (cont.)
 Information
concerning the survivor should only be
shared with third parties after seeking and obtaining
the survivor’s (or their parents,’ in the case of children)
explicit consent in writing.


All written information must be maintained in secure,
locked files.
In meetings, there may be times when a specific
GBV case is mentioned. Ensure that no identifying
information is revealed, disguising details as
needed to protect the confidentiality of the survivor.
• All survivors of
violence should receive
equal and fair
treatment regardless
Nonof
their
age,
race,
discrimination
religion, nationality,
ethnicity, sexual
orientation or any
other characteristics.
Non-discrimination.


Every adult or child, regardless of his/her sex, should be
accorded equal care and support. Victims/survivors of
violence should receive equal and fair treatment
regardless of their race, religion, nationality or sexual
orientation. We fully recognize and intend to uphold this
guiding principle in our work.
However, it must be noted that the priority target
population around which case management approach
and services have been built are women and girls.
Caseworkers will never deny services to men and boys,
but want to be explicit that our approach, training and
skills have been developed with women and girls as the
primary intended clients.
Non discrimination


Provide all survivors/victims (married or unmarried,
girls, boys and men) with access to services
Ensure same sex interviewers including interpreter,
medical worker, police officer, protection officer,
community service worker and other whenever
possible.
EXCEPTION
The only time confidentiality should be breached is
when there is imminent risk to the survivor or the GBV
worker.
What if confidentiality is breached?
 Threat to the survivor, the perpetrator and/or the
GBV workers
Injury to the survivor, the perpetrator and/or the GBV
workers
Death of the survivor, the perpetrator and/or the GBV
workers.





What is the summary of what we learned? What
ideas do we need to carry with us into the
coming day?
Any questions to be answered from the parking
lot…or burning questions?
How have we understood what we have learned
so far?
What are the 2 key points for us in thinking
about GBV?
What do we want to learn more about in
future?
Survivor-Centered Approach



The GBV guiding principles are inextricably linked to the
overarching humanitarian responsibility to provide protection
and assistance to those affected by a crisis and are embodied
in a GBV intervention promoting a survivor-centered
approach.
Essentially, a survivor-centered approach involves designing
and developing programming that ensures survivors’ rights
and needs come first and foremost.
This also means that the survivor should be placed at the
center of each step of the referral pathways, and that every
decision should be driven by her/his needs and capacities.

Survivor-centred approach means that the
survivor’s rights, needs and wishes are
prioritized