The ManicaPost
The relationship between gender and violence is complex.
The different roles and conducts of females and males, children and adults, are shaped and reinforced by gender norms within society.
These social expectations define ‘appropriate’ behaviour for women and men; which in turn create gender inequalities, with one gender more empowered than the other.
Thus in many societies, women are viewed as subordinate to men who are socially awarded greater decision-making power.
The cancer of gender based violence (GBV) – which includes but is not limited to physical, sexual and psychological abuse – emanates from these intricacies.
It is derived from unequal power relationships between men and women, with the violence perpetrated on a woman just because she is a woman.
Evidence also suggests that gender inequalities inhibit the ability of victims to seek protection.
While there are various forms of violence against women, the most common is the violence perpetrated by their intimate partners. According to the World Health Organisation, gender based violence is violence involving men and women, in which the female is usually the victim.
Hence from the 25th of November to the 10th of December every year, the world join hands in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.
This year’s commemorations are running under the theme ‘Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!’
The 16 days are used by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Research suggests that the best way to eliminate GBV is through reversing the aforementioned social norms and promoting gender equality.
School programmes can address gender norms and attitudes before they become deeply ingrained in the children, thereby nipping GBV in the bud.
Community interventions, media and public awareness campaigns can also change traditional gender norms by challenging the stereotypes that give men power over women because it is here that the social norms are constructed.
Government interventions to promote gender equality – through laws and policies – can also play a part in the prevention of GBV.
Internationally, a number of legal frameworks have been put in place to promote gender equality and eliminate GBV.
Among others, these include the Beijing Declaration of 1995 and the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development (2008) as well as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Zimbabwe ratified.
CEDAW is considered as women’s bill of rights.
In addition, constitutional and legal provisions have been put in place to improve the response of the police and other criminal justice officials towards GBV cases, as well as protecting women’s rights in marriage, divorce, property ownership, inheritance and child support.
The Government of Zimbabwe also enacted the Domestic Violence Act in 2007 to criminalise such acts.
A number of micro-finance initiatives have been established in the country to increase women’s economic and social power to enable them to stand against GBV.
These initiatives often combine financial services, capacity building programmes and awareness campaigns on GBV.
In efforts to stop GBV, it is also crucial to engage men and boys to redefine concepts of masculinity based on dominance and control.
Once a level field is created, with men and women operating on the same footing, GBV can be busted.
