Zwivhamboni Zwa Vhamusanda: An Improvised Safe Space for Victims of Gender-Based Violence in the Vhembe District

Petition for a Comprehensive Law against Gender-Based Violence in Cuba

This summarizes proceedings of a Scientific Research Planning Meeting on Sexual Violence and HIV transmission, convened by the Social Science Research Council on 19–20 March 2012 at the Greentree Foundation in New York. The Meeting brought together an interdisciplinary group of basic, clinical, epidemiological and social science researchers and policy makers with the aim of: (1) examining what is known about the physiology of sexual violence and its role in HIV transmission, acquisition and pathogenesis; (2) specifying factors that distinguish risks throughout the maturation of the female genital tract, the reproductive cycle and among post-menopausal women; and (3) developing a research agenda to explore unanswered questions. The Meeting resulted in a consensus Research Agenda and White Paper that identify priorities for HIV research, policy and practice as it pertains to the role of sexual violence and genital injury in HIV transmission, acquisition and pathogenesis, particularly among women and girls.

This article examines experiences of men who are victims of gender-based violence where women are perpetrators. There are masculinity expectations that if a man is in pain, he is not allowed to show his agony or cry in public, as suggested in the Sepedi proverb Monna ke nku o llela teng. These expectations make it difficult for male victims of domestic violence to report the abuse. Gender-based violence has to do with the abuse that is suffered by partners who are in relationships. This violence includes, but is not limited to physical, sexual, psychological, economic harm, and includes actions such as threats and coercion. Men usually do not speak out about their experiences due to the stigma attached to them being victims of female-perpetrated domestic abuse, as this study has shown. This article is based on the study of men who reported their experiences of abuse at the hands of their partners. The study was conducted in Vuwani within the Makhado Local Municipality, Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The data showed that male victims of domestic violence are reluctant to speak out about their ordeal due to fear of being ridiculed by significant others in the society, such as their family members, peers and police officials.

This study sought to address the research question: How victims of violence become perpetrators of the same violence they suffered in Bulawayo? With the advent of the Covid-19 virus, gender-based violence cases drastically increased during the lockdowns making it a pandemic within the pandemic (John et al 2020:65). Studies on gender-based violence have largely focused on violence against women and the prevalence of this kind of abuse; few studies have focused on men as victims of this violence. This study focused on men in Bulawayo who have suffered, witnessed or perpetrated domestic violence and sought an understanding of the causes of violence by women as well as the types of violence they commit. Through an examination of existing literature and the conducting of participatory action research (PAR) with participants from Bulawayo, this study also investigated methods for addressing genderbased violence with a view of breaking cycles of violence and reducing the occurrence of such violence. Over the years, great strides and efforts have been made to correct the inequalities caused by patriarchal societal structures. However, the empowerment and emancipation of women and the provision of positive discrimination opportunities which were originally designed to reduce the gaps between the two genders appear to have created further imbalances as women now have become over-protected and are taking advantage of this situation. The study has led whether or not women are as much victim of gender-based violence as they are “perceived victims” given the fact that men are suffering in silence at their hands. After selection the methods through interviews, discussions and a review of literature, an action plan for creating a safe space for dialogue was hatched. The team had already laid the initial groundwork on the intervention which was broader than gender-based violence against men and aimed to deal with numerous issues affecting men. The team required assistance in the formalisation the organisation and that was how they met the writer and discussed on which methods to utilise for a concerted peacebuilding project. They used their expertise and competencies to undertake a project through podcasts and broadcasts which is still on going. The project was well received and through its service to the community, difficult conversations have been held which was not obtaining before and this is one of its meaningful contributions to the Bulawayo community

This qualitative study examined the Men and Boys Championing Change programme’s effectiveness in reducing gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa’s Vhembe district, facilitated by Traditional leaders (Mahosi) using an empowerment model. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten Mahosi purposefully selected using a non-probability sampling method, analysed thematically and supported by a 4-point Likert-type scale, indicated positive perceptions of the programme, scoring an average of 3.7 out of 4. Leaders highlighted improved attitudes, male engagement, and gender equity as programme benefits. However, sustainability concerns scored 3.0, reflecting a moderate to high level of agreement that limited resources may impact long-term success. The findings suggest the programme promotes community cohesion, social justice, and respect for women while highlighting resource constraints as barriers to lasting impact.

In many areas of South Africa, gender-based violence has continued to grow, and during COVID-19 lockdowns, it reached its highest heights. This study sought to differentiate between active gender-based violence and passive gender-based violence, as this distinction has always been ignored both in literature and in the South African legal system. While active gender-based violence (GBV) gets reported to the police and legally addressed, passive GBV happens in closets and cannot be reported. However, passive GBV leaves no physical scars that can be presented in court and is therefore not addressed in South African law. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled group of 10 women from Vhembe District (Venda), and thematic analysis was adopted. This study argued for women’s psychological health to be equally recognized as well as their physical health. The core argument is that depression causes as much harm as physical scars. The findings of the study revealed that GBV offenses as omissions in relationships do affect South African women in serious ways, similar to those offenses reported as commission. The findings also showed that South African law only focuses on GBV by commission; this is because GBV by omission offenses have nowhere to report and no one investigates them. Furthermore, the study found that women in South Africa suffer from being victims of mental health problems due to the fact that they live with unreportable offenses of GBV by omission. Therefore, the study contends that cases of GBV by commission in the context of spouses are usually the end result of salient GBV by omission that has been happening for a long time with no ability to report or call for intervention. This study adds to the growing literature on combating GBV in South Africa. Keywords: Gender-Based Violence, Unreported Experiences, Passive GBV, Self-Harm, Relationships.

Conducting research in indigenous settings in rural villages, where traditional leaders are the custodians of communities remains a challenge. Traditional health practitioners have to adapt their protocols to the needs of the cultural setting. When gaining access to a setting, researchers have to follow a process that respects the autonomy of individuals, thus adhering to one of the ethical principles of research with human participants. In this paper, the researchers reflect on gaining access to conduct research with traditional health practitioners and traditional leaders in Vhembe district, South Africa. Researchers participated in sharing circles, and identified five reflective themes. The themes included initiating agreement and rapport, continuous negotiation and compromise, Them and Us, adhering to local dress code and ritual performance. Researchers planning to conduct research with traditional health practitioners and traditional leaders should consider these themes in the preparation phase.

BackgroundThe phenomenon of gender-based violence is a pertinent social problem in South Africa. The fear of reporting gender-based violence contributes to its continuation, marginalisation and silencing of victims.ObjectivesThe study sought to explore the psychosocial effects of gender-based violence among women in Vhembe district.MethodsAn exploratory phenomenological research design was used and sampling was performed purposively from a population of women who experienced gender-based violence in a low-resource, rural setting of Vhembe district. Semi-structured telephonic interviews were used as the main method of data collection after permissions and informed consent were sought for conducting the study. Thematic content analysis was applied to convert the participants’ statements into a meaningful framework to derive the findings.ResultsA total of 15 participants aged from 19 to 35 years participated in the study. Their psychosocial experiences of gender-based violence were depression, worthlessness, social isolation and anger directed towards children.ConclusionThis research confirms that gender-based violence remains one of the most challenging problems associated with mental health problems in Vhembe district. It affirms the need to focus on awareness in rural areas afflicted by patriarchal attitudes, norms and stereotypes. Gender-based violence should to be viewed as human rights violation for victims’ protection.ContributionThe study contributes to the body of knowledge on the experiences of gender-based violence among marginalised women from rural areas.

Women victims of gender violence consider the health system an appropriate place to seek help. Aims and Objectives: to describe and understand how nurses perceive gender-based violence in health care for women victims of gender-based violence. Qualitative descriptive study. The recommendations of the COREQ guide for qualitative research reporting were followed. Sixteen nurses who were working in different health services, both primary and specialized care, were selected to take part in the study. Three focus groups and a semi-structured interview were conducted. The ATLAS.ti 9 computer programme was used. The nurses highlighted that when caring for women who are victims of gender violence, they encounter two types of violence: invisible or latent, and visible or patent. Part of the nurses’ role is based on the skill of knowing how to act and being trained to do so. In addition, there are certain controversies around the concept and origin of violence. On the one hand, they refer to gender violence as a universal phenomenon with strong cultural and educational roots, and, on the other hand, it is difficult to characterize. The findings report how nurses play a fundamental role in caring for victims of gender-based violence, but they encounter certain difficulties regarding this concept. It is therefore essential to continuously train and educate nurses on gender-based violence. Gender violence should be a competency in nursing curricula. Health systems must offer training and awareness programmes that teach nurses to detect and make decisions regarding female victims of gender violence. It is also necessary to set up spaces in the different services so that the nurses can attend to the victims.

KEYWORDS Gender. Violence. Psychological Abuse. Physical Abuse. Sexual Abuse. Child Labour. Culture of Silence. Primary Schooling ABSTRACT Gender-based violence is violence directed against any person on the basis of gender, including acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or threats of such acts. Although any person is a risk, women and girls are the primary victims of gender-based violence. Informed by womanist theory, this paper reports on a qualitative study of gender-based violence in Zimbabwean primary schools. Participants were twenty girls who had been victims of gender-based violence enrolled in primary schools in the Harare and Marondera districts of Zimbabwe selected by purposeful sampling and a chain referral. Data was gathered by semi-structured interviews and visual tools. Findings provide a comprehensive picture of gender-based violence in primary schools. This is manifested in acts of physical violence, particularly the unsanctioned use of corporal punishment, psychological violence and sexual abuse. School grounds harbour unsafe and poorly supervised areas where violence may occur and reporting routes for incident are ineffective. Perpetrators include teaching and non-teaching staff and peers. An insidious form of gender-based violence is embedded in child labour practices in the school and the community. Gender-based violence damages girls' health, social and psychological development and impedes learning. Further, gender-based violence is perpetuated by a culture of silence informally maintained by victims, teachers, peers and parent and by the school's weak compliance with protective policies.

Gender-based violence is violence directed against any person on the basis of gender, including acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or threats of such acts. Although any person is a risk, women and girls are the primary victims of gender-based violence. Informed by womanist theory, this paper reports on a qualitative study of gender-based violence in Zimbabwean primary schools. Participants were twenty girls who had been victims of gender-based violence enrolled in primary schools in the Harare and Marondera districts of Zimbabwe selected by purposeful sampling and a chain referral. Data was gathered by semi-structured interviews and visual tools. Findings provide a comprehensive picture of gender-based violence in primary schools. This is manifested in acts of physical violence, particularly the unsanctioned use of corporal punishment, psychological violence and sexual abuse. School grounds harbour unsafe and poorly supervised areas where violence may occur and reporting routes for incident are ineffective. Perpetrators include teaching and non-teaching staff and peers. An insidious form of gender-based violence is embedded in child labour practices in the school and the community. Gender-based violence damages girls' health, social and psychological development and impedes learning. Further, gender-based violence is perpetuated by a culture of silence informally maintained by victims, teachers, peers and parent and by the school's weak compliance with protective policies.

Health and self-care of professionals working against gender-based violence: an analysis based on the grounded theory

Violence against women and girls or gender-based violence is a form of discrimination that constitutes ‘violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately’. Violence against women has carelessly become a significant global public health problem affecting one-third of women in the world in 2013. Killings of women and girls by their male partners or ex-partners are not isolated incidents, but constitute ‘the ultimate act of violence that is experienced in a continuum of violence’. Gender-based domestic violence remains the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls that affects women of all social strata across the world. Violence against women, in the private sphere and in its different manifestations, is tantamount to violations of the rights to life, equality, dignity and non-discrimination, the right not to be subjected to torture and to other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to liberty and security of person, the right to equal protection under the law, and the right to equality in the family, among other human rights. In addition, children who are victims and witnesses of that gender-based domestic violence suffer adverse effects on their health and in other ways also are ‘severely negatively impacted by [that] violence’. However gender-based domestic violence measures to protect child victims and witnesses of gender-related domestic violence remain weak in spite of the undeniable consensus among States on rights applicable to child victims and witnesses of crime. This article provides an overview of the issue of gender-based domestic violence and analyses the consideration given to the woman and child (of that woman) – both victims of intimate-partner domestic violence under international law and regional European law, and, in addition, under Spanish domestic legislation. The article highlights the latest developments in those three legal settings, including the forthcoming entry into force of the challenging and most comprehensive legal instrument on violence against women in the world today, the Istanbul Convention. The Convention provides at last formal (through judicial practice and legal instruments) recognition of children who witness gender-based domestic violence as victims of that gender-based violence. Also reviewed are recent jurisprudence/judicial practice, legal developments and challenges on this important subject in Spain. Final recommendations based on the aforementioned international, regional and domestic analysis are made to the State of Spain, recommendations applicable indeed to the practice in any country seeking international human rights compliance, good practices and redress, in an effective fight against gender-based domestic violence.

Prelims

Background: The question of violence perpetrated against women and girls in Ukraine has been raised by the public for decades. In the context of an ongoing and active war, the issue of violence is very sensitive. On the one hand, we can see that people are primarily concerned about basic needs. On the other hand, trauma, silence, and ignoring violence and fear have complex implications. Purpose: To present specialised support services that provide social and psychological assistance to victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in Ukraine. Methods: The theoretical method of the research was to analyse the documents used to study the works of scholars who created, adapted and researched specialised support services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. To better understand the activities of various specialised support services for survivors, an empirical method was used, namely, a qualitative sociological study was conducted to analyse personal experiences of creating specialised support services for working with victims of domestic and gender-based violence. Results: The analysis of legal and regulatory documents in Ukraine provided a complete picture of the work in the field of preventing and combating domestic and gender-based violence, compliance with international standards and innovative approaches. Conclusion: The results of the study show that innovative approaches to working with victims of domestic and gender-based violence are being implemented in Ukraine and meet international standards. Their implementation is based on adherence to European values. In the context of war, there are certain challenges and problems, but the expansion and implementation of such specialised support services continues. Keywords: domestic violence, gender-based violence, gender-based violence, specialised support services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, mobile teams of social and psychological assistance, call centres, counselling service, shelters, day centres, crisis rooms, social and psychological assistance to victims of domestic and gender-based violence.