Consequences Of Gender-based Violence Research Articles

Gender-based violence and its determinants among refugees and internally displaced women in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundGender-based violence is a serious public health concern and affects a large number of women and girls in humanitarian emergencies. Despite this, there is a dearth of the summary data to address the issue. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the estimated pooled magnitude and factors associated with gender-based violence among refugees and internally displaced women in Africa.MethodsPubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, African Journals OnLine, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were among the databases that were used to search the primary articles. The reviewed papers were articles that evaluated the prevalence and contributing variables of gender-based violence against refugees and internally displaced women in Africa. We extracted the data using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which we exported into Stata version 14 for further analysis. The I2 test was applied to identify statistical heterogeneity. We used a random effect meta-analysis methodology because of the heterogeneity. A funnel plot and Egger’s weighted regression test were used to examine publication bias.ResultsThis systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed 17 primary studies with a total of 6,161 refugees and internally displaced women in Africa. The findings of this study revealed that the estimated pooled prevalence of gender-based violence among refugees and internally displaced women was determined to be 48.20% (95% CI: 39.28, 57.12). Young age (AOR = 3.68, CI: 2.63, 5.14), alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.53, CI: 1.56, 4.11), and having no social protection (AOR = 3.21, CI: 2.22, 4.63) were factors significantly associated with gender-based violence.Conclusions and recommendationsThe present study showed that almost half of refugees and internally displaced women residing in Africa were survivors of gender-based violence. Younger women, alcohol users, and those without social protection were more likely to experience gender-based violence. Therefore, it is recommended that accessible information about the consequences of gender-based violence and early intervention for survivors be provided, taking these factors into consideration.

Assessment Of Gender-Based Violence In The City Of Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria

Introduction Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health issue globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) describing it as any behavior within an intimate relationship that includes physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) describes GBV as any harmful act committed against a person’s will based on gender differences. GBV is recognized as a contemporary human rights concern affecting millions globally, with women and girls making up most victims. However, men and boys are also affected, though their victimization is less acknowledged, particularly due to societal perceptions of masculinity. The consequences of GBV, whether physical or psychological, are severe and can include exposure to HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. WHO statistics indicate that 35% of women globally have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence, revealing the widespread nature of the issue. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and trends of gender-based violence in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Oyo State is the fifth most populous state in Nigeria, with a GBV prevalence rate of 7.6%. By 2021, 17.1% of women in Oyo State had experienced physical violence since the age of 15. The study also seeks to explore GBV among men, adolescents, and pregnant women, as well as the help-seeking behaviors of victims and the response of healthcare providers in Ibadan. Method: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, using semi-structured questionnaires hosted on Kobocollect. The research covered the 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ibadan. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 29, with inferential statistics used to test associations between categorical variables. Logistic regression was also employed to identify independent factors of GBV, with a statistical significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The study included 13,841 participants, comprising 2,388 pregnant women, 2,027 non-pregnant women, 4,452 adolescents, 3,688 adult men, and 1,286 healthcare providers. Among adult women, younger age groups (20-29 years) were less likely to experience GBV compared to older women. Women who were employed or had higher educational attainment were less likely to be at risk. Pregnant women aged 30-39 had a higher likelihood of experiencing GBV, while women aged 50 and above had a lower risk. Among men, younger males were more likely to experience GBV threats, with 7.1% reporting physical violence from their partners. Adolescents, particularly those aged 10-14 years, were at a higher risk of GBV compared to older adolescents. Employment status was also a significant factor, with unemployed adolescents reporting higher rates of GBV. Additionally, 22% of health facilities reported GBV cases in the past six months, with primary health centers being the most common point of care. However, there were gaps in knowledge among healthcare workers, with most failing to identify the different forms of GBV. Conclusion: Age, employment status, education level, and partner’s behavior (such as alcohol consumption) were significant factors influencing GBV risks in Ibadan. The findings suggest gaps in the knowledge of healthcare providers and limited long-term support for survivors of GBV. While most facilities reported cases among women, there were fewer reports of GBV among men, highlighting the need for more attention to this issue

Impact of Gender-based Violence on Local Economy: A Case Study of Gasabo District

Aim: Gender-based violence (GBV) poses a significant challenge to economic development, particularly in regions such as Gasabo District in Rwanda, which has seen remarkable post-genocide recovery and growth. Despite progress, the intricate relationship between GBV and economic outcomes remains understudied, necessitating further investigation. This study addresses the gap in understanding the economic implications such as workforce productivity, healthcare expenditures, and educational attainment of GBV in Gasabo District. Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative and qualitative research methodology to comprehensively assess the prevalence and consequences of GBV in Gasabo District. A sample size of 400 participants was selected using stratified sampling techniques, with data collected through self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews with survivors and stakeholders. Results: findings reveal alarming statistics on the prevalence and economic toll of GBV in Gasabo District. Among the respondents, 58.5% reported no experience with GBV during their lifetime, with physical violence (35.5%) most frequent type. Economic consequences were substantial, with 28.8% reporting reduced productivity due to GBV. A significant association between GBV and economic consequences, with chi-square test results revealing a strong correlation (chi-square = 46.949, p < 0.001) between experiencing GBV and reported economic impacts. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for evidence-based interventions to address GBV and its economic repercussions in Gasabo District by implementing comprehensive awareness and education programs to increase understanding of gender-based violence (GBV) and promote zero tolerance for violence

Addressing Gender-Based Violence through the ERA Policy Framework: A Systemic Solution to Dilemmas and Contestations for Institutions

The consequences of gender-based violence in academic cultures are severe for individuals, the study and work climate, and for the quality of research and education. EU and national policy frameworks are developed since long, guiding academic institutions work on ending violence and abuse in the European Research Area (ERA). In this article, a critique and solution to specific dilemmas and contestations immanent in transforming ERA wide policy development into effective actions on the institutional level are presented. The analysis and policy input builds on extensive knowledge from long-term gender mainstreaming programs in national contexts, thorough experience from working amidst a research political landscape with conflicting academic, political, and bureaucratic paradigms, and research-based knowledge on policy development on gender-based violence. A core contribution from the article is the development of a generic, intermediating, and systemic institutional framework for implementation, acknowledging both the ERA policy developments and the day-to-day challenges on the institutional level, from the viewpoint of succeeding in ending gender-based violence in all ERA institutions. Also, a model for monitoring and evaluation of progress on the institutional level is proposed, accompanied by assessment criteria and a set of well-defined indicators. The proposed institutional framework can serve as an important step forward, in a collaborative effort among ERA stakeholders, and serve as inspiration for global academic institutions and national contexts to foster progress on the endemic of gender-based violence permeating academic communities.

A call to action against gender-based violence and discrimination from the Emergency Departments

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global issue deeply rooted that grows from gender inequality and represents one of the most severe human rights violations. GBV is violence directed against a person because of their gender. It may include both intimidation and manipulation in addition to sexual, physical, mental, and financial harm done in secret or in a public context. The consequences of GBV can be devastating, with life-long consequences for survivors, or even result in death. Although GBV affects both men and women, the burden belongs mainly to women and girls. According to the 2015 Italian National Institute of Statistics report, almost 1 out of 3 women in Italy have disclosed physical and/or sexual violence. Thirty-one percent of women aged 16-70 have experienced some form of violence (20% physical and 21% sexual violence). Up to December 3, 2023, 109 women had died in Italy, 90 of whom in domestic settings, and 58 had been killed by partners or former partners. Analysing the data from the first nine months of 2023 of calls to the national ‘Anti-violence and anti-stalking’ helpline (1522), approximately half of the victims (47.6%) were victims of physical violence. Psychological violence was the second most frequent reason for calling (36.9%). Most of them (79.4%) are victims of domestic violence. Only 15.8% reported the type of violence they suffered (1,311 victims), even if the Italian law ensures greater protection for victims and legal aid. [...]

Gender based violence against women: the crisis behind being a restaurant waitress

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the types, perpetrators, places, times and consequences of gender-based violence (GBV).Design/methodology/approachPhenomenology research design was used, and 13 waitresses were selected using convenience sampling technique. In-depth interview was used to gather relevant data, and the collected data were analyzed using thematic and interpretive analysis technique.FindingsPhysical, psychological, sexual, economic and social types of violence were common. Though GBV may be committed anywhere and anytime, restaurants are the most epicenter and night is critical time by which the problem is more prevalent. Customers, supervisors and agents are of perpetrators of GBV. GBV can have serious long-term and life-threatening consequences for victims. Physical, psychological, health-related, social and economic impacts are the crisis behind being a restaurant waitress.Originality/valueThis research is the author’s original work.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

This article assesses the causes and effects of gender-based violence. Gender-Based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. Gender-based violence can include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private. It also includes threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. This can take many forms such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation and so-called ‘honour crimes. The consequences of gender-based violence are devastating and can have life-long repercussions for survivors. It can even lead to death. The methodological approach for these articles is based on qualitative research methods of previous articles. The learned helplessness theory and the social learning theory were used to expound more on the gender-based violence. Ten articles were reviewed using the content analysis method. The results revealed that lack of physical security, poverty, discriminatory social, cultural laws, norms and practices are some of the major causes of gender-based violence. Gender-based violence has effects such as homicide and suicide, injury and shock, disability and sleeping disorders, reproduction problems, emotional and psychological problems and social and economic problems such as increased gender inequalities. The study recommends the government should create facilities that help women experiencing Gender Based Violence such as counselling centers, funds that will help victims get rehabilitated. Government should invest in institutions like Police and the judiciary so that victims are assisted. The community should also establish community social structures such as community groups of both men and women provide a sensitization platform for people to share experiences related GBV and remedies so as to solicit support from fellow community members.

Consequences of gender-based violence on female high school students in eastern Ethiopia.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant global public health problem and adversely impacts the physical and mental health of women. This study aimed to determine the consequences of GBV (including sexual, physical, emotional, and overall GBV) on female high school students in eastern Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,199 female high school students in eastern Ethiopia using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. This study revealed that more than half (55%) of the study participants had experienced any type of GBV during their lifetime. There were statistically significant differences between the educational status and childhood residence of participants who experienced and participants who did not experience sexual violence, physical violence, emotional violence, and any type of GBV in their lifetime (p<0.001). Students who had experienced sexual violence during their lifetime reported consequences of physical health, including swelling around genitalia (33.7%), unusual vaginal discharge (30.7%), and injury around the genitalia (23.9%). Mental health consequences included self-blame (35.7%), and anxiety (23.3%). Educational consequences included poor school performance (36.1%), absenteeism (34.6%), and dropout (28.9%). Students who had experienced any type of GBV during their lifetime reported consequences of physical violence, including poor school performance (18.7%), and withdrawal from school (9.0%). The main perpetrators of any type of GBV were reported to be family members, students, or boyfriends/husbands. GBV is a severe public health problem among female high school students. Primary and secondary prevention is vital to curb the consequences of GBV.

"We're Going to Leave You for Last, Because of How You Are": Transgender Women's Experiences of Gender-Based Violence in Healthcare, Education, and Police Encounters in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Transgender (trans) women experience gender-based violence (GBV) throughout their lives, which impedes their access to services and contributes to poor health outcomes and quality of life. To inform policies and health programs, trans women worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)- and President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported LINKAGES project, the United Nations Development Programme, The University of the West Indies, and local organizations to document experiences of GBV and transphobia in healthcare, education, and police encounters. Trans women conducted 74 structured interviews with other trans women in El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Haiti in 2016. We conducted qualitative applied thematic analysis to understand the nature and consequences of GBV and transphobia and descriptive quantitative analysis to identify the proportion who experienced GBV in each context. A high proportion experienced GBV in education (85.1%), healthcare (82.9%), from police (80.0%), and other state institutions (66.1%). Emotional abuse was the most common in all contexts and included gossiping, insults, and refusal to use their chosen name. Participants also experienced economic, physical, and sexual violence, and other human rights violations based on their gender identity and expression. At school, participants were physically threatened and assaulted, harassed in bathrooms, and denied education. In healthcare, participants were given lower priority and received substandard care. Healthcare workers and police blamed participants for their health and legal problems, and denied them services. From police, participants also experienced physical and sexual assault, theft, extortion for sex or money, and arbitrary arrest and detention. Participants had difficulty obtaining identification documents that matched their gender identity, sometimes being forced to alter their appearance or being denied an identification card. Service providers not only failed to meet the specific needs of trans women but also discriminated against them when they sought services, exacerbating their economic, health, and social vulnerability. Although international and regional resolutions call for the legal protection of transgender people, states do not meet these obligations. To respect, promote, and fulfill trans women's human rights, governments should enact and enforce antidiscrimination and gender-affirming laws and policies. Governments should also sensitize providers to deliver gender-affirming services.

Gender-Based Violence among Married Women in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study.

Gender-based violence is one of the major public health problems in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the perception and attitude of the community towards gender-based violence among married women in Northwest Ethiopia. A qualitative study was conducted using the purposive sampling technique for the three focus group discussions and ten in-depth interviews among married women. Data was analyzed thematically using version 3.4 of the Open Code Software. Most of the participants perceived that gender-based violence was acceptable in the community, violent acts needed to be considerably tolerated rather than condemned. Additionally, participants perceived that the consequences of gender-based violence were mild, and its elimination was difficult. Domestic violence was found to be common, marital rape was not clearly understood, and there was no tendency to disapprove it. This study revealed that the attitude of people and traditional norms played the major role in determining the acceptability of gender-based violence on married women. Increasing awareness on the consequences of gender-based violence, strengthening of women empowerment, involving different stakeholders on the provision of education, amending and enforcing the existing laws, and providing professional help to stop or reduce violence against women are recommended.

A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Feminist Beliefs and Feminist Identity Development Among College Women Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

ABSTRACTUsing a mixed-methods approach, we explored how college women’s lifetime experiences of physical or sexual gender-based violence (GBV) were associated with appraisals of GBV and their feminist beliefs or identity (N = 32). Women commented on their increased awareness of the prevalence of GBV, their desire to help other women, and their beliefs about the trustworthiness of men and the current state of gender equality. Women who perceived no or minimal influence of sexism on GBV attributed their GBV experiences to a flaw in themselves or the perpetrators (i.e., self-blame, poor vigilance) or as a reasonable disciplinary measure for their ‘misbehavior.’ We also found that some women reported agreement with pro-feminist beliefs, yet rejected a feminist identity. Our findings illustrate how feminist stigma and sexism might prevent women who endorse core feminist beliefs from characterizing GBV as a sexist event. Given the potential harmful consequences of GBV and other forms of sexism, connecting women with meaningful resources, such as empowering educational programs, nurturing peer-to-peer women’s support groups, and awareness campaigns, may help to facilitate sisterhood and alleviate distress. Our findings also support the need for clinical assessment of how GBV may have affected beliefs about gender, self, world, and others.

Mental health consequences of bride kidnapping in the Kyrgyz republic

The consequences of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Kyrgyz Republic have often remained outside of both police officers’ and mental health care specialists’ attention. Statistical data on gender-based violence in the Kyrgyz Republic are underestimated, given that the majority of victims prefer not to seek help at all. One of the types of GBV in the Kyrgyz Republic is bride kidnapping, which is still very popular in rural areas of the state. Brides, that were kidnapped, present common behaviors and symptoms, such as an submissiveness, idealization of a husband, numbing, permanent desire to please a mother-in-law and other relatives of higher status in the family. Problems with the urogenital system, such as signs of urethritis and cystitis, vaginal itching, menstrual irregularities are also very common among daughters-in-law who were brutally kidnapped and had been experiencing violence from members of their families. Authors present an algorithm of dealing with the problem, which has been already implemented as a pilot project in one of the regions of the state.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Palermo et al. Respond to "Disclosure of Gender-Based Violence"

In their commentary (1) on our article (2) examining reporting among survivors of gender-based violence, Beydoun and Beydoun provide an excellent overview of the current state of research on prevalence, disclosure, and health consequences of gender-based violence. We enthusiastically join their call for primary and secondary prevention efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence. However, to avoid oversimplifying a complex problem, further discussion is warranted surrounding their conclusion that men and women tend to be equally aggressive in intimate relationships. Specifically, there is little research to support or refute gender symmetry of intimate partner violence (IPV) in developing countries, because most research comes from developed countries (3–12). In addition, we highlight their important caveat that evidence globally suggests that the severity and consequences of IPV are not gender symmetrical. Despite the dual and complex nature of perpetration and victimization among intimate partners, the majority of large-scale surveys, particularly from developing countries, collect victimization information from women only (13, 14), or more recently, perpetration information from men only (15, 16). In one of the few studies to examine gender symmetry of IPV in a resource-poor setting, Kishor and Bradley (17) used data from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys in Ghana and Uganda. Prevalence rates of lifetime physical IPV were higher among women than men (19% vs. 10% in Ghana and 47% vs. 19% in Uganda), whereas lifetime rates of perpetration were lower among women than men (7% vs. 16% in Ghana and 6% vs. 41% in Uganda). Furthermore, violence perpetrated by men was more common, more severe, and more likely to result in injury (17). However, in a longitudinal study from the Cebu province in the Philippines, findings indicated higher rates of female-perpetrated versus male-perpetrated physical violence in the past 12 months (56% vs. 25%), yet comparable rates of victimization (28% among women vs. 31% among men); thus, the authors hypothesized that self-defense may have played a role in perpetration asymmetries (18). Reporting bias may also play a role; a meta-analysis indicated that individuals tend to report less perpetration than their partners would attribute to them, and this bias was larger for men (19). Lack of clear consensus on dynamics is also caused by data collection challenges; ethical standards recommend against conducting interviews with the man and woman in the same partnership to ensure the safety of the victim (20, 21). Therefore, we often lack generalizable evidence from both men and women experiencing the same dynamics and instead rely on separate samples drawn from the same population or triangulation through other data. Given the lack of consensus regarding the magnitude of gender asymmetries in IPV perpetration, we would like to reiterate the point made by Beydoun and Beydoun (1) regarding the severity and consequences of IPV. Studies consistently show that women are more likely than men to experience IPV-related injury (3, 4, 6–8, 17). Particularly telling is the study by Stockl et al. (22), which estimated that the global proportion of female homicides committed by an intimate partner is 6 times higher than that of male homicides. Moreover, women are more likely than men to experience sexual IPV (6, 8, 17), putting women at risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes, including gynecological symptoms, unwanted pregnancy, pregnancy loss, poor birth outcomes, and decreased access to prenatal care (23–29). Taken together, the body of evidence described above and by Beydoun and Beydoun (1) illustrates the need for more investigation on whether the gender symmetry of IPV perpetration found in developed settings is in fact mirrored in resource-poor settings. More importantly, caution is needed when interpreting symmetry of IPV perpetration findings for programming and policy purposes, because the severity and consequences of IPV are clearly not gender symmetrical.

Consequences Of Domestic Violence During Pregnancy

Although gender-based violence is prevalent in all societies however it is more widespread in Pakistan. Women of all ages, from birth to old age, are victims of violence. The consequences of gender-based violence are devastating not only for women but for the whole family. Violence against women is mostly treated as a private matter and hence goes unreported and thus its actual prevalence remains little known. There are many forms of gender-based-violence. Among these, violence during pregnancy is some what less discussed. The present study examines some aspects of violence during pregnancy by the husband, and looks at its health consequences. The study was conducted in a Katchi abadi (unauthorized settlement) of Karachi, among poor women. Findings show that prevalence of violence by husbands during pregnancy is high among study population.

Conflicts, gender-based violence and the ramifications for HIV and AIDS

This article attempts to contextuolise gender-based violence in relation to conflicts with special mention to conflicts on the African continent. Gender-based violence is framed within the oedipal complex of the dominance and submission model whereby dominance is asserted through violence. This model is also used to frame the context of conflicts as a masculine construction. Furthermore, the article highlights the causes and consequences of gender-based violence with regard to responses for psychosocial and medical treatment in the restoration and rehabilitation of post-conflict societies. Gender-based violence in the context of conflicts has serious ramifications for HIV and AIDS. Incubation periods for the HI virus are decreased when it is coupled together with psychosocial trauma and malnutrition. Therefore, gender-based violence and HIV and AIDS have serious implications in the context of conflicts due to adequate responses in the absence of rule of law and infrastructure to mete out treatment.