Perpetration Of Gender-based Violence Research Articles

Exploring the lived experiences of gender-based violence survivors among female sex -workers in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a global challenge, with women and young girls being the major victims. Female sex workers are also adversely affected. However, there is limited evidence about the lived experiences and coping strategies of Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Hence, this study was guided by objectives that focused on determining: the effect of GBV on FSW in Rivers State and coping strategies adopted by Gender-based violence survivors to manage the challenges associated with it. Data were collected from 12 female sex workers using semi-structured interviews and were analyzed thematically using the NVivo12 software. Findings showed that enforcement agents, intimate partners, relatives, friends, clients, and recruiters were perpetrators of gender-based violence. The participants identified their lack of agency, poverty, lack of alternative means of livelihood, and desire to protect their parents as drivers of gender-based violence. The participants admitted having experienced physical and mental health challenges. The participants adopted several coping mechanisms: substance abuse, religion, self-defence, and relocation. The researchers concluded that increased awareness about available services, unbiased service provision, designated human rights officers, and prosecution of perpetrators would encourage disclosure and boost access and uptake of services.

Gender-Based Violence and Patriarchy: Nigeria’s Experience

Gender-based violence, which is mostly a physical, psychological, structural and/or cultural abuse of women by the male folk, has been a social malaise militating against women across Africa, and this is largely believed to be so because of the perceived complicity of Africa’s cultures which advertently or inadvertently favour patriarchy – a cultural belief and practice that places higher premiums on the male child over and above the female child. The recent upsurge in gender-based violence, particularly rape in Nigeria has raised serious concerns among scholars and concerned stakeholders as to whether the female folk have now become sub-human before the male folk. This paper, was therefore, aimed at interrogating the issue of violence against women, with a focus on exploring recent incidences of gender-based violence, particularly rape in Nigeria. Secondary sources of data (i.e. published articles, textbooks, the internet, etc.) were used. Findings revealed gender-based violence in Nigeria to be largely influenced by the age-long patriarchal practices. It was therefore, concluded that with a lack of severe punishment for the perpetrators of gender-based violence, coupled with a gross lack of cultural re-orientation to see women as having coordinate status as men, the issue of men-dominated gender-based violence will go on unabated in Nigeria. The paper equally offered germane recommendations.

Gender-based violence against female sex workers in Nigeria: how helpful are grassroot interventions?

Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV) against female sex workers (FSWs) increases their risk of unwanted pregnancies, abortion, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hence, this study aims to assess the impacts of grassroots interventions on GBV against FSW in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional baseline-post-intervention survey using a randomized cluster sampling technique. It was carried out in six local governments of the State using structured questionnaires to collect data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: This study comprised 446 FSWs with 223 from each baseline and intervention survey. The prevalence of GBV was 48.0% in the baseline and 59.2% in the intervention (P<0.001). The most common GBV were being beaten/battered/kicked (26.0%) in the baseline and 30.9% in the intervention (P>0.05). Paying partners (65.6%), the police (53.0%), and vigilantes (30.3%) were the top perpetrators of GBV in the post-intervention study, higher than 41.3%, 17.5%, and 3.9% in the baseline (P<0.001). Access to health care services after GBV was 43.0% in the baseline and 72.7% in the intervention (P<0.001). Only 24.2% of post-intervention respondents would keep cases of GBV to themselves instead of reporting them to appropriate authorities, compared to 53.3% in baseline (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study recorded higher reports of GBV among the FSWs after the intervention than at the baseline, in which most cases of GBV were underreported. The increased ability to report cases among FSWs after intervention helped to improve the boldness of the victims in reporting the GBV.

Of seduction and male abuse: Exploring the less-talked-about using Tamar’s stratagem (Gn 37–38)

Gender-based violence has often been framed and perceived as exclusively a women’s issue. As a result, terms such as ‘violence against women’ and ‘gender-based violence’ have often been understood and used interchangeably. In the fight and campaign against gender-based violence, men have been reckoned to be the most common culprits behind fuelling violence against women. While indeed to a large extent men are the perpetrators of gender-based violence, little attention, however, has been paid to at least two things: the loose usage of the term ‘gender’ as if exclusive of men, as well as the violence that some men suffer at the hands of some women. It was the thrust of this article to bring on the table the less-talked-about sexual abuse that some men suffer at the hands of some young women using Tamar’s trapping of Judah as an entry point into the discussion. Using a socio-anthropological approach, the article argued that the behaviour of some young women towards men older than themselves through manipulating their sexual weakness is a form of gender-based violence that calls for a redress.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The theme of gender-based violence is by definition of multidisciplinary interest. This contribution highlighted the less-talked-about abuse of men, which is also of significance within multiple disciplines including biblical studies, social anthropology, theology, cultural studies and even history.

Access to information on gender-based violence prevention during COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

During the lockdowns to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, women and girls, disproportionately, had increased exposure to gender-based violence (GBV). Access to high-quality and empowering information or knowledge to minimise the incidences of GBV for women, girls, men and boys, was, therefore, crucial. The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of the individuals who were unable to access such information, and if received information, was associated with more awareness in the populace. The data analysed were from a cross-sectional nationally representative phone survey of individuals aged 18 years and above from all four regions of Uganda. The survey was carried out by Uganda Bureau of Statistics using a purely quantitative approach, and all questions were closed-ended. The sample was stratified by sex, age, and geographical region, and executed in November 2020, six months after COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Binary logistic regression analysis was used for data analysis in STATA software. Female respondents with tertiary education (OR=0.47; 95% CI=0.26, 0.85) and male respondents with tertiary education (OR=0.70; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.00) were more likely to receive information on GBV prevention. Both female (aOR=0.68; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.88) and male (aOR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.87) respondents who were working had about a third the odds of being unable to access information about GBV prevention. Female respondents living in urban areas were associated with less odds of being unable to access the information (aOR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.59, 1.00), while unmarried male respondents had higher odds of being unable to access the information (aOR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.89). Respondents who reported being vulnerable to GBV were also more likely to know someone who experienced GBV. This was similar for female respondents (PR=3.00; 95% CI: 2.26, 3.98) and male respondents (PR=3.01, 95% CI: 2.3, 3.95) (PR=5.49; 95% CI=4.12-7.30). Results also indicated that both male (PR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.43) and female respondents (PR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.37) who did not perceive themselves at risk of GBV were less likely to know a GBV survivor. The individuals who were unable to access information had characteristics associated with GBV perpetration or victimization. Monitoring the dissemination and quality of information empowers individuals and communities to develop local solutions to GBV prevention and protection. The design of GBV prevention messages and delivery channels needs to take into consideration the risk factors at the different levels of the socio-ecological model (individual, community, institutional, and society). Interventions aimed at increasing access to information on GBV prevention should consider the different socio-demographic as well as context-specific factors. There was no funding source for this study.

"I Reject it, But That's What Normally Happens": Grey Zones of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Roles in Young People.

There has been growing concern about the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) among young people. The aim of this study was to explore the grey zones in GBV alongside gender (masculinities and femininities) discourses in young adults. We used the concept of a "grey zone" as an analytical tool to identify possible contradictory discursive positions where the notions of victims and perpetrators of GBV converge and become ambiguous. We performed a qualitative study based on 20 semi-structured interviews and 4 focus groups (October 2019 to February 2020) in Spain with a sample of 49 cisgender women and men, aged between 18 and 24, some involved in feminist activism and some not. We conducted a sociological analysis of the discourse system. Study findings show how culturally constructed gender norms intervene in the ways in which young people understand and deal with GBV. When asked general questions about GBV, this concept was problematized along with gender assumptions and two discursive positions were identified: the discourse of "men as authors of GBV" and the discourse of "GBV as an individual genderless issue." When vignettes of everyday GBV situations were shown, grey zones became visible when discussing subtle forms of GBV influenced by the myths of romantic love, victim-blaming around sexual violence, digital GBV and bystander men intervention on GBV. In those grey zones, discourses on GBV were articulated around unequal notions of gender that, in turn, served as its justification, reproduction, and normalization. The grey zones identified represent contexts of oppression that illustrate how GBV is systematically reproduced, as well as the ways in which young people can be involved in it, perpetuating power and health inequalities. Our findings provide information as a guide to design GBV interventions and prevention actions that incorporate a focus on gender configurations.

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.

Men’s narratives of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Oppressor and oppressed

This article explores men’s narratives as perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was a surge in gender-based violence during the pandemic, femicide and gender-based violence were a problem in South Africa even before the pandemic. Despite research indicating that men are statistically the perpetrators of GBV, there is a paucity of research on engaging men in South Africa. We wanted to understand the context in which GBV took place during a national disaster, to inform GBV prevention strategies. The study therefore aimed to explore men’s narratives of GBV during COVID-19 and the professionals working with the men to include the views of perpetrators in GBV policy and practice. A qualitative case study design was employed, and postcolonial feminism was used as the theoretical framework. The target population consists of men who have committed GBV, social workers, community workers and police. Eleven men who committed acts of GBV during the pandemic were interviewed, as well as 15 social workers and police officers who work in three rural regions in the Western Cape, South Africa. The results show that the participants were perpetrators of GBV, but that they returned to the same relationship after having been arrested for GBV. There was a lack of resources for perpetrators of GBV during the pandemic. The findings also reveal men’s normative role expectations and their positionality during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the legacy of racialized oppression persists in rural communities. The implications are that GBV prevention should consider the postcolonial context of men who are violent.

Education of experts in centers for social work in the Republic of Serbia in the domain of gender-based violence

Professionals (experts) employed in centers for social work have a crucial role in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. The aim of the research was to examine and present the current situation related to the education of experts and opportunities for acquiring specialized knowledge about gender-based violence. Data collection was carried out using a survey technique (online questionnaire) and later processed through a descriptive method, statistical inference and content analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from a sample of 74 respondents from 26 districts in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. According to the results, 87.8% of the respondents believe that the knowledge they received during the education process is insufficient for work in gender-based violence. Out of the total number, 67.6% did not have courses/subjects related to gender-based violence during their studies. At the same time, more than half of the respondents did not attend officially accredited training available in Serbia. The results indicate the need for improving educational content in two important areas: 1) individual work with victims and perpetrators of gender-based violence and 2) the structural nature of gender-based violence and the possibilities of prevention.

AGENSI LAKI-LAKI DALAM PENCEGAHAN KEKERASAN BERBASIS GENDER DALAM KELUARGA: STUDI KELUARGA DESA JETIS, SAPTOSARI, GUNUNGKIDUL

The majority of men are perpetrators of gender-based violence in the family. Meanwhile, men who are not perpetrators of violence, often choose to be the silent majority, because they consider violence to be in the private sphere. Involving men in the discourse and practice of gender-aware education is expected to change the perspective and attitude of men in seeing women. This is done to decide and reduce the number of violence against women and children. This study focuses on the agency of men in efforts to prevent gender-based violence in the family and to achieve gender justice in the family. Using descriptive qualitative methods with observation and interview models, the resource persons were taken from participants who took part in the father's class program and community facilitators from Rifka Aniisa WCC. This study shows that the process of building agent awareness begins through the reinterpretation of religious texts with religious leaders. This interpretation provides new understanding to the participants in the father class discussion regarding relationships with partners based on monotheism. Practical awareness is achieved by agents through assertive communication with partners. Agents reflect on material learned in class with a partner. The results of these reflections become the basis for producing a just social system in the family and society. Keyword: Gender Equality and Justice, Rifka Annisa, Agen and Strucutre

Editor's Note Volume 5, Issue 2

To our readers, welcome to the second half of 2022. Thank you to the readers for supporting us and our appreciation to the authors for continuing their passion of research within all topics concerning sexuality, gender policies, and reproductive justice. We are making sure your dedication never goes unnoticed. It is my pleasure to present Volume 5, Issue 2 of SGP, our second issue of the year joining this transition into the winter season. The current issue enlightens us with four additional scholarly works, three research articles and one book review. Introducing “Religion, Homosexuality and the EU: Grasping the Beliefs of Romanian Orthodox Priests,” authors Sergiu Gherghina, Sergiu Miscoiu, and Dragoș Șamșudean bring attention the contrast between the European Union and the Church. The article addresses that there are “very little [known] about how the priests perceive the relationship between homosexuality and the EU. The priests' beliefs and opinions can provide insights into what is beyond the official Church statements.” The authors analyze the ways in which the Romanian Orthodox priests link the EU and the topic of homosexuality, as well as address that gap in early “research illustrates that the Church opposes the EU as a promoter of homosexuality and brings a critique based on national identity.” Using a qualitative study method, the findings “indicate the existence of three main points of criticism against what the respondents perceive as an increasing pressure by the EU to adopt a favorable treatment of homosexuals.” Presenting “Sexuality Education as Developmentally Appropriate in the American Catholic Higher Education Curriculum” by Mark Levand, this research article delves into institutions of higher learning to include academy engagement with sexuality education in recent years, more specifically Catholic colleges and universities. Throughout this research article, Levland identifies “the breadth and complexity of what is meant by ‘sexuality’ followed by the social and cognitive developmental theories that substantiate the need for sexuality information at the college level.” We also present “Teachers as perpetrators of gender-based violence against girl-students within Schools: Voices of victims in Tanzania reveals” by Mgambi Msafiri, Antony Fute, and Amani Abisai Lyanga. The authors explore girls' experience of gender-related violent acts within schools. Through intensive interviews and document analysis have then revealed several incidents where teachers perpetrate gender-based violence against girls in schools through a qualitative approach. Msafiri's defining point shows that sexual harassment, especially male teachers who forcibly want sexual affairs with their girl-students, has been reported by most students. This new study informs the global community about the importance of following closely on girls' life in schools to achieve UNESCO's future agenda of 2030. Finally, in this issue, we include a review of Lawrence La Fountain-Stokes' news book, Translocas: The Politics of Puerto Rican Drag and Trans Performance (University of Michigan Press, 2021) by Javier R. Franco. Translocas studies migration, transvestism, and performance in Puerto Rico, proposing that drag culture not only challenges notions of gender and sexuality but also addresses commodification, diasporic displacements, cyberspace, and reenactments of home, race, ethnicity, class, poverty, racial passing, and politics. As in the previous issues, we have sought to structure and lay the groundwork for further debate on the fundamental issues of sexuality, gender, and policy. Thank you for your interest and your contributions as we continue to build this journal. We are eager for the continued development of research in the field for Sexuality, Gender & Policy. We are happy to communicate to our readers that starting in 2023, our journal will have four issues a year. Thus, we invite you to send your submissions to our editorial team. SPG, Editorial Team

Gender-based Violence against Men and Boys: A Hidden Problem

The victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are commonly women and girls, but it is undeniable that men and boys are also targeted. It is thus a travesty that males who experience GBV receive less attention than females and that such cases remain hidden. This paper focused on GBV that is directed at men and boys by females. A systematic literature review was conducted, and it was found that male victims of GBV are not given adequate support. The review also revealed that, while society is quick to condemn and publicly denounce male perpetrators of GBV, it does not accord the same attention to females who victimize and abuse men and boys. The authors of this paper recommended support for male victims of GBV as they experience anxiety and trauma to the same degree that females do. It is important that the GBV regulatory framework be reviewed to render it gender neutral.

Anxiety and prior victimization predict online gender-based violence perpetration among Indonesian young adults during COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study

BackgroundMost of human interactions moved to the cyberspace for much of the pandemic. It was no surprise that online violence was also on the rise. One of the objectives of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors of online gender-based violence (OGBV) perpetration during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThe final analysis included 1006 respondents, 84.2% of whom were women and 94.5% were heterosexual. Over 60% of respondents admitted having perpetrated at least one type of OGBV once. It included 58.6% of women who admitted having perpetrated OGBV. Logistic regression analysis identified anxiety, online disinhibition, and history of victimization as independent risk factors of perpetration with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.82 (95% CI 1.30–2.56), 1.38 (95% CI 1.03–1.85), and 9.72 (95% CI 5.11–18.51), respectively. Sub-group analysis that identified these factors also facilitated increased frequency and severity of OGBV perpetration.ConclusionsWe found a high proportion of OGBV perpetration among young adults during the pandemic among all genders although women were grossly overrepresented among the respondents. Risk factors of perpetration included anxiety, online disinhibition, and prior victimization. The pandemic situation which heightened general anxiety and increased dependency on online communication may facilitate the perpetration of OGBV. The generalization of this result should pay attention to the caveat that the demographic of respondents is heavily skewed toward women.

Stressful life events: Typology of aggression and mistreatment in male perpetrators of gender-based violence.

The objective of this study was to analyze groups based on the stressful life events suffered and to know the relationship of these profiles with the type of abuse exercised against women in the couple. A sample of 118 heterosexual men who perpetrated gender-based violence was used, with a mean age of 40.46 years (SD = 11.14). The results show that those who suffered a greater number of adverse experiences abused their partners more frequently and with a more aggravated character. In addition, knowing typologies based on previous stressful life events could favor specific interventions in the elimination of the normalization of violence as a maladaptive relational strategy. It is necessary to continue investigating the characteristics of men who exercise gender-based violence, as well as to analyze previous exposure to violence in the family of origin due to the influence it exerts on subsequent abuse.

The scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) on women plaguing South Africa

Despite the existence of a constitutional legal framework, criminal sanctions to address violent behaviour by men are not enough. The killing of women by men has reached a disproportionate crescendo in South Africa. It is critical, that as a society we denounce the continuation of this trend and address the underlying causes of violent masculinity and physical abuse against women. Social norms, religious and traditional values, patriarchy, and gender relationships contribute to dominant notions of masculinity, which eventually undermine women's inalienable right of existence. Developing strategies to mitigate against intimate partner Gender-Based Violence is imperatively needed to curb these physical attacks on women. The purpose of this article is to highlight some forms and the causes of Gender-Based Violence, the impact of it, and with aim of finding lasting solutions to it. Some of the findings of the author are, first, religion has played a fundamental role to perpetuate gender-based Violence on women over time. Second, a clear understanding of different types of Gender-Based Violence is needed by both men and women in society before. Gender-Based Violence if not controlled and eliminated can lead to femicide as we have seen in South Africa in recent years. Third, more protective laws for women need to be properly implemented within our criminal justice process. Tougher and stiffer punishment for perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence is needed to curb the scourge of femicide, plaguing us in South Africa.

Conceptual Development and Content Validation of a Multicultural Instrument to Assess the Normalization of Gender-Based Violence against Women

The normalization of gender-based violence (GBV) consists of all those cultural beliefs and values that sustain, justify, or minimize GBV perpetration. Acknowledging the lack of instruments addressing the normalization of GBV and its constitutive sociocultural dimensions, this article presents the conceptual development and initial validation of the Normalization of gender-based violence against women scale. This 18-item instrument could be used to assess the normalization of violence against women in GBV survivors of various cultural contexts. The scale has been developed through a sizeable mixed-methods study. This paper reports the qualitative portion of the study that allowed the development of the instrument and assessment of its content and face validity. In particular, the method section details the process by which the assessed scale’s domain has been identified through an expert panel workshop, the analysis of GBV survivor’s interviews, and the review of existing scales. The assessment of face and content validity, trough expert judges’ evaluation and Cognitive Interviewing, is presented. This instrument is the first normalization scale developed by a multicultural team for use with violence survivors. The techniques used to construct this scale aimed to capture cultural aspects of normalization that might be shared across women from diverse groups. Therefore, its use could enable social or health care providers worldwide to program or evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to contrast GBV by promoting a clearer understanding of cultural and social norms that sustain the acceptance and normalization of violence.

Factors Associated with Gender-Based Violence Perpetration by Male High School Students in Eastern Ethiopia.

Gender-based violence (GBV) perpetration is a severe problem among youths in schools and the community at large. As most studies focused on adults, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with GBV by male high school students in eastern Ethiopia. An institutional based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,109 male students aged 15-24 years in eastern Ethiopia in December 2018 using self-administered WHO Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Life Events and UN Multi-Country study on perpetration. Poisson regression model was used to determine the prevalence ratio. Multivariable analysis showed that having girlfriend, chewing khat, drinking alcohol, watching pornography and being sexually active increased the prevalence of perpetrating any type of GBV (emotional, physical, sexual, and overall GBV) by young male in the last 12 months. Compared to those who did not smoke tobacco, smokers had an prevalence of perpetrating emotional violence (adj. PrR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.03-1.44) and any type of GBV (adj. PrR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.00-1.31). Young males who had a mother who had completed Grade 9-12 (adj. PrR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59-0.96) had a 25% lower prevalence of perpetrating emotional violence compared to male students who had an illiterate mother. Young males who had used illicit drugs, smoked shisha (adj. PrR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10-1.77), and were married (adj. PrR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.15-3.12) had a higher prevalence of perpetrating sexual violence compared to young males who hadn't used smoked shisha and were not married, respectively. Young males who had discussed reproductive health with their family (adj. PrR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03-1.24) and who chewed khat (adj. PrR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.02-1.55) had a higher prevalence of perpetrating any GBV compared to young men who hadn't discussed reproductive health with their parents and who hadn't chewed khat, respectively. Any type of GBV (emotional, sexual, or physical violence) was significantly associated with several individual and relationship factors. Effective prevention and intervention programs should be focused on education of the influence of pornography, prevention of substance use and interventions for those in romantic relationships could all assist in reducing GBV.

Effect of a Community-Based Gender Norms Program on Sexual Violence Perpetration by Adolescent Boys and Young Men

Engaging adolescent boys and young men in preventing violence against women is a potentially impactful public health strategy. To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based, gender-transformative program (ie, Manhood 2.0) on perpetration of gender-based violence by adolescent boys and young men. In this unblinded cluster randomized clinical trial, neighborhoods were designated as the unit of clustering (1:1 allocation). Three-month (ie, time point 2 [T2]) and 9-month (ie, time point 3 [T3]) follow-ups were conducted. The trial took place in 20 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, neighborhoods and 1 centrally located site with concentrated disadvantage. Pittsburgh-based adolescent boys and young men (ages 13 to 19 years) were recruited between July 27, 2015, and June 5, 2017, through youth-serving organizations and community-based alternatives to residential placement for juvenile justice-involved youth. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted from June 2018 to November 2019. Manhood 2.0, an international program adapted for adolescent boys and young men in US urban communities, encourages these individuals to challenge gender norms that foster violence against women and unhealthy sexual relationships. Individuals in the control population received job-readiness training. Each program was 18 hours. The primary outcome was change in participant-level perpetration of sexual violence (SV) or adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) at T3. Among 866 participants, 465 individuals (54%) enrolled in 11 intervention clusters and 401 individuals (46%) enrolled in 10 control clusters. In the intervention group, 325 participants (70%) were analyzed at T2 and 334 participants (72%) were analyzed at T3; in the control group, 262 participants (65%) were analyzed at T2 and 301 participants (75%) were analyzed at T3. Mean (SD) age was 15.5 (1.6) years; 609 participants (70%) self-identified as non-Hispanic Black, and 178 (20%) self-identified as Hispanic, multiracial, or other race/ethnicity other than White. Among individuals in the intervention group, 296 participants (64%) reported any SV or ARA perpetration at baseline, and 173 participants (52%) reported any SV or ARA perpetration at T3. Among individuals in the control group, 213 participants (53%) reported any SV or ARA perpetration at baseline, and 124 participants (41%) reported any SV or ARA perpetration at T3). The difference in reduction between groups was not significant. There was no evidence of an intervention effect for the primary outcome (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% CI, 0.86-2.01; P = .20). The findings from this evaluation of a community-based gender-transformative program for adolescent boys and young men did not show a significant intervention effect in reducing SV or ARA perpetration between Manhood 2.0 and a job-readiness control program. Combining gender-transformative approaches with job-readiness programs may be relevant for violence prevention in low-resource urban settings. Attention to improving implementation and strategies to sustain such community-based efforts are needed. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02427061.

Gender-Based Violence Perpetration by Male High School Students in Eastern Ethiopia.

Gender-based violence (GBV) perpetration is a global public health problem due to its detrimental effect on health and education. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gender-based violence perpetration by male students in eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Ethiopia in December 2018. A total of 1064 male students were involved in the study. Data were collected using an adaptation of the WHO Multi-Country Study self-administered questionnaire on the Women Health and Life Event. Descriptive statistics were calculated using STATA version 14. The prevalence of gender-based violence committed by a male in the last 12 months was 55.83% (95% CI: 52.84–58.82%). The prevalence of emotional abuse against an intimate or non-partner was 45.86% (95% CI: 42.87–48.86%), physical abuse was 45.77% (95% CI: 42.77–48.77%), and sexual abuse was 31.11% (95% CI: 28.32–33.90%). The perpetration of multiple types of gender-based violence (emotional, physical, and sexual) was 47.15% (95% CI: 43.15–51.25%), with 17.72% (95% CI: 14.75–21.03%) reporting emotionally and physically violent acts, 14.21% (95% CI: 11.51–17.27%) reporting emotionally violent acts only, and 12.88% (95% CI: 10.29–15.82%) reporting physically violent acts only. There were statistically significant differences between the age of participants who committed acts of all forms of GBV in the “ever” timeframe and the past 12 months (p < 0.001). Effective prevention and intervention strategies should be developed at the school level to reduce gender-based violence perpetration.

Interventions to reduce gender-based violence among young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in low-income and middle-income countries.

This study explored the effectiveness of gender-based violence (GBV) interventions on young people living with or affected by HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Systematic review and meta-analysis. We pre-registered a protocol, then searched 13 databases and grey literature. We screened randomized and quasi-experimental studies (n = 2199) of young people (aged 10-24) living with or affected by HIV in LMICs. Outcomes were GBV and/or GBV-related attitudes. We appraised the data for risk of bias and quality of evidence. Narrative syntheses and multilevel random effects meta-analyses were conducted. We included 18 studies evaluating 21 interventions. Intervention arms were categorized as: sexual health and social empowerment (SHSE; n = 7); SHSE combined with economic strengthening (n = 4); self-defence (n = 3); safer schools (n = 2); economic strengthening only (n = 2); GBV sensitization (n = 2) and safer schools and parenting (n = 1). Risk of bias was moderate/high and quality of evidence low. Narrative syntheses indicated promising effects on GBV exposure, but no or mixed effects on GBV perpetration and attitudes for self-defence and GBV sensitization interventions. Safer school interventions showed no effects. For SHSE interventions and SHSE combined with economic strengthening, meta-analyses showed a small reduction in GBV exposure but not perpetration. Economic-only interventions had no overall effect. SHSE, SHSE plus and self-defence and gender sensitization interventions may be effective for GBV exposure and GBV-related attitudes but not for GBV perpetration. However, the quality of evidence is poor. Future intervention research must include both boys and girls, adolescents living with HIV and key populations.