Gender-based violence awareness

Overview of gender-based violence

Definition and scope

Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to acts of violence directed at individuals based on their gender. It encompasses physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm carried out by intimate partners, family members, peers, or institutions. GBV is a violation of human rights and a public health concern that affects people across all ages, genders, and cultures, though the risk is disproportionately borne by women and girls and by people who do not conform to traditional gender norms.

Global prevalence and impact

GBV is a widespread problem with consequences that extend beyond individual survivors. It disrupts health, safety, and stability, undermines productivity and education, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. While women and girls are most often affected, men, boys, and non-binary individuals also experience forms of GBV. In diverse settings—whether urban or rural, stable or conflict-affected—the prevalence reflects broader patterns of discrimination, stigma, and unequal power relations that limit access to protection and justice.

Why awareness matters

Awareness is foundational to prevention and response. It helps communities recognize signs of GBV, reduces stigma that silences survivors, and supports timely reporting and access to services. An informed public can advocate for stronger policies, allocate resources to prevention and care, and foster social norms that reject violence and uphold gender equality.

Forms of gender-based violence

Physical violence

Physical violence includes hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, choking, and other forms of harm that injure the body. It can occur in intimate relationships, within families, or in public and workplace settings. The consequences extend beyond immediate injuries, often leading to chronic pain, disability, sleep disturbances, and long-term health problems.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence encompasses acts such as coercive sex, rape, sexual assault, harassment, and exploitation. It perpetrates trauma, undermines autonomy, and can have enduring physical and mental health effects. Sexual violence is frequently underreported due to fear, stigma, and concerns about legal or social repercussions.

Emotional and psychological abuse

Emotional and psychological abuse involves manipulation, humiliation, threats, intimidation, and controlling behavior that erodes self-worth and autonomy. It often occurs alongside other forms of violence and can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties forming healthy relationships in the future.

Economic violence and coercive control

Economic violence includes controlling finances, restricting access to work or education, withholding money, and preventing independence. Coercive control creates an environment in which survivors have limited freedom to make choices, impacting long-term financial security and social participation.

Root causes and risk factors

Gender norms and power imbalances

GBV is rooted in unequal gender norms and power structures that condense social value around masculinity and femininity. From early socialization, people learn expectations about control, submission, and male authority. These norms normalize violence as a conflict-resolution tool and hinder equality in relationships, communities, and institutions.

Conflict, displacement and humanitarian settings

In conflict and displacement, protection systems weaken, legal avenues falter, and resources become scarce. Vulnerability rises as families face stress, displacement, and breakdowns in social networks. In such contexts, violence against women, girls, and other marginalized groups often increases, with survivors facing barriers to reporting and care.

Socioeconomic factors and access to resources

Poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare heighten GBV risk. Economic dependence can trap survivors in abusive situations, while inequities in resources, legal protection, and social support amplify vulnerability. Disparities based on race, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation intersect to shape different GBV experiences and barriers to help-seeking.

Effects on survivors and communities

Physical and mental health impacts

Survivors may experience acute injuries, chronic health problems, reproductive health issues, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of infectious diseases. Mental health effects often include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and a sense of powerlessness. The cumulative burden can affect family dynamics and community well-being.

Economic and educational consequences

GBV frequently disrupts education and employment, leading to income loss, reduced opportunities, and long-term economic instability. Survivors may face barriers to work, caregiving demands, and stigma that limits access to services, compounding cycles of poverty and dependency.

Intergenerational effects

Violence can influence family environments and parenting, shaping children’s safety, attachment, and development. Exposure to GBV increases the risk of psychological distress and adverse educational outcomes for children, perpetuating cycles of inequality unless effective supports and protections are in place.

Awareness and education strategies

School-based curricula and safe learning environments

Comprehensive, age-appropriate curricula on consent, healthy relationships, and gender equality are essential. Safe learning environments—where students can report concerns without fear of retaliation—contribute to early prevention and empower youth to challenge harmful norms. Teacher training and supportive policies reinforce protective practices within schools.

Community campaigns and outreach

Community-led campaigns engage local leaders, faith groups, and organizations to promote respectful behaviors and nondiscrimination. Outreach should include information on reporting channels, support services, and bystander strategies, using culturally sensitive messaging and accessible formats.

Media literacy and digital awareness

Media literacy helps individuals critically analyze portrayals of gender, power, and violence. Digital awareness programs address online harassment, privacy, consent, and safe online interactions. Equipping communities with these skills reduces exposure to harmful norms and supports responsible digital citizenship.

Prevention and intervention

Policy and legal frameworks

Strong laws and clear implementation mechanisms—criminalizing GBV, protecting survivors, and enabling reporting—are foundational. Effective frameworks require coordinated enforcement, accessible justice, and accountability for perpetrators, along with resources to sustain protective measures and services.

Support services and referral networks

Integrated services—hotlines, shelters, medical care, mental health support, and legal aid—enhance survivor resilience. Multisectoral referral networks ensure survivors can access coordinated care, reducing the burden of navigating multiple systems alone.

Bystander intervention and safety planning

Training communities to safely intervene when witnessing abuse can interrupt violence and reduce harm. Safety planning helps survivors assess risks, identify trusted contacts, and access immediate protection and resources when needed.

Training for professionals and frontline workers

Trauma-informed approaches for healthcare providers, educators, police, and social workers improve identification, response, and referrals. Ongoing training emphasizes respectful communication, confidentiality, cultural competence, and survivor-centered care.

Resources for survivors

Emergency contacts and helplines

Accessible, multilingual helplines and emergency numbers provide rapid support, safety planning, and information about next steps. confidentiality and responsiveness are critical to encouraging survivors to seek help.

Shelters and legal aid

Safe housing options and legal assistance help survivors escape danger and navigate protective orders, custody concerns, and court processes. Access to affordable, rights-based services is essential for long-term safety and autonomy.

Medical and psychosocial support

Immediate medical care, reproductive health services, and evidence-based mental health support address the physical and emotional consequences of GBV. Integrated care models reduce barriers to healing and promote resilience.

Measurement, data, and accountability

Indicators and data collection methods

Robust indicators include incidence and prevalence rates, service utilization, reporting timeliness, and outcomes for survivors. Data collection should be disaggregated by age, gender, location, and other relevant factors to identify gaps and track progress.

Monitoring progress and reporting

Regular monitoring through national surveys, facility records, and program evaluations supports accountability. Public dashboards and annual reports increase transparency and guide policy adjustments and funding decisions.

Research gaps and evidence-based practice

Key gaps include underreporting, the effectiveness of different prevention approaches, and long-term survivor outcomes. Prioritizing rigorous evaluations, implementation science, and data sharing strengthens evidence-based practice and policy.

Policy and advocacy

National and international guidelines

Global standards—from organizations like the World Health Organization and United Nations—inform national strategies that address prevention, protection, and rights-based responses. Aligning policies with evidence-based guidelines ensures coherence across sectors.

Funding, partnerships, and coalitions

Sustainable funding and multi-stakeholder partnerships—governments, civil society, health systems, education sectors, and the private sector—are essential to scale prevention, services, and prevention programming. Coalitions amplify impact and coordinate action.

Public awareness campaigns and legislative reform

Public campaigns help normalize reporting, challenge harmful norms, and support survivors. Legislative reform—strengthened protections, funding allocations, and enforcement mechanisms—drives systemic change and accountability.

Trusted Source Insight

Trusted Source Insight: https://www.unesco.org UNESCO emphasizes education as a core tool for GBV prevention, advocating inclusive curricula, safe learning environments, and evidence-based policy guidance. It highlights how education systems shape attitudes, norms, and behaviors to reduce gender-based violence and promote gender equality.