Gender-Based Violence (GBV) exists on a spectrum, reflecting the diverse and
multifaceted nature of violence tied together. On the one end of the spectrum is harmful
acts directed at individuals or groups based on their gender and on the other is a wide
range of behaviors that target individuals based on their gender or perceived gender
roles. This type of violence is rooted in unequal power dynamics between genders and
is a violation of human rights. These harmful acts and behaviors cause tremendous
physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm or suffering to the victim. The scary
thing about GBV is that it occurs everywhere, at any time and may be perpetuated by
any person, it does not prefer the poor over the rich or the illiterate house wife over the
career woman with a promising future on the cooperate ladder, it knows no class or
social status. Various forms of GBV are found in various settings, including homes,
workplaces, communities, and institutions.
It is important that effective steps are taken at all levels to address GBV. Over and
above GBV being an outright violation of human rights that needs to be addressed in
order to ensure that everyone lives free from violence despite their gender, it impacts
individuals, communities, and societies on multiple levels. From how acts of violence
leave physical and psychological scars on the victim, thus endangering their life; to its
economic implications that leave survivors unable to contribute meaningfully in the
economic development of their families, societies and countries and the financial strain
it puts on government resources; and how it destabilizes societies.
The question worth answering today is how modern society should propel forward the
fight against GBV, towards a winning goal, a violence free society. GBV is deeply entrenched in patriarchal norms that hold unequal power dynamics, by challenging
these structures, feminism addresses patriarchy as the root cause of GBV, while
recognizing the intersectionality of GBV with various forms of subjugation and
discrimination such as those based on race, class, sexuality, religious beliefs and more,
feminism therefore offers an inclusive fight against GBV that addresses the unique
challenges faced by individuals with diverse identities. This approach, however, requires
commitment to continuous interrogation of what patriarchy is within the context of a
specific society because patriarchal oppression is not the same everywhere, it
manifests through different systemic practices in different societies, countries and
regions. The African Feminist Forum 8 captures this in ways that motivate
thoughtfulness and consideration in trying to understand the importance of feminism,
particularly for African women, thus,
“Patriarchy varies in time and space, meaning that it changes over time, and
varies according to class, race, ethnic, religious and global imperial relationships
and structures. Furthermore, in the current conjunctures, patriarchy does not
simply change according to these factors, but is inter-related with and informs
relationships of class, race, ethnic, religious, and global-imperialism. Thus to
challenge patriarchy effectively also requires challenging other systems of
oppression and exploitation, which frequently mutually support each other.”
Educational empowerment and awareness raising are at the centre of any movement,
feminism plays an integral role in challenging harmful stereotypes and fostering
understanding around issues of main concern that are the bedrock of GBV, for instance,
consent, human rights and human rights violations, laws, etc.
