Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence has many shapes: from physical or psychological abuse, deprivation of economic opportunities within the family to sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse at the workplace or in the online space. The consequences of gender-based violence can range from emotional harm and suffering, social stigmatization and isolation, to life threatening injury and death. While GBV affects primarily women and girls, it is a serious human rights violation and can be destructive for families and communities at large.

Introduction

Gender-based violence is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. How can we recognize it, who suffers the most, and what can we do about it?

Treffen mit globalen Flaggen World International UN

Gender Based Violence in the Workplace

Gender based violence in the workplace is widespread worldwide and can take on various forms. It is rooted in unequal power relations. More and more organizations are fighting against this and striving to create a safe working environment for their employees.

„Addressing GBV in the workplace is a journey for many organizations“

Interview

Physical or sexual violence is part of women's everyday experience in many places - also in the workplace. Often it is about abuse of power. There have also been cases of gender-based violence in some non-governmental organisations in recent years. Protective measures have been taken as a result. But is that enough? An interview with Christine Ash Büchner.

By Aida Fatić

The Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbs) stands for full respect for human rights and social justice for all. Gender democracy and a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment are firmly anchored in the hbs at the normative, programmatic and organisational levels. We are committed to protecting all our core principles and see them as a shared responsibility and duty of all staff, partner organisations and individuals. Gender-based violence is the result of a culture of discrimination and privilege based on unequal power relations. As part of its commitment to promote gender democracy and to create and maintain a safe working environment for all, hbs has developed a protection policy based on the International Guidelines on Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).

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Impact of the Covid pandemic on gender based violence

In crisis situations, the level of gender-based violence increases. During the Covid pandemic, multiple factors such as curfew or financial dependence have also increased the risk of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.

Thailand’s Silent Pandemic: Domestic Violence during COVID-19

Porntip wanted out of her abusive marriage and filed for divorce. But her husband wouldn't leave. Then the Thai government's COVID-19 response locked them both behind the same front door in the northeastern Khon Kaen countryside. His drug abuse continued, and the tensions between them increased. As did the beatings. He often told their two daughters he wanted to kill their mother.

By Annelie Langerak

Infographics

Child marriages

Before COVID 19, the UN estimated more than 100 million girls would be forced into marriages over the next decade. Today, it estimates that further 10 million girls would be forced to be married before their 18th birthday.