Myths, harmful beliefs and diversity

Myth: Gender-based violence is caused by substance abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Fact: While substance abuse is present in many domestic violence cases and may lower inhibitions, it is a contributing factor, not the cause of violence.  Neither alcohol nor drug abuse should be used to justify violence.

Myth: Clothes that girls and young women wear are in some way responsible for any violence and abuse that they may experience Fact: The way someone is dressed is no excuse for some else’s violence. Clothing items are not responsible for incidents of rape, people who commit rape are.

Myth: A man cannot rape his wife. Fact: Rape is defined by the action and not by the identity of the perpetrator. Any forced sexual intercourse is rape. (Marital rape was legal in various U.S. states until 1993; 13 states still treat marital rape more leniently).

Myth: Women allow domestic violence to happen to themselves Myth: Women allow domestic violence to happen to themselves. If they really want to, they can leave their abusive partners. Fact: Perpetrators use a combination of control and abuse to make it very difficult for women to escape from violence. Women may not leave violent relationships for many reasons, such as due to feelings of shame and guilt, lack of safe housing, or the inability to get divorced.

Myth: A sex worker cannot experience rape. Fact: Rape is defined by the action.  Any individual who forces a someone into a sexual act is committing rape, regardless of that person's job.  (2011 survey in Bosnia: 3 out of 5 sex workers survivors of sexual violence)

Myths Commonly held beliefs about men and women’s role or girls and boys roles in society and about violence, that need to be understood when embarking on a plan to deliver Voices Against Violence

Myths about forms ACTIVITY: Small group work – Identify myths about various forms of violence against girls and suggest how to respond to them

Myths about forms Feedback!

Intersectionality

Working with boys and men Working with boys and men on Violence against Girls must ensure that the partnership is a safe and appropriate space to deliver a curriculum on Violence against Girls (pg.22 & 65 Leaders Handbook) Instructions to participants Rwanda girl guides association has been involving boys and men in the campaign through different activities and a partnership with a group of men engaged in fighting gender based violence Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC ) focusing on educating boys and men on transforming thei masculinity in a postive way. They go under trainings (eg. Journey of transformation , evening discussions between men and women (this is now becoming a practice in all communities). engagement of men as caregiving. This is done through AGR youth friendly center where different groups of youth come together and learn different things. Here is a video of drama that was made by one of these groups to sensitise boys and men to speak out for girls rights, to report cases of violence. Watch!!

Some examples

Safe conversation space for each group (boys/girls) is crucial Transforming masculinities (expectations of being a boy or a man) may be very challenging in many spaces Men and boys, especially if they are challenging GBV and gender inequality and traditional masculinities, may also suffer from violence, if they are challenging stereotypes and homophobia Diversity of views – Yes Acceptance of rationale for allowing Gender Based Violence continue – No

Patriarchal societies (where male is always superior to female) lead to enhanced vulnerabilities for women and girls. Violence is a method of keeping this system in place and must be tackled and the beliefs and structures which uphold patriarchy must be challenged.

Any questions?

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