Ms. Tengetile Kubheka

Objectives Define Gender Concepts Define and briefly outline GBV Understand the nature and extent of GBV Linkages between GBV and HIV

Sex and Gender Sex Gender Biological functions are programmed genetically Universal God – given… Defined through gender roles and power relations Vary across cultures and through time Amenable to change

Gender Terms - Gender equality The absence of discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex in authority, opportunities, allocation of resources or benefits, access to services. It is therefore, the equal valuing by society of both the similarities and differences between men and women, and the varying roles that they play.

Gender equity the process of being fair to women and men. To ensure fairness, measures must often be available to compensate for historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating on a “level playing field.” Equity leads to equality. Gender equity also means that health needs, which are specific to each gender, receive appropriate resources (e.g. HIV, reproductive health needs) and also special needs relating to women’s greater vulnerability to gender-based violence.

Gender awareness The understanding that there are socially determined differences between men and women based on learned behaviour, which affect ability to access and control resources.

Cont, Gender sensitivity is the ability to perceive existing gender differences, issues and equalities, and incorporate these into strategies and actions. Gender blindness is the failure to recognize that gender is an essential determinant of social outcomes, including HIV and health. It therefore impacts assessment and management of health problems.

Definition “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering for women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” -United Nations General Assembly 1993

GBV GBV is one of the most widespread human rights abuses and public health problems in the world today GBV is devastating, affecting women and girls’ long-term physical and mental well-being The ripple effects of GBV compromise the well-being of families, communities and societies

Forms of GBV A. Physical: Acts that include bodily harm. B. Psychological: Refers to words or actions that destroy or harm a woman’s belief in herself. What it does is demean or disempower a woman; undermining her mental or emotional well-being. C. Economic: withdrawal of financial support, maintaining total control of family finances, running up bills for which the victim is responsible for payment, forbidding employment/occupation. D. Sexual: forcing the victim to do indecent acts, forced prostitution, withholding sex, treating another person as a sexual object.

Cycle of Abuse By Lenore Walker

Cycle of Abuse

Nature & Extent Sexual violence, and rape in particular, is considered the most under- reported violent crime (American Medical Association). In Swaziland, victims indicated that their primary reason for not reporting the assault was that they were not aware that what they had experienced was abuse. UNICEF Swaziland 2008 – approx 1 in 3 females experienced some form of sexual violence as a child, 1 in 4 experienced physical violence, nearly 3 in 10 experienced emotional abuse. Among 18 to 24yr olds, nearly 2 in 3 had experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. According to a 2008 survey by Swaziland’s Central Statistics, 60% of men believed it was acceptable to beat their wives, and 18% of females between 13 and 44 yrs had contemplated suicide, primarily as a result of domestic violence.

GBV and children Slightly more than half of victims of intimate violence have children in the home 3 to 5 children in each classroom may be witnessing violence in their homes Children who witness abuse between the adults in their homes become secondary victims. Research shows that, even if a child is not abused, witnessing violence is much like being an actual victim Between 3.3 and 10 million children exposed every year 79% of violent children witnessed DV

Attitudes Regarding GBV Source: Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2003

Barriers to leaving: Situational Economic dependence Fear of greater physical danger/ suffering worse Fear of emotional damage to children Fear of losing custody of children Lack of alternative housing and/or job skills Social isolation “Acceptable violence ” Ties to the community, her home, belongings Family pressure Unfounded hopefulness. “Things will get better”

Link between HIV and GBV  Cause and consequence of HIV infection  The experience of violence affects the risk to HIV and other STIs directly by diminishing women’s ability to negotiate safe sex.  Fear of violence may also keep women from voluntary HIV testing which may put them at risk of violence once they disclose.  Rape coerced or dry sex also increases women's vulnerability.  Imbalanced gender relations make it difficult for women to negotiate for condom use.

Consequences of GBV Fatal OutcomesNon Fatal Outcomes PhysicalSexual & Reproductive Psychological & Behavioural Femicide Suicide AIDS-related mortality Maternal mortality Fractures Chronic pain syndromes Fibromyalgia Permanent disability Gastro-intestinal disorders Sexually- transmitted infections, including HIV Unwanted pregnancy Pregnancy complications Unsafe abortion Depression and anxiety (fears, nervousness) Eating and sleep disorders Drug and alcohol abuse Poor self-esteem Post-traumatic stress disorder Self harm Other r-ships

Rules for Relationships of Mutuality Everyone is entitled to respect Everyone is entitled to a voice Decisions are made by mutual consent Power and responsibility are shared Relationships are governed by principles of fairness

“Violence can be prevented…In our own countries and around the world we have shining examples of how violence has been countered. Governments, communities and individuals can make a difference” Nelson Mandela