Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to violence directed towards a person based on their gender.
Although both women and men experience gender-based violence, many victims are women and girls according to the EMPD.
Types of gender-based violence
• Domestic violence: This is the most common form of GBV among partners, and often involves physical violence or threats of violence. This kind of violence may also involve sexual assault, physical assault, coercion and sexual harassment.
• Physical violence: Involves hitting, slapping, kicking, punching, pushing and other actions. Weapons such as guns, knives and other sharp instruments are often used during physical violence.
• Emotional violence: Often involves verbal abuse, name-calling and belittling of the other, and often entails acts of embarrassment, humiliation, and disrespect. These acts affect one’s sense of self, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Economic violence: Entails the control of a partner’s assets, access to money and other economic resources.
• Sexual violence: This is the most common form of GBV and may involve rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and trafficking for sexual purposes.
• Femicide: This is characterised by the murder of a female partner by an intimate male partner and is considered to be the most extreme outcome of GBV.
What to do if you or someone else is being abused?
Although not all forms of GBV are punishable under the law, several protective measures are available for victims. Such measures include:
• Reach out for help and support to a friend, family member or someone else who has experienced or is experiencing GBV.
• Do not suffer in silence. If you are being physically, psychologically (mentally), emotionally or sexually abused, talk to someone you can trust such as a friend, neighbour, relative, spiritual leader or elder, doctor or counsellor.
Get professional help by:
• Opening a criminal case against the abuser for rape, sexual assault or physical violence, or
• Apply for a protection order at your nearest magistrate’s court.
