National Policy for Prevention and Response to Gender Based Violence 2014

Abstract

Gender based Violence is a serious global health, human rights, and development issue. It is a symptom of underlying gender inequalities and power imbalances that goes beyond geography, race, culture, class, and religion, touching virtually every community in every corner of the globe. Gender based violence is often condoned by customs and reinforced by institutions which are thriving on impunity. Gender Based Violence (GBV) has been defined as any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.1” Further, the definition has been expanded to include economic deprivation and isolation which may cause eminent harm to safety, health and well- being.2 GBV is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females. Gender can be seen as the allocation of roles, attitudes and values that are deemed by the community to be appropriate for each sex. These roles define power relations between men and women regarding who makes decisions and who owns resources. They are learned and reinforced through interactions in the home and community.