Gender-Based Violence and Conflict Resolution

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION Presented to By Hon. (Col. Rtd.) Steven Basaliza Commissioner Uganda Human Rights Commission

Definition of Gender Based Violence Gender-based violence is violence that is directed at a person based on gender. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threat of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty. While women, men, boys and girls can be victims of gender-based violence, women and girls are the main victims.

Points to note GBV is perpetrated against men, women, boys and girls, however, the vast majority of cases reported involve women and girls. Existence of GBV violates one s rights and slows down progress in achieving sustainable inclusive human development. Uganda has an exceptionally high rate of GBV with 56 % of married women between the ages of 15-39 having experienced some form of GBV. In Uganda, social beliefs, systems, perceptions, attitudes about women and men, boys and girls and their roles in society exacerbate the already fragile categories. Regardless of the target, gender-based violence is rooted in structural inequalities between characterized by the use and abuse of physical, emotional or financial power and control. men and women and is

Types of GBV Intimate partner violence (physical, sexual, psychological, economic) Sexual coercion Rape Childhood sexual abuse Trafficking Rape in conflict situations.

Myths surrounding gender-based violence Myths and stereotypical attitudes about GBV shape the way in which society perceives and responds to violence perpetrated against women. Such myths and attitudes are harmful as they tend to blame survivors for the violence, rather than holding perpetrators responsible for their behavior. Conflicts and discord are a normal part of any relationship. GBV happens only to a certain type of person. GBV only includes physical abuse (hitting, punching, biting, slapping, pushing, etc.

Myths Women should tolerate violence to keep the family together. GBV is a private family matter. How a man treats his wife is a private matter. A man cannot rape his wife. Victims of GBV are helpless. Survivors of GBV are responsible for their attack or are capable of preventing it. If I voice my protest against GBV the community will blame me for not bearing it in silence.

Forms of Gender based violence 1. Physical violence Intentional use of physical form with the potential to cause death, disability, injury of harm. Physical violence includes, but is not limited : pushing, grabbing, punching, hitting, burning, use of a weapon, and use of restraints or one s body, size, or strength against another persons. Physical violence also includes coercing other people to commit any of the above acts. 58 % of all Ugandan women and 44 % of men aged 15-49 believe that wife beating is justified for at least one specified reason (Uganda Demographic and Health survey 2011)

2. Sexual violence Sexual violence is divided into three categories : Use of physical force to compel a person to engage in a sexual act against his or her will whether or not the act is completed. a) An attempted or completed sex act involving a person who is unable to understand the nature or condition of the act, to decline participation or to communicate unwillingness to engage in the sexual act (e.g because of illness disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or due to intimidation or pressure). b) Abusive sexual contact, including intentionally touching directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person against his or her will, or of any person who is unable to understand the nature or condition of the act, to decline participation, or to communicate unwillingness to engage in the sexual act(e.g. because of illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or due to intimidation or pressure). c) In Uganda 16 % of women aged 15-49 [Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2022] have suffered sexual violence. d)

3. Harmful traditional practices Early marriage : arranged marriage under the age of legal consent (sexual intercourse in such relationship[s constitutes statuary rape, as the girls are not legally competent to agree to such unions). Forced marriage : arranged marriage against the victim s survivor's wishes; often a dowry is paid to the family ; when refused, there are violent and /or abusive consequences. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) ; Cutting of genital organs for non- medical reasons usually done at a young age.

4. Psychological/emotional violence : Non-sexual demeaning: verbal abuse compelling that is Abuse/humiliation insulting, victim/survivor to engage in humiliating acts, whether in public or private; denying basic expenses for family survival. : Isolating a restricting movements, deprivation of liberty or obstruction, restriction of the right to free movement. : degrading, the person from friends/family, Confinement

5. Social Economic Violence Discrimination Opportunities services : exclusion, denial of access to education, health assistance or remunerated employment; denial or property rights. and/or denial of

Root causes and contributing factors of GBV : Root Causes Power in balance Gender inequalities Disregard for human rights Lower levels of education Contributing facts/risk factors - Behavioral: alcohol, drugs, boredom, retaliation. Community norms that privilege or ascribe higher status to men and lower status to women. Structural ; camp layout, access to service Systems impunity, representation, participation.

Effects of Gender Based violence People who frequently hear distressing stories of violence (e.g. the judiciary, the police, health workers and GBV actors etc.) also may experience trauma from hearing cases of violence and need to engage in self-care to stay health and continue to perform their role to the best of their ability. GBV development, social congestion, and economic prosperity. GBV is a violation of human rights, a public health crisis and a serious hindrance to achieving gender equality. GBV costs the economy billions of shillings, not only in lost productivity but also in medical and legal expenses. remains a significant obstacle to national Uganda s Gender emotional damage when they watch their mothers and sisters being battered. violence threatens family structures; children suffer

Effects of Gender based violence Psychological scars often impede the establishment of health and rewarding relationships in the future and victims of GBV may vent their frustrations on their children and others, thereby transmitting and intensifying the negative experiences of those round them. Children may come to accept violence as an alternative means of conflict resolution Violence is reproduced and perpetuated. and communication. Emotional and mental health : abused women have a significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Effects of gender based violence Exclusion from education : there is stigmatization of victims or person who have experienced GBV in the community, which results into the person s loss of confidence and, leads to isolation from the community. This leads to girls dropping out of school due to the stigmatization. Physical health : violence leads to physical injuries ranging from bruising to death, damage to sexual organs which may eventually lead to death either as a result of injuries or disease contracts. Miscarriages and abortion especially among young girls are common.

Conclusion Violence is whatever form is never Okay ! We should use the power that we hold to transform negative uses of power into positive use to facilitate prevention and effective response to GBV by identifying and implementing solutions to prevent GBV.

Thank you for your kind attention.