Gender-based violence GBV is present in every society around the world and takes many forms. We have a moral imperative to stop all forms of violence against women and girls. In crisis, whether conflict or natural disaster, the risk of GBV increases, and so does our collective need to act to prevent GBV before it happens or respond to the needs of women and girls when it does.
The IRC has been working specifically to prevent and respond to GBV since , meaning we have over 25 years of experience. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by all forms of gender-based violence. Below, we consider why this happens, and what we can do to prevent it. This is true for both conflict-affected and non-conflict settings. Over one-third of women and girls globally will experience some form of violence in their lifetime.
However, this rate is higher in emergencies, conflict, and crisis, where vulnerability and risks are increased and most often family, community, and legal protections have broken down. Harm caused by GBV comes in a variety of visible and invisible formsโit also includes the threat of violence.
GBV can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these include: physical violence, such as assault or slavery; emotional or psychological violence, such as verbal abuse or confinement; sexual abuse, including rape; harmful practices, like child marriage and female genital mutilation; socio-economic violence, which includes denial of resources; and sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse.
It refers to any behavior from a current or previous partner that causes harmโincluding physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors. Gender-based violence can happen to anyone.
