Political-Legal Perspective in Gender and Sexuality
Objectives
Understand the definition of gender-based violence (GBV) and other related terms, and
its forms and consequences;
Understand GBV as a human rights issue, and the relationship between human rights and
GBV;
and Differentiate perpetrators, survivors, and victims in GBV
What is Gender-based Violence (GBV)?
• Any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially-ascribed
(gender) differences between males and females (Inter-agency Standing Committee Guidelines
for Integrating Gender-based Violence in Interventions in Humanitarian Action, 2015 cited in
Peralta, et al., 2019).
• One of the most widespread and human rights abuses, but least recognized in the world.
Gender Based Violence
• has devastating consequences not only for victims, but also for society as a whole (Sigal et al.,
2013 cited in Peralta, et al., 2019) • results in physical, sexual, and psychological harm to both
men and women and includes any form of violence or abuse that targets men or women on the
basis of their sex
• GBV experienced by women and girls refers to battering an other forms of intimate partner
violence including: -marital rape, sexual violence -dowry-related violence -female infanticide -
sexual abuse of female children in the household -honor crimes -early marriage -forced marriage -
female genital cutting and other traditional practices -harmful to women -sexual harassment in the
workplace and educational institutions -commercial sexual exploitation -trafficking of girls and
women -violence perpetrated against domestic workers
• cuts across public and private spheres, including home, school, and work, and takes place during
peacetime and conflict
• both a human rights and a development issue, with negative consequences for both men and
women
What are the consequences of GBV?
• include serious, immediate, and long-term impacts on the sexual, physical, and psychological
health survivors:
-HEALTH
-SOCIAL
–ECONOMIC
Health consequences of GBV
• Unwanted pregnancies
• Complications from unsafe abortions
• Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV
• Injuries
• Mental health
Objectives
Understand the definition of gender-based violence (GBV) and other related terms, and
its forms and consequences;
Understand GBV as a human rights issue, and the relationship between human rights and
GBV;
and Differentiate perpetrators, survivors, and victims in GBV
What is Gender-based Violence (GBV)?
• Any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially-ascribed
(gender) differences between males and females (Inter-agency Standing Committee Guidelines
for Integrating Gender-based Violence in Interventions in Humanitarian Action, 2015 cited in
Peralta, et al., 2019).
• One of the most widespread and human rights abuses, but least recognized in the world.
Gender Based Violence
• has devastating consequences not only for victims, but also for society as a whole (Sigal et al.,
2013 cited in Peralta, et al., 2019) • results in physical, sexual, and psychological harm to both
men and women and includes any form of violence or abuse that targets men or women on the
basis of their sex
• GBV experienced by women and girls refers to battering an other forms of intimate partner
violence including: -marital rape, sexual violence -dowry-related violence -female infanticide -
sexual abuse of female children in the household -honor crimes -early marriage -forced marriage -
female genital cutting and other traditional practices -harmful to women -sexual harassment in the
workplace and educational institutions -commercial sexual exploitation -trafficking of girls and
women -violence perpetrated against domestic workers
• cuts across public and private spheres, including home, school, and work, and takes place during
peacetime and conflict
• both a human rights and a development issue, with negative consequences for both men and
women
What are the consequences of GBV?
• include serious, immediate, and long-term impacts on the sexual, physical, and psychological
health survivors:
-HEALTH
-SOCIAL
–ECONOMIC
Health consequences of GBV
• Unwanted pregnancies
• Complications from unsafe abortions
• Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV
• Injuries
• Mental health
