Reducing the Truama of Gender Based Violence

Gender Based Violence (GBV), in its various forms, is endemic in communities around the world, cutting across class, race, age, religion and national boundaries. In general women have been found to be more marginalized and vulnerable to both direct and indirect/structural violence in the extensive research that has been conducted on GBV globally and particularly in areas of conflict. Exposure to gender-based violence and sexual coercion significantly increases girls’ and women’s chances of early sexual debut, experiencing forced sex and engaging in transactional sex. Gender Based Violence (GBV), especially against women is increasingly documented in IDP camps, yet still remains a silent affliction. GBV in this review will refer to violence, sexual or otherwise, that plays on gender norms and gender exclusions to break people down physically, emotionally, psychologically or financially. While Gender Based Violence (GBV) is prevalent in all societies,crisis situation can exacerbate the extent and incidence of the problem, particularly GBV involving female survivor and male perpetrator.