MODULE 1:

INTRODUCTION TO
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Grace A. Omollo
MSN/BSc.N/dip.SRHR/
RN/M
Module1: Purpose

Purpose:
To demonstrate understanding of gender based
violence and related concepts, types causes and factors
contributing to it and its impact on society
Expected Learning Outcomes

 Define gender and related terms

 Recognize the situation/prevalence of gender based

violence globally, regionally and nationally

 Demonstrate understanding of the different types of

gender based violence

 Appreciate causes of gender based violence
 Discuss factors contributing to gender based violence
 Discuss effects of gender based violence

 To explore personal values and beliefs on gender

Course Content
Unit 1: Definition of Gender and Related Terms
Unit 2: Situation/Prevalence of Gender Based

Violence
Unit 3: Types of Gender Based Violence
Unit 4: Causes, Effects and Contributing Factors to

Gender Based Violence

Unit 5: Self-Exploration/Self-Awareness on Gender

Issues
UNIT 1: DEFINITION OF
GENDER AND RELATED
TERMS
Purpose and Expected Learning
Outcomes
Purpose:
To attain a thorough understanding of gender terms
and issues to enable effective work with SGBV
survivors

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate understanding of gender concepts and
issues
 Brainstorming
Terms:
•Gender
•Sex
•Gender roles
•Sex roles
•Violence
•Gender based violence
• Violence against women
• Sexual violence
• Power relations

• Sexuality • Strategic
Gender
• Gender equity needs
• Gender equality
• Gender sensitivity
• Gender
responsiveness
• Gender analysis
• Gender
mainstreaming
Gender ‘Versus’ Sex
Gender
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles and
responsibilities assigned to men and women by
society. These roles are learned, vary across
cultures and change over time. In other words,
gender is dynamic, geographical, learned, and
socially constructed

Sex
This refers to biological attributes of men and
women - are universal and cannot be changed. It is
static, universal, innate and biological.
Gender and Sex Roles
Gender Roles
Gender roles are reflected in activities ascribed to
men and women on the basis of perceived
differences which are reinforced through the gender
division of labour. They include rearing children,
piloting, farming and care giving

Sex Roles
Sex roles’ are from nature; they are genetically
determined characteristics of male and female,
such as pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding
and impregnating
Sexual Orientation
"Sexual orientation" is the preferred term used
when referring to an individual's physical and/or
emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite
gender. "Gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and "straight"
are all examples of sexual orientations.

A person's sexual orientation is distinct from a

person's gender identity and expression.
Gender Identity
Gender Identity
The term "gender identity," distinct from the term
"sexual orientation," refers to a person's innate,
deeply felt psychological identification as a man,
woman or some other gender, which may or may
not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth
(e.g., the sex listed on their birth certificate).
Gender Expression
Gender Expression
Gender expression refers to all of the external
characteristics and behaviors that are socially
defined as either masculine or feminine, such as
dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and
social interactions.

Social or cultural norms can vary widely and some

characteristics that may be accepted as masculine,
feminine or neutral in one culture may not be
assessed similarly in another.
Transgender
Transgender
Transgender – or trans – is an umbrella term for
people whose gender identity or expression is
different from those typically associated with the
sex assigned to them at birth (e.g., the sex listed on
their birth certificate). Not all people who consider
themselves (or who may be considered by others
as) transgender will undergo a gender transition.
Gender Transition
Gender transition
Transitioning is the process some transgender
people go through to begin living as the gender
with which they identify, rather than the sex
assigned to them at birth. This may or may not
include hormone therapy, sex reassignment surgery
and other medical procedures
Gender Equity
Gender Equity
Is the process of being fair to women and men.
To ensure fairness, measures must often be
available to compensate for historical and social
disadvantages that prevent women and men
from otherwise operating on a “level playing
field.”
Gender Equality
Gender Equality
It refers to the absence of discrimination on the
basis of a person’s sex in authority,
opportunities, allocation of resources or
benefits and access to services. It therefore
describes the equal valuing by society of both
the similarities and differences between men
and women, and the varying roles that they
play
Gender Sensitivity
Gender Sensitivity
‘Gender sensitivity’ is theoretical and refers to
when a person or program recognizes that gender
roles are socially constructed and can be changed.
Gender Responsiveness
Gender Responsiveness
Gender responsiveness’ is a when a person or a
program practices gender sensitivity. Actions
address gender unfairness and discrimination,
promote equity for women and men and include
their empowerment and advancement.
Gender Analysis
Gender Analysis
This is the process of examining roles and
responsibilities or any other situation in regard to
women and men; boys and girls, with a view to
identifying gaps, raising concern and addressing
them; investigating and identifying specific needs
of girls and boys, women and men for policy and
programme development and implementation.
Gender Mainstreaming
Gender Mainstreaming
It is the process of integrating a gender equality perspective
into the development process at all stages and levels.
It is a strategy (tool) for the achievement of gender equality.
It may also be defined as the process of ensuring that
gender is taken into account in all policies, processes and
practices.
It is an approach to achieving gender equality and
supporting the advancement of women. Central to the process
of mainstreaming and engendering processes and projects,
are issues of capacity and skills development for gender
analysis; availability of data and information for planning
purposes
References
1. Heise, L. (1998) Violence against women: An
integrated, ecological framework. 4(3): p. 262-­‐
290.
2. World Health Organization. (1997) Violence
against women: a priority health issue. Geneva:
WHO
Thank you!

Any questions?
UNIT 3: TYPES OF
GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE
Purpose and Expected Learning
Outcomes
Purpose:
Attain knowledge and understanding of the different
types of GBV

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Discuss the different types of gender based violence
Relate gender based violence to human rights
Brainstorming
What is violence?
What are the different types of gender based
violence?
What is Violence?
The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual,

against oneself, another person, or against a group or community,

that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury,
death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation

Source: WHO (2002) World Report on Health and Violence

 Sexual Violence
 Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual

comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s

sexuality using coercion, threats of harm or physical force by any person regardless of
their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and
work.

Source: WHO (2003) Guidelines for Medico-Legal Care for Victims of Sexual Violence.
Geneva: WHO
 Physical Violence
 Physical violence includes punches, mutilation,

burns, use of arms and domestic incarceration.

Emotional/Psychological Violence
 Emotional or psychological violence encompasses

humiliation, exploitation, intimidation, psychological

degradation, verbal aggression and deprivation of
freedom and rights
 Harmful Traditional Practices
 Harmful traditional practices include,
 Female genital mutilation (FGM),
 Female sex slavery,
 Denial of rights to control one’s fertility,
 Sex discrimination etc.
 dowry-related murder,
 Selective malnourishment of female children,
 Sexual abuse of female children
 Early/forced marriages
 Socioeconomic Violence
 Socioeconomic violence covers economic blackmail, taking away the

money the woman earns so the male partner has an absolute control over
the family income - forced housewife-ism or the denial of resources.

NB. Men can also suffer from socioeconomic violence if the female partner is
the one that has financial power
 Intimate Partner Violence
 This refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that
causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical
aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling
behaviors
 It is the most pervasive form of gender violence for women
 A review of 50 population-based studies carried out in 36 countries
indicates that between 10 and 60% of women who have ever been
married or partnered have experienced at least one incident of
physical violence from a current or former intimate partner (Heise,
1999).
 Although women can also be violent and abuse exists in some
same-sex relationships, the vast majority of partner abuse is
perpetrated by men against their female partners.
 Child Sexual Abuse
Child Sexual Abuse: Child sexual abuse refers to any
sexual act that occurs between an adult or
immediate family member and a child, and any
nonconsensual sexual contact between a child and a
peer.
Laws generally consider the issue of consent to be
irrelevant in cases of sexual contact by an adult with
a child (Heise, 2002)
WHO Typology of Sexual Violence

Source: WHO (2002) Global Report on Violence and Health

Gender Based Violence and Human
Rights
Gender-based violence violates human rights principles enshrined in
international human right instruments and in the Kenyan Constitution, Bill
of Rights, these rights include:
Right to life, liberty and personal security.

Right to the highest attainable mental and physical growth.

Right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

 Cont’d
Right to freedom of movement, opinion, expression and association.
Right to enter into marriage with free and full consent and
entitlement to equal rights to marriage, during marriage and its
dissolution.
Right to education, social security and personal development.
Rights to cultural, political and public participation with equal access
to public services, work and equal pay for all work.
References
1. Heise, L. (1998) Violence against women: An
integrated, ecological framework. 4(3): p. 262-­‐
290.
Thank you!

Any questions?
 UNIT 2:
SITUATION/PREVALENC
E OF GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE
Purpose and Expected Learning
Outcomes
Purpose:
Demonstrate understanding of the situation and
prevalence of SGBV globally, regionally and nationally

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Be familiar with the situation of gender based
violence globally, regionally and nationally
Global and Regional Context of
Sexual Violence
 Globally, Gender Based Violence (GBV) remains a
public health problem (WHO, 2005) An estimated 1.6
million people worldwide died as a result of self-
inflicted, interpersonal or collective violence in 2000
(WHO, 2010) Sexual Violence (SV) remains the
common form of GBV

 Worldwide, an estimated 1 in every 3 women will

experience some form of Sexual Gender-Based
Violence (SGBV) in their lifetime. (Erulkar, A. S.
2004).
Prevalence of sexual violence
after age 15, WHO multi-country
study
 A multi-country study conducted by the WHO in 10
medium and low income countries found that 15-71%
of the women reported experiencing either intimate
partner or sexual violence at some point in their lives
(WHO 2005) The highest levels of IPV were reported
in Peru, Samoa, and the United Republic of Tanzania
(Jewkes, R. 2002).

 A study conducted among high school students in

Addis Ababa indicated that the prevalence of rape
and attempted rape was 5% and 10% respectively
(Mulugeta, E., Kassaye, M., & Berhane, Y. 1998).
Prevalence of GBV: Forced Sexual Initiation

Source: WHO’s World Report on Violence and Health, 2002

Prevalence of Sexual Violence
after age 15, WHO Multi-Country
Study

Source: WHO (2005) Multi – Country Study, women’s health and domestic
violence against women"
Child Sexual Abuse
 Child sexual abuse is a critical public health, human rights
and a developmental issue that has severe consequences
for the immediate and long-term health and well-being of
children.
 The magnitude of child abuse remains a global problem with
a serious impact on the victims’ physical and mental health,
well-being and development and by extension, on society
(WHO, 2006).
 Globally, approximately 7 to 36 per cent of girl children and
5 to 10 per cent of boy children will experience some form
of sexual violation.( Finkelhor,D.1994)
 The World Health Organization estimates that 150 million
girls and 73 million boys experienced sexual abuse before
reaching 15 years of age.
Prevalence of Child Sexual
Abuse
% of women who reported child sexual abuse
before age 15
Refugee/Internally
Displaced/Conflict-affected
Statistics
 Refugees and internally displaced persons also experience
SV often without appropriate response.

 A survey of displacement settings in 33 countries,

comprised of 82 percent refugees and 18 percent IDPs,
revealed that Emergency Contraception (EC) was available
to survivors of rape in 60 percent of the sites (WHO,
Lancet, 2006).

 A study by United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that 54 percent of women
that survived rape in refugee camps in seven countries did
not receive emergency contraception within 120 hours of
an incident in 2007 (Garcia Morena, C. et al., 2005)
Cont’d
 A January 2008 inter-agency rapid GBV assessment
of selected sites in North Rift Valley, South Rift
Valley, the Coastal Region, Nairobi and Central
Provinces of Kenya found that while the health
sector made an effort to quickly establish camp-
based services, it was unable to adequately respond
to survivors of sexual violence.
 None of the camps visited by the assessment team
had post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or EC on site,
 Staff had not been trained on responding to
survivors of GBV or the medical management of
rape. (Speizer, I. S., A. Pettifor, et al.,2009)
Situation in Kenya
KDHS 2014, revealed the following on SGBV
38 % of ever-married women age 15-49 have ever
experienced physical violence committed by their
husband/partner.

49 percent of women have experienced physical violence

with one in three (28 percent) experiencing such violence
in the 12 months preceding the survey

The data also showed that divorced, separated, and

widowed women and men are more likely to report having
experienced physical or sexual violence than their currently
married counterparts, ever and in the past 12 months
Cont’d
 Women and men who have married more than once
are more likely to have ever experienced physical or
sexual violence than women and men who have
married only once, ever and in the past 12 months.
 There are notable variations in the prevalence of
physical and sexual violence across the regions.
- Women in Western, Nyanza and Nairobi reported a higher
prevalence than the other regions, approximately one-half
have ever experienced physical violence compared with
the low reported in North Eastern region (12 percent).
- Men in these three regions also reported higher levels of
physical and sexual violence committed by a
spouse/partner compared with men in other regions.
References
1. Erulkar, A. S. (2004). The experience of sexual coercion
among young people in Kenya. Int Fam.Plan.Perspect., 30,
182-189.
2. Etienne G.Krug, Linda L. Dahlberg James A. Mercy Anthony
B. Zwi Rafael Lozano (2002). World Report on Violence and
Health. Geneva: World Health Organization.
3. Finkelhor,D.(1994) “The International Epidemiology of
Child Sexual Abuse,” Child Abuse & Neglect 5 : 409 -417.
4. Government of Kenya (2014) Kenya Demographic Health
Survey. Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
(KNBS)
5. Jewkes, R. (2002). ‘Intimate partner violence: causes and
prevention’. Lancet, 359.1423-1429
Cont’d
6. Mulugeta, E., Kassaye, M., & Berhane, Y. (1998).
Prevalence and outcomes of sexual violence among
high school students. Ethiop.Med J, 36(3), 167-174.
Retrieved from PM:10214457
7. Tarayia, G. N. (2004). Legal Perspectives of the
Maasai Culture, Customs, and Traditions, The.
Ariz.J.Int'l & Comp.L., 21, 183.
8. WHO(2010) Global Disease Burden Study
Thank you!

Any questions?
UNIT 4: CAUSES, RISKS,
VULNERABILITIES AND
EFFECTS OF GENDER
BASED VIOLENCE
Purpose and Expected Learning
Outcomes
Purpose:
Attain insight into the risks and vulnerabilities to
gender based violence

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Attain knowledge on:
o risks and vulnerabilities to gender based violence

o effects of gender based violence

 Brainstorm
On causes and effects of GBV
 Causes of GBV (1)
 Culture: Traditional gender norms that support male superiority and

entitlement and that tolerate and justify violence against women

 In situations of armed conflict and displacement, when community

supports and social structures have broken down, women and children
face additional risks and are the most vulnerable to gender-based
violence.
 Causes of GBV (2)
There are many factors contributing to acts of gender-based
violence in any setting. In general, the overriding causes are:
Gender inequity
Abuse of power
Lack of respect for human rights
 Causes of GBV (3)
 Poverty: Abuse occurs in all socio-economic groups. Although poverty

alone does not cause abuse, poverty related factors such as stress, drug
abuse and inadequate resources increases the likelihood of
maltreatment.
 Alcohol and drug abuse: Higher use of alcohol and drug abuse is

associated with increased violence.

 Causes of GBV (4)
 Media: Media (internet, TV, radio, magazines etc.) perpetuate sexual and

other forms of violence by commodifying women’s bodies and women’s

sexuality. Exposure to this kind of media may lead to the development of
thought patterns, sexual arousal patterns and other responses that
support violence against women. Such media may teach the youth that
sex is something that can be consumed and to which men are entitled.
 Causes of GBV (5)
 Illiteracy: the lower the education level, the higher the likelihood of experiencing

gender based violence

 Conflicts: Conflict situations are characterized by a breakdown of law and order and

absence of systems that would curb Gender Based Violence. Further, there is absent or
severely weakened accountability mechanisms which give rise to a climate of impunity
for perpetrating all sorts of crimes, including GBV.
 Causes of GBV (6)
Disability: Both men and women with disabilities are at

an increased risk of violence based on their disability

status. Women and girls with disabilities are more likely to
face violence based on their gender and disability status.
 Causes of GBV (7)
Religion: Religion can be a factor in causing or perpetrating gender based violence. For
example, not all religions support family planning which denies women the opportunity to
control their fertility. Religious leaders have been known to take advantage of their position of
power by sexually abusing their congregants. Some religions call on women to obey and
submit to their husbands which often means they cannot refuse sex or speak up against other
forms of violence within the marriage. Some religions may also perpetuate GBV by promoting
polygamy, a practice that may promote women’s unequal status within marriage and society.
Developmental Paths to Perpetration by Men.

Source: Heise, (2011)

 Effects of GBV
Nonfatal outcomes
Physical health outcomes:

Injury(from lacerations to fractures and

internal organs injury)

Unwanted pregnancy

Gynecological problems

STDs including HIV

Miscarriage

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Chronic pelvic pain
 Cont’d
 Headaches
 Permanent disabilities
 Asthma
 Irritable bowel syndrome
 Self-injurious behaviour (smoking, unprotected sex)
Effects of GBV
Fatal outcomes
Suicide
Homicide
Maternal mortality
HIV and AIDS
Mental Health Outcomes
 Depression
 Fear
 Anxiety
 Low self-esteem
 Sexual dysfunction
 Eating problems
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder
 Post-traumatic stress disorder
The Life Cycle of Violence Against
Women and Its Effects on Health
Violence Against Women : Direct and Indirect
Pathways to HIV/AIDS/STIs and Unwanted Pregnancy

Suicide, Abortion, Maternal Neonatal Adverse

Reproductiv
homicide miscarriag mortality morbidity/ pregnanc
e morbidity/
e mortality y
mortality
outcomes

Source: Adapted from Heise, et al., 1995 Population Reports/CHANGE

References
1. Heise, L. (1998) Violence against women: An
integrated, ecological framework. 4(3): p. 262-­‐
290.
2. Heise, L (2011) What works to prevent partner
violence? An evidence review. UK Department for
International Development.
Thank you!

Any questions?
 UNIT: 5 SELF-
EXPLORATION/SELF-
AWARENESS ON
GENDER ISSUES
Purpose and Expected Learning
Outcomes
Purpose:
Attain self – awareness and knowledge about personal

beliefs, values and biases on gender to enable better

work with clients
Expected Learning Outcomes:
Attain self-awareness and knowledge on personal

beliefs, values, biases and issues on gender to

facilitate better practice
Activity: Self – Exploration Exercise (5
minutes)
Statements will be read out and participants should decide

whether a statement is TRUE or FALSE. After each statement,

those who think the statement is true should move to the right
of the room and those who think it is false should move to the
left. those who are not sure stay in the middles of the room
Statements
 Women are raped by strangers in dark places outside the home.
 Rape of men is more shameful than that of women.
 There is no rape in marriage.
 Women say ‘No’ when they mean ‘Yes’.
 Men rape because they are overcome by sexual urges.
 Men who rape are obviously not normal.
Myths and Facts
Myth: Women ask to be raped.
Fact: Rape is violent and humiliating. The rapist often uses threats and life endangering

force, so the survivor fears injury or death. No one asks for the fear and trauma of rape.
Myth: ‘Young attractive girls’ get raped.
Fact: Rapists do not choose survivors by appearance or age. Any woman may be raped.

The age range of survivors is from 2 days to 103 years

Myths and Facts (cont’d)
Myth: Rapists are strangers.
Fact: Studies show that 60–75% of rapists know their

survivors. Acquaintance rape and date rape are a real

danger, especially for teens and young adults.
Myth: Sexual violence is impulsive, done for sexual

gratification.
Fact: Most rapes are planned in advance. The rapist stalks a victim or waits for a safe

opportunity and finds a victim. Sexual gratification is not the motive for rape; it is an act of
anger, aggression and control with sex used as a weapon.
Myths about Date Rape
Myth 1: A woman who gets raped usually deserves it, especially
if she has agreed to go to a man’s house or park with him
Fact: No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man’s house or
car does not mean a woman has agreed to have sex with him.
Myth 2: If a woman agrees to allow a man to pay for dinner or
drinks, it means she owes him sex.
Fact: Sex is not an implied pay back for dinner or other
expenses, no matter how much money has been spent.
Myths about Date Rape (cont’d)
Myth 3: Acquaintance rape is committed by men who are easy to
identify as rapists
Myth 4: Intimate kissing or certain kinds of touching mean that
intercourse is inevitable.
Fact: Every one’s right to say ‘no’ should be honored, regardless of
the activity which preceded it.
Myth 5: Once a man reaches a certain point of arousal, sex is
inevitable and they can’t help forcing themselves upon a woman.
Fact: Men are capable of exercising restraint with sexual urges.
Myths about Date Rape (cont’d)
Myth 6: Most women lie about acquaintance rape because they have
regrets after consensual rape
Fact: Acquaintance rape really happens to people one
Myth 7: Women who say ‘no’ really means ‘yes’
Fact: This notion is based on rigid and outdated sexual stereotypes.
Myth 8: Certain behaviors such as drinking or dressing in a sexually
appealing way make rape a woman’s responsibility
Fact: Drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way is not an invitation
for sex. Rape isn’t about sex; it’s about power, control and violence.
These Myths
Increase the trauma experienced by the survivor.
Encourage prejudice about the legal liability of both the survivor and the accused.
Slow down or prevent the recovery of the survivor.
Discourage survivors from reporting the rape as a crime.
Help lawyers assist offenders escape conviction or reduce their sentence.
Hamper society’s understanding of sexual violence and the serious effect it has on

survivors
Survivors are denied the support and assistance they need to heal from sexual violation.
Thank you!

Any questions?