Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is “any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person's will and that is based on sociallyascribed (i.e., gender) differences between males and females. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or mental harmor suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty. These acts can occur in public or in private.”173 Women, girls and transwomen are disproportionately affected by GBV due to the systemic inequality between males and femalesthat exists in all societies. According to estimates of the World Health Organization, approximately one in every three womenexperiences sexual or physical violence, very often at the hands of her intimate partner.174 The term ‘gender-based violence’ is also increasingly used by some actors to highlight the gendered dimensions of certainforms of violence against men and boys, particularly some forms of sexual violence committed with the explicit purpose ofreinforcing inequitable gender norms of masculinity and femininity. Examples include sexual violence committed in armed conflictswith the aim of emasculating or feminizing the enemy. This violence against males is based on socially constructed ideas ofwhat it means to be a man and to exercise male power. It is used by men (and in rare cases by women) to cause harm to othermales.175 Finally, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons may also experience GBV, because they are perceived byothers to be “defying gender norms”.176

In any emergency, certain groups of individuals in affected populations are more vulnerable to GBV. These individuals oftenhold less power in society, are more dependent on others for survival, and are less visible in the community or otherwisemarginalized. When other factors, such as age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or ethnicity intersectwith gender-based discrimination, the risk of GBV is likely to rise.177 In humanitarian contexts, women, men, girls and boys with disabilities experience multiple, intersecting, and sometimes mutuallyreinforcing forms of discrimination and oppression, adding to the risk of violence, including GBV, that they may face. Womenand girls with disabilities disproportionately experience GBV; they are victims of domestic violence twice as frequently asother women. Because of the discrimination and stigma associated with both gender and disability, this violence also takesunique forms. For example, women and girls with disabilities are more likely to be subjected to forced medical treatment,including forced sterilization and other reproductive health procedures, without their consent.

Risks associated with GBV during crises and displacement

Female caregivers may experience harassment when they try to access services or assistance for their husband or for a malehead-of-household with a disability. Adolescent girls may be removed from school to assist with caregiving needs in the household.181 Members of the community, the authorities or humanitarian actors may not listen to or believe women and girls with disabilitieswho report violence or want to negotiate safe sexual relationships. These forms of harassment or discrimination reduce theiraccess to services and exacerbate stigma, discrimination, and harmful attitudes and norms; often, in addition, they increasethe impunity of perpetrators.

The following guidance will assist humanitarian actors who work on GBV to identify and address barriers faced by persons withdisabilities, as well as their families, support persons and caregivers, when they try to access GBV prevention mechanismsor respond to GBV in humanitarian settings.