Containing gender based violence

Cross-cultural studies across the world show that predominantly men are the perpetrator and women are the victims of gender based violence. Therefore, men folk are always treated as opposition as far as violence against women is concern. Except few cases men also very rarely come forward to challenge gender based violence whether it is occurring in private or in public. Therefore, predominant approach to eliminate or reduce gender-based violence is blaming the perpetrators and punishing them. However, following this approach no society claimed success to end violence against women, as it could not touch the core reason of violence.

Very often it is considered that men are biologically aggressive and violent. They use force in their everyday life to fulfil their biological demand. However, studies indicate that reason of violence against women is social rather than biological. All men even in a given society are not same. Men's attitudes, behaviour varies with their class, age, education and so on. Justification for male violence generally occur from gender norms -- that is, social norms about the proper roles and responsibilities of men and women. In most cases men are considered as providers and maintainers for the family. Conversely, women are expected to tend the house and mind the children and obey and respect their husbands. A man could be violent if he perceives that his wife has somehow failed in her role. For instance, in Bangladesh, women are abused at home just for not obeying husband, not having food ready on time, failing to care adequately for the children and old persons, going somewhere without husband's permission, refusing sex with and questioning husband about money or his extra marital relationship.

Predominant male and female roles are taught to boys and girls from early childhood, not achieved biologically. From childhood men learn to use violence if women are unable to fulfil their roles. Indeed an ability to dominate women is perceived as a display of manhood. Therefore, there seems little hope for reducing violence against women if present gender norms and roles continue. Men as well as women need to learn new social behaviour and norms. Therefore, building partnership with men to change their behaviour is an important part of any solution of violence against women. It is time to encourage men to examine their assumptions about gender roles and behabiour and become agents for change towards containing gender based violence. So work with rather than against men to develop more inclusive, relevant responses to violence prevention to benefit the society.

Shamima Pervin is National Expert, UNDP