Webpage: Gender-Based Violence Brief

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a worldwide issue, but is particularly prevalent in Africa., There are various types of GBV, including marital rape and sexual abuse within the family, human trafficking and forced prostitution, and rape perpetrated by a person unknown to a woman. Many customary African practices such as early marriage and genital mutilation expose women to GBV on a daily basis, and systematic rape is increasingly being used as a weapon in conflicts. Women who suffered GBV are also more vulnerable to contracting HIV. In Sub Saharan Africa, 57 percent of adults living with HIV are women while two thirds of young HIV positive people are women and girls. This brief gathers information and evidence from various studies, suggests further reading, including case studies, and presents ways forward that include:
? Engaging social, political, religious and other leaders in speaking out against violence against women
? Developing, implementing and evaluating programmes aimed at primary prevention of intimate partner violence and sexual violence
? Making schools safe for girls
? Integrating responses to violence against women in existing programmes for the prevention of HIV and AIDS, and for the promotion of adolescent health
? Strengthening formal and informal support systems for women living with violence