Types of Gender-Based Violence and How to Address It

It manifests in many ways, and people do not always realize that certain actions constitute it. Some forms of gender-based violence are deeply rooted in culture and traditions and are still often considered normal. Unfortunately, this means that many cases of violence remain invisible and do not receive an adequate response.

How does violence against women emerge in the first place?

Gender-based violence is directed at women for the fact of them being women. It also includes violent acts that disproportionately affect women. Gender-based violence arises from systemic inequality in a patriarchal society, where power and resources have historically been distributed unequally between women and men. We still live in a situation of power imbalance: most people at the head of state, in lawmaking, and with significant influence are men. Because of this, women’s interests are underrepresented, and their safety, well-being, and human dignity are not treated as a priority.

Those who hold privilege benefit from maintaining the status quo, as well as the ideas that support it, including stereotypes about women’s supposed inferiority, irrationality, and limitations. Men are granted greater credibility, and their opinions are more often taken seriously. In such conditions, women are left unprotected; they are more often discriminated against, treated with prejudice, and restricted in their autonomy.

Gender-based violence has existed for thousands of years, was long perceived as the norm, and became entrenched in traditions. Historically, women had little to no control over their own bodies and lives. They were often viewed as incomplete or inferior human beings and reduced to a limited set of functions within the roles of mother, wife, and domestic worker. Unfortunately, this reality persists in one form or another, including in Ukraine. Let us recall, for example, the infamous cult of purity: controlling women’s sexuality, forcing them into marriage, wedding rituals of “defloration” accompanied by public humiliation, and harsh punishments for any perceived violations. Such traditions normalized violence for many years and continue to affect us to this day.

What forms of gender-based violence exist?

There are four broad forms of violence that most often affect women:

Physical violence

refers to any form of physical force and may occur, among other contexts, within domestic violence. It is essential to understand that this is not limited to severe beatings that leave visible injuries, but also includes slapping, pushing, restricting movement, or throwing objects.

Sexual violence

is any sexual act committed without consent. This includes rape, including by a partner or family member, as well as sexual exploitation or the use of another person’s body for gain. Sexual violence also includes harassment, which does not have to involve physical contact. Harassment can take the form of unsolicited comments about appearance, explicit jokes, intrusive staring, or ignoring refusals of romantic or sexual advances.

Psychological violence

includes actions that harm a person’s mental health and emotional well-being. The range of such actions is broad, but their primary aim is to establish control, reinforce fear, and force compliance. This may include insults, gaslighting, threats, stalking, violations of personal boundaries, and prohibitions or restrictions, for example, on communication or personal interests.

Economic violence

involves restricting access to resources and the ability to be financially independent. This includes not only taking away money or controlling bank accounts, but also obstructing or forbidding education or employment. The goal of this form of violence is to make a woman economically dependent on the perpetrator and deprive her of the possibility to leave.

Violence rarely begins with explicit threats or physical assault. Many of its manifestations are subtle and are often perceived as something minor: inappropriate comments, the repetition of sexist stereotypes, verbal microaggressions, or attempts to control a person’s social life. All forms of violence are closely interconnected and often overlap. For example, physical sexual harassment may be accompanied by verbal humiliation or gaslighting. Even an inappropriate joke for which no apology is offered, and where blame is shifted onto the woman for “not understanding humor,” constitutes violence. Such behavior must not be tolerated or supported, as it is part of rape culture.

There are also complex forms of violence, such as reproductive violence, in which a woman may be subjected to psychological pressure, for example, being shamed for not preserving virginity, being forced to refuse contraception, to become pregnant, or to have an abortion. This may be combined with economic restrictions, denial of access to healthcare, and physical and sexual abuse, including rape or bodily exploitation.

Violence in all its forms intensifies significantly in times of crisis, when women’s opportunities for protection are drastically reduced. Such circumstances often include occupation or active combat zones, where violence against women becomes an additional tool of warfare. In these contexts, levels of sexual violence against men by other men also increase.

How can gender-based violence be addressed?

Educate yourself about the causes and manifestations of violence and speak openly about it.
Do not tolerate sexist or otherwise abusive rhetoric. When it is safe to do so, call out manifestations of rape culture and challenge them. It is important to remember that violence is always a choice and should never be justified.
Pay attention to how women are spoken about in society, the media, and popular culture. Try to notice and name degrading or stigmatizing narratives. At the same time, reflect on your own beliefs, language, and actions.
Believe women who have experienced violence. Do not dismiss their experiences or blame them; when possible, support them and help amplify their stories.
Practice and promote a culture of consent: be mindful of others’ personal boundaries, respect them, ask for permission before physical contact, and acknowledge mistakes and apologize for them. Even if a certain interaction feels normal to you, another person has the right to refuse or express discomfort.