Gender based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women has been the biggest challenge to create a gender-equal world.  Gender-based violence is extremely pervasive and exists and presents in many different forms like sexual harassment, rape, physical, emotional and psychological abuse, domestic violence etc. There are many social norms and customs which can be classified as GBV. For instance practices like female genital mutilation, dowry, child marriage or breast ironing also fall under gender-based violence against women and girls. The primary cause of gender-based violence is the unequal power structures in patriarchal societies. Toxic male masculinity, male aggression and toxic personality are typically endorsed by society. Whereas women are supposed to have a submissive personality who surrenders. Men are supposed to control and dominate women. These dynamics have created dynamics in the society that perpetuate GBV. Men often try to exert their dominance and control over women forcefully. Sexual and physical abuse is the biggest weapon that men have used against women when they needed to control them. In order to tackle gender-based violence, we must first address the gender inequalities that exist in society. Unless women are treated and valued equally to men, it's difficult to stop violence against women and girls. It's also very crucial to breaking the gender stereotypes that traditionally considers women as the weaker sex, and expect them to be dominated by the opposite sex. We should work with men and boys to sensitize them about masculinity. Masculinity does not mean having more power over women. Masculinity doesn't mean hurting women.