The serious public health burden of gender violence 

Context: Gender-based violence constitutes one of the serious public health burdens in India. 

What is gender-based violence? 

‘Gender-based violence’ refers to violence that is directed towards an individual owing to their gender and/or sexual orientation. It also includes efforts to bring young boys or LGBTQIA+ individuals into dominant forms of masculinity or femininity. 

Global and National Trends of Gender-Based Violence 

Globally, every third woman faced physical or sexually-intimate partner violence or both at least once in their lives (UN Women estimates).  

In India, Nearly, one in four women has experienced physical or sexual abuse by a partner (As per NFHS).  

Socially or economically disadvantaged women are at a higher risk of being exposed to such violence. 

Now, women and girls have to confront newer forms of violence. It includes online abuses, for example, digital misogyny, online stalking, morphing of images, abusive trolling, death and rape threats on social media platforms etc. For example, In India, around 50% of women on social media has been facing cyber abuse.  

What are the impacts associated with gender violence? 

Women are subjected to extreme “Allostatic load”: Allostasis refers to an equilibrium (homeostasis) maintained by adapting to stressful situations through the release of stress hormones. It helps to reduce or eliminate the stressors. If allostatic load is in excess over a period of time. It leads to bad outcomes including depression, anxiety, heart disease, etc. Therefore, gender-based violence becomes a serious public health burden. 

Public health burdens: It leads to injuries, unintended pregnancies, pregnancy complications, poor reproductive and sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulties with intimacy and interpersonal relationships, and death etc. 

What is the way forward? 

Address the underreporting of gender-based violence. Survivors do not seek support because of the shame, stigma and self-blame associated with such violence, worsening its impact 

There should be digital inclusion of Indian women. The Indian digital sphere is male dominated; For example, only 33% of internet users are female in India. Only 8% of Twitter users are female. Only 25% Facebook users are women in India (As per NFHS-5 report)  

There is a need to recognize patriarchy as a toxin. Its worst effect is gender-based violence.  

We must stop normalizing violence, discrimination and exclusion against women. Everyone has a right to a life. 

Source: The post is based on an article “The serious public health burden of gender violence” published in the Live Mint on 24th Mar 22.