Gender Based Violence: Psychosocial, Economic and Physical Impacts and Proposed Mitigating Measures

Abstract

Gender-Based-Violence is the use of physical force or physical power to threaten an individual or group of people that you will harm or kill them. It is more common within the patriarchy system where men fill positions of authority and generally belief that what is good is associated with norms of masculinity and the focus is within themselves and for their actions. In Botswana GBV is common with 67 % of women having experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime. 44% of men also admitted having perpetrated violence against women at one time in their lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified GBV into sexual, physical or emotional violence. The psychosocial effects of GBV include intense guilt, bearing the responsibility for the problems that have happened, enduring the illtreatments quietly and shamefully without retaliation. Victims experience overwhelmingly chronic anxiety, uncertainty, and distress over their own situation as they are expected to retain the socially acceptable appearance of being strong. Economically, they incur out-of-pocket expenditures that are normally unbudgeted for, while physically they are exposed to all kinds of injuries and aches, sometimes permanent deformities. GBV requires multi-disciplinary approach to mitigate. This can start from individual to government level.