Addressing Gender-Based Violence: A Global Health and Human Rights Issue

Every day across the world, women face violence that threatens their safety, dignity, and fundamental rights. From domestic abuse behind closed doors to sexual assault and human trafficking, gender-based violence represents one of the most pervasive violations of human rights. Despite decades of awareness and advocacy, this crisis continues to affect millions of women, cutting across all social, economic, and cultural boundaries.

Understanding the scope of gender-based violence 🔗

Gender-based violence encompasses any harmful act directed at an individual based on their gender. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in three women worldwide has experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. This staggering statistic reveals the massive scale of the problem.

In India, the situation remains particularly concerning. Studies indicate that 26 percent of women have reported experiencing physical violence from spouses during their lifetime, with prevalence rates reaching as high as 45 percent in certain states like Uttar Pradesh. National Crime Records Bureau data shows that reported incidents of crime against women increased by 87 percent between 2011 and 2021, from more than 228,650 to 428,278 cases.

The forms of violence are diverse and deeply entrenched. Domestic violence accounts for more than 30 percent of crimes against women in India, making it the most common type of gender-based violence. Sexual assault, dowry-related abuse, and human trafficking add to this burden, creating an environment where many women live in constant fear.

Why gender-based violence is a public health crisis 🔗

Violence against women extends far beyond isolated criminal acts. The World Health Organization recognizes gender-based violence as a significant public health problem because of its devastating and long-lasting impacts on physical and mental health.

Physical health consequences 🔗

The physical toll of violence manifests in multiple ways. Forty-two percent of women who experience intimate partner violence report injuries as a direct consequence. Beyond immediate injuries, survivors face increased risks of unintended pregnancies, induced abortions, gynecological problems, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Women who have been physically or sexually abused are 1.5 times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection compared to women who have not experienced partner violence.

For pregnant women, the risks multiply. Research shows that women experiencing intimate partner violence are 16 percent more likely to suffer miscarriages and 41 percent more likely to experience pre-term births. These complications threaten not only the mother’s health but also the survival and wellbeing of their children.

Mental health impacts 🔗

The psychological consequences of gender-based violence can be equally severe and often more enduring. Mental health impacts for survivors include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-harm, suicidal behavior, and sleep disturbances. Studies reveal that women who have experienced intimate partner violence are almost twice as likely to experience depression and problem drinking.

In India, surveys found that 40 percent of survivors had poor mental health following experiences of violence. The trauma extends beyond the immediate victim, affecting children who witness domestic violence and creating intergenerational cycles of abuse and mental health challenges.

Roots of violence: gender inequality and patriarchy 🔗

Gender-based violence does not occur in a vacuum. The persistence of violence against women in India is deeply rooted in entrenched systems of sexism and patriarchy that permeate cultural norms and social structures. These systems establish and maintain male dominance while limiting women’s agency and access to resources.

At the societal level, patriarchal beliefs create broad acceptance or normalization of gender-based violence under certain circumstances, such as when women are perceived to have failed in household duties or challenged gender norms. The stigma associated with divorce and separation further traps women in abusive relationships, as leaving can bring social ostracism and economic hardship.

Gender inequality manifests early in life. Young girls often face unequal access to education, receive less nutritious food than their male counterparts, and are socialized to accept subordinate roles. This conditioning continues into adulthood, where many women come to perceive violence as a routine aspect of married life rather than a violation of their rights.

Human trafficking: exploitation and modern slavery 🔗

Human trafficking represents one of the most severe forms of gender-based violence. In India, although illegal under law, human trafficking remains a significant problem, with women and girls trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage.

The National Crime Records Bureau identified over 6,500 human trafficking victims in 2022, with 60 percent being women and girls. Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, food insecurity, lack of education, and limited legal protection to lure, trick, and force women into exploitation.

The health consequences for trafficking victims are severe. Women forced into trafficking face higher risks for HIV, tuberculosis, and other sexually transmitted diseases, along with mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The lack of control and constant trauma exacerbate these health risks, while the criminalized nature of their circumstances often prevents them from seeking medical care.

Legal frameworks and protective measures in India 🔗

India has developed several legal frameworks to address gender-based violence, though implementation challenges persist.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 🔗

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act came into force on October 26, 2006, providing the first comprehensive legal definition of domestic violence in Indian law. The Act defines domestic violence broadly to include not only physical violence but also emotional, verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.

The legislation empowers magistrates to issue protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, and custody orders. It provides for the appointment of Protection Officers in each district to assist women in filing complaints, accessing legal aid, obtaining medical care, and connecting with shelter services. However, implementation gaps remain, particularly in rural areas where Protection Officer positions are often assigned to existing officers as additional duties rather than dedicated roles.

Legislation against human trafficking 🔗

India’s anti-trafficking framework includes multiple laws. Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits human trafficking and forced labor, while the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act of 1956 specifically targets commercial sexual exploitation. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, with 412 dedicated courts across 29 states and territories, addresses child trafficking cases, though judges and prosecutors sometimes lack specialized training.

Despite these legal provisions, enforcement remains inconsistent. Police do not always file First Information Reports correctly under trafficking crimes, and prosecutors often lack adequate training on trafficking laws. The absence of specialized courts for adult trafficking cases and massive judicial backlogs further hinder effective prosecution and conviction.

Support systems and intervention programs 🔗

Recognizing the multifaceted nature of gender-based violence, India has established various support mechanisms. The One Stop Centre scheme, launched in 2015, provides integrated services including police facilitation, medical aid, legal assistance, counseling, and temporary shelter under one roof. Currently, 752 such centers operate across India, having assisted over 800,000 women.

However, significant gaps in healthcare response persist. India lacks a national policy to strengthen the health sector’s response to gender-based violence. Most One Stop Centres do not have dedicated health system personnel, relying instead on auxiliary nurses or midwives who lack mandates for conducting medical examinations in rape or domestic violence cases. This gap means survivors often cannot access the comprehensive medical care they need.

The path forward: comprehensive approaches needed 🔗

Addressing gender-based violence requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. Prevention strategies must challenge gender norms from early childhood through education and community interventions. Schools need to incorporate gender sensitization programs that teach respect for women and challenge harmful stereotypes.

Healthcare systems must improve their capacity to identify and support survivors. This includes training providers to recognize signs of abuse, ensuring privacy and confidentiality in healthcare settings, establishing clear referral pathways to other services, and documenting cases appropriately. Mental health and psychosocial support services need better integration into primary healthcare rather than remaining separate, inaccessible systems.

Legal reforms must continue, with focus on effective implementation rather than just legislative changes. This means adequate funding for Protection Officers, specialized training for judges and prosecutors, faster case disposal, and ensuring survivors can access compensation and rehabilitation services without bureaucratic obstacles.

Economic empowerment programs that combine financial independence with social support can help women escape abusive situations. Community-based interventions that engage men and boys in challenging violent behaviors and promoting gender equality show promise in changing long-term attitudes and reducing violence.

What do you think? How can communities better support survivors of gender-based violence while working to prevent future violence? What role should educational institutions play in challenging the patriarchal norms that perpetuate violence against women?

References

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4216486/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_women_in_India
4. https://www.who.int/news/item/25-11-2021-gender-based-violence-is-a-public-health-issue-using-a-health-systems-approach
5. https://healthcluster.who.int/our-work/thematic-collaborations/gender-based-violence-in-health-emergencies
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8752615/
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_India
8. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-trafficking-4
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protection_of_Women_from_Domestic_Violence_Act,_2005
10. https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/scert/protection-women-domestic-violence-act-2005
11. https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/india/
12. https://www.isdm.org.in/blog/its-womens-day-but-on-ground-little-has-changed
13. https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/india-lacks-national-policy-strengthen-health-response-gender-based-violence