By Miriam Williams

Gender-based violence is a broad topic that requires focused attention on the most affected by this phenomenon. In this installation, I will attempt to define the issue, outline the general social acceptance of gender-based violence, highlight some issues women and men face with relevance to the topic, and discuss the impact on children, highlighting the cultural, religious, economic, media/music influence on this issue. I will deal with relevant topics in subsequent instalments, focusing on solutions.

Gender-based violence is defined as violence that targets individuals or groups of individuals on the basis of their gender. It includes violence committed against women and which is particular to women, such as rape, sexual assault, female circumcision, dowry burning, torture, mutilation, sexual slavery, forced impregnation and murder. It also includes violence that is committed against women for failure to conform to restrictive social norms. The Vienna Declaration has recognized gender-based violence as a human rights concern. Although the prevailing evidence is that women and children are the primary victims, violence also affect men, but for obvious reasons I will be focusing on women.

Violence against women is a traditionally taboo subject that finally has gotten the attention of the general public due to the recent spate of spousal murders and increase in reported cases of domestic abuse.There is however, substantial under-reporting of cases. Recent statistics obtained from the Ministry of Human Services suggests that for the period January to June 2010, 1584 children were abused, and 222 …..