effects of GBV and possible solutions

Since the beginning of creation  women have been the fabric of human existence. yet unfortunately they have been subjected to discrimination, endured different forms of abuse, and their human rights have been violated on a daily basis. Gender-violence has significant impact at  the individual, with victims suffering from physical and mental effects and greater societal impacts just to mention a few.

The effects of GBV and consequence of violence against women last for generations. Children who witness domestic violence are at increased risks of going through anxiety, depression, low-self esteem and poor school performance, among  other problems that harm their wellbeing and their development as children. Exposure to violence increases the risk of poorer mental health. The following are some of the effects of GBV:

Psychological trauma

 The damage caused by psychological abuse is often visible but resulting trauma can be far more devastating than that resulting from physical trauma.

Effects from psychological trauma include: anxiety, eating and sleeping disorder, poor self-esteem, depression, feeling ashamed and guilty, panic disorder and abuse of drugs and alcohol, just to mention a few.

Effects  of violence on reproductive health

Unwanted pregnancies-  women who are abused are at a higher risk for unwanted  pregnancies as these 

women  do not have reproductive rights  and they are often forced to have sexual intercourse  without the use of contraceptive. They also  face a higher risk of unsafe abortions due to lack of education and lack of training.

leads to the abused contract all sort of sexual transmitted diseases or infections

physical trauma

The effects of physical trauma can be minor or life threatening and result in permanent disabilities or death.

Effects of violence on Society

The effects on society is both direct and indirect. Due to injuries sustained ,abused women can not carry out their day to day activities and their children who have witnessed the abuse tend to perform poorly in school and withdraw from friends and other social activities.

possible solutions of GBV

- Empowering women and making them understand that the violence they experience is unacceptable

- Educating boys from childhood that violence against women is an offense and violation of human rights.

- Educate communities that women are not chattel or movable property but individuals who need to be valued and not abused

- policy makers and activists must realize  the importance of investing in primary prevention against violence against women and girls. Primary prevention  strategies must foster the creation of global social environment that promotes gender equality and sharing of power between men and women.