Answer to Question #195565 in English for Dennis

Question

Write a research based essay in which you discuss the causes and effects of gender based violence(300 words)

Answer 1

Gender-based violence against women is one of the most prevalent expressions of the power inequality that exists between women and men. There is no specific cause of gender-based violence in societies but rather a myriad of factors contribute towards the root cause of the problem. Studies indicate that causes of gender-based violence especially against women are socio-cultural, economic, and legal in nature. Consequently, gender-based violence has been found to result in physical and psychological consequences to its victims. This paper looks at the causes and effects of gender-based violence on women.

Cultural factors, such as gender stereotypes, patriarchal and sexist views have often been used to justify violence against women. The cultural norms have depicted and dictated that men are more aggressive and dominant than women. Women have been portrayed as subservient and docile, who depend on men for provisions. These norms have resulted in abuses such as female genital mutilation, rape, and early marriages.

Economically, women who have lacked or had inadequate access to resources have been rendered vulnerable to violence from men who generally have control over resources. Lack of economic empowerment has created room for the growth of violence and poverty that becomes self-perpetuating and thus making it very challenging for the victims to disengage themselves. In cases where men are also poverty-stricken, they can also resort to violence in order to assert their masculinity and dominance.

Gender-based violence has been regarded as a shameful experience that depicts weakness if shared or reported. This has resulted in underreporting of these cases and thus encouraging suffering in silence. Further, society has placed women under the spot with the false claims of them been part of the problem by partly attracting violence on themselves through the behaviors such as dressing. Until recently, laws in many countries have had not differentiated between public and private spaces and thus placing women in very vulnerable conditions of being abused.

Gender-based violence is caused by socio-cultural factors, economic, and legal factors. If not addressed it can result in physical and psychological effects on the victims.