Gender based violence and its types in gender studies

 Comment on power and control relationship in gender-based violence.

Outline

1.     Introduction

2.     Definition of gender-based violence and its types

3.     The relationship of power and control in GBV

4.     Impacts of GBV

5.     Recommendations to control GBV

6.     Conclusion

Introduction:

                   The roots of gender-based violence lie in patriarchal values. Such values are based on the struggle for power and control to suppress the other genders. The power and control of GBV can be found in the psychoanalytic, and structural nature of violence is found in political, economic, and social structures.

Definition and types of gender-based violence

Definition

Gender-based violence is the type of violence perpetrated on someone based on their gendered identity. (UNHCR)

Types

 

Direct violence                                                                                Indirect violence

·        Acid attacks                                                                            Harassment

·        Honor killings                                                                         Stalking

·        Rape                                                                     Lack of recognition of women

·        Assault, battery                                                                       Sexism

·        Domestic violence

How gender-based violence is linked to power and control

Psychoanalytical Analysis

a.     Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalytics

According to Sigmund Freud, the personality development of a person goes through ID, superego, and ego. An incomplete transition between ID and ego gives rise to violent tendencies.

ID

                                                                                      Faulty transition here

                                                       leads to violence.

                               Ego

 

 

 

                               Super Ego

           Illustration:

·        Misogynism

·        Male narcissism leading to violence

·        Noor Muqaddam murder

·        Motorway rape case

b.     Concept of Penis Envy and Vagina Envy

The gendered superiority also lies in psychoanalytic and according to it, one’s genital identity gives him power and control.

 

 

           Illustration:

·        Men consider themselves dominant and masculine because of their genitals.

·        The women are an inferiority complex because of their genitals.

·        Consensus on androcentric values.

Structural Analysis

Gendered based violence is entrenched in social structures at:

 

 

Economic 

At cultural                                         At political

Level                                        level                                                   level

1.     At the Economic level:

The system of capitalism has granted power and control to men who not only subjugate women but also exploit them.

         Illustration:

·        Prostitution as a business for wealthy men.

·        Not recognizing the domestic services of women.

·        Lack of access to women to economic resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.     At the Cultural level:

Reality lies in social and cultural patterns

                 (JS Mill)

The roots of patriarchy emanate not only from psychoanalytic but from culture as well. Few cultures ghettoize women and encourage violence.

        Illustration:

·        Culture of honor killing.

·        Culture of confinement of women at home.

·        Past traditions of Satti.

·        Glass ceilings that prevent the rise of women to top levels.

·        Culture of feminization of poverty.

·        Not recognition of other genders.

3.     At the Political level:

The patriarchal power and control manifest themselves at the political level as well. Here, women are alienated from policy making. Women persistently face sexism and face impediments to forming women-related laws.

         Illustration:

·        Lack of autonomy given to women perpetrates violence.

·        Unequal representation of women at the political level.

 

 

Impacts of power and control in GBV

1.     Alienation of women

2.     Misogyny

3.     Iconoclastic values

4.     Marginalization

5.     Feminization of poverty

The way forward for mitigating gender-based violence

 

             Social level                                                           Legal level

·        Narrative of                                                             Strict laws

media                                                                      Constitutional protection of

                                                                                economic rights and glass

                                                                                ceilings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Economic level                                                          Political level

·        Grants and schemes                                                   Equal representation                                                                                                                               

·        Break the glass ceiling                                                    More women committees

 

 

 

Conclusion

                   To sum up, GBV is directly linked to psychoanalytic and structural issues. It can only be addressed through policy formation at multifaceted levels.

If development is not gendered, it is engendered.

                                           (World Bank)