Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is discrimination, aggression, and human rights violations that affect women and girls disproportionately because of their gender. Shelah Bloom defined GBV as an all-encompassing term referring to violence that occurs due to patriarchal gender role expectations and power differences based on gender within a society. GBV, often referred to as interpersonal violence, often results in physical, sexual, emotional, or economic suffering or harm. This entry begins with a brief description of different types of GBV, followed by information on the effects of GBV. Then follows a discussion of the causes of GBV within a socioecological model as well as avenues for prevention and intervention.