Being subjected to abuse because you are a woman, or because you do not conform to expected gender roles, is a daily reality for many people around the world. This is a finding that Equipop and its partners have been making for more than twenty years. The fight against gender-based violence has therefore become a crucial issue in our actions.
Over the years, we have seen what can be described as a continuum of violence emerge: the links between different manifestations of gender-based violence have become increasingly apparent, as has their systemic nature and the fact that they are closely linked to sexism and male domination. At the same time, we have collectively identified levers for action to help prevent and address this violence.
One observation: gender-based and sexual violence are universal forms of violence linked to male domination.
[vc_column width= »1/2″]From female genital mutilation to forced pregnancies and child marriages, from sexist insults to rape and gynecological and obstetric violence (GOV), women and girls around the world are exposed to abuse throughout their lives. Gender-based violence is not fixed in time or space. Its manifestations may differ from one context to another and evolve over time, with the emergence of new forms of violence such as cyberbullying and cyberviolence. This violence is universal. It is found in all geographical areas. Victims can come from all backgrounds, classes, ages, cultures, and religions. It occurs both in private spheres (within couples and families) and in public spaces (schools, social or religious institutions, workplaces, streets, and transportation).
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Gender-based violence is thus intrinsically linked to the organization of our patriarchal societies, which are based on gender inequality. Feminist research has examined how such violence constitutes a means of social control over women's bodies and autonomy. This research also shows how such violence is fueled by the belief that women belong to men and must submit to their will. Thus, gender discrimination is not only at the root of such violence, but also contributes significantly to its acceptance and invisibility. Gender discrimination intersects with other power dynamics related to origin and class, for example, which generates different levels of social injustice. Some women at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination and oppression are therefore particularly vulnerable to violence. In addition, certain types of violence are committed against specific groups.
Take action, but how?
Building a world free from gender-based and sexual violence requires the mobilization of as many people as possible, from the individual to the global level, in all areas of society. There must be multiple levers for action, and there is no single magic solution. However, over the years, Equipop and its partners have developed convictions and identified priority areas for action that enable them to contribute to this global struggle.
MAKE ALL VIOLENCE VISIBLE
One of the major challenges in combating violence is its invisibility, with numerous social, institutional, and subjective barriers to recognizing this phenomenon. First, because gender-based violence is the dominant norm and is internalized by the entire population, including women themselves. For example, the latest Demographic and Health Survey in Senegal shows that 40% of women find it normal for a man to beat his wife for a number of reasons, ranging from burnt food to refusal to have sex. Furthermore, the language used by the media and society seeks to euphemize reality through expressions such as "crimes of passion" to refer to femicides, "abusers" to refer to rapists, and "wandering hands" to refer to sexual assault. However, naming violence accurately means politicizing the issue and shifting the boundaries between what is tolerable and what is not. It should also be noted that politicians invest little in research, that there is a severe lack of data, including qualitative data, and that few women's stories are made public or, when they are, they are often subject to attempts to discredit them. To help raise awareness and understanding of this violence, Equipop is involved in a range of activities: providing financial support to associations and activists who campaign against violence on the streets or in the media, facilitating spaces for sharing feminist experiences and research, publishing a collection of women's life stories, and supporting research.
Preventing female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriages by placing them within the context of gender-based and sexual violence (GBV) –For nearly 20 years, Equipophas been supporting associations and community actors who are carrying out integrated and holistic actions to end the practice of FGM in West Africa and France. For a long time, actions have focused specifically on ending the practice of female genital mutilation and providing medical care for its consequences. However, girls who have undergone female genital mutilation are also often exposed to forced marriage. These two practices stem from the same structural causes: patriarchal systems based on gender inequality. The lasting abandonment of female genital mutilation and forced marriage, like the fight against all forms of gender-based violence, can therefore only be achieved through changes in social norms and the questioning of unequal power relations. This is why, in the future, those involved in the fight against female genital mutilation and forced marriage wish to take even greater account of the continuum of violence by extending their mission to the prevention of all forms of gender-based and sexual violence. Similarly, activities to address the medical consequences of female genital mutilation will be extended to include broader legal and socio-psychological support for victims of gender-based violence. At the same time, specific activities will be carried out with men and boys to encourage them to question their masculinity.
See also: Combating gynecological and obstetric violence (Senegal)
INFORM AND RAISE AWARENESS
Information and awareness are powerful drivers for action. Education, particularly comprehensive sexuality education in schools and informal settings, as well as training for professionals, policymakers, and the media, are fundamental. All actions that contribute to seeing and hearing a reality other than that of the dominant narratives are also transformative. Supporting the creation of spaces that both welcome women's voices and give them access to information and tools they can use to take action, defend themselves, and rebuild their lives is essential. Finally, work on masculinities is also an avenue identified by Equipop as one to be explored, starting at a very young age.
IDENTIFY AND TAKE CHARGE
Identifying violence, listening to the women concerned, analyzing their needs for and with them, referring them to or giving them access to specialized support and assistance services are all necessary steps for effective care. Gender-based violence (GBV) requires coordinated interventions from various services, to which victims must be referred according to their wishes and needs. It is always necessary to obtain their informed consent before sharing information, and this applies to each new referral.
MAKING THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENCE A POLITICAL PRIORITY
The mobilization of public authorities is an essential lever for putting gender-based violence on the political agenda. This mobilization must translate into the allocation of financial resources to train and strengthen the capacities of professionals (staff in the health, education, social services, gendarmerie, police, legal, and judicial sectors) at every stage of victim support. Funding is also necessary for the proper functioning of shelters, reception centers, and care facilities for victims and their children, with the aim of promoting their recovery.
See also: Reporting and preventing gender-based and sexual violence in schools (Niger) Women's rights and health; preventing and reducing vulnerabilities during and after the Covid-19 crisis (Burkina Faso)
SUPPORTING ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Women activists and groups play an essential role and must be supported. Numerous studies show that major advances in the fight against violence have been achieved thanks to the mobilization of women. They are often at the forefront of social, political, institutional, and systemic change. Their role is also crucial in providing medical, legal, psychological, and socioeconomic care to victims, as public policies and services are often ill-equipped to meet the immense needs. For several years, Equipop has been providing long-term support to associations and activists, particularly in West Africa, as well as their collective actions. This is a strategic focus of our work, which is set to grow even stronger in the coming years.
See also: Gender-based violence – a guide to understanding and taking action
