Guide for Community Assessments on Women's Health Care - ICRW

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Women’s fear of violence, which limits their control over their sexual lives, is a major factor in
the growing spread of HIV in Africa.
Women face severe violence when HIV or STIs enter the home. They are the first to be blamed
and abused (<strong>for</strong> getting HIV) even if the husband is the carrier. Women are beaten, chased
from their homes, abandoned to relatives, and lose their property. When women become sick,
they are abandoned and left on their own.
Cycle of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence often follows a pattern. The man first abuses the woman verbally, then starts to
slap her, and then moves to battering. Following this there may be a “honeymoon” phase, when the
husband is loving and kind. However, the cycle usually repeats itself.
Women’s Response
Many women who suffer through a long-term, violent relationship are often reluctant to get out of
the relationship. Men may threaten women to keep them from leaving. Women may feel unable to
tell their relatives, fearing that they will be blamed or not taken seriously. Women also may fear losing
their children or that the children will be harmed if there is an open conflict in the marriage. Women
may not want to break up the family, admit the marriage has failed or they may simply have nowhere
to go. Sometimes they have no choice but to stay in a violent relationship.
How Does the <strong>Community</strong> View Gender-based Violence?
Gender-based violence can be seen as normal. Communities may believe men have the right to beat
their wives as a <strong>for</strong>m of discipline.
Health care providers may see gender-based violence as normal. They treat it as an “accident,” rather
than something they need to take action on.
Gender-based violence is perceived as a “domestic affair,” which needs to be resolved at home, not
taken to the police station. Communities often believe that women should not tell others about being
beaten by their husbands.
Gender-based Violence is Wrong
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Gender-based violence is painful and humiliating. It destroys women’s health and self-esteem,
their productivity, and the health of the family and community.
Gender-based violence also fuels the HIV epidemic. Women become silent out of fear and
don’t disclose their status to others, creating a cycle of HIV infection.
Gender-based violence is not acceptable. Even a slap is violence. Gender-based violence
should be stopped, rather than accepted in silence.
There is no excuse <strong>for</strong> violence. Nobody deserves to be beaten. Women have the right to be
safe from all <strong>for</strong>ms of violence.
Assault is a criminal offense. People who beat women should be held accountable <strong>for</strong> their
behavior.
Health providers should do more than patch women up and send them home.
Annex A: Fact Sheets 99