Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

Gender based violenceGender based violence is described as any act of violence against a person based onthe person’s sex — mostly towards girls and women, but increasingly also againstmen. This includes threats of violent acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,whether occurring in public or private life. Gender based violence results in, oris likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering 52 .In war situations, the risk of gender-based violence increases within the vulnerablegroups who are often women and children, especially girls. This is due to a combinationof factors such as the breakdown of law and order, drug abuse, displaced population,loss of income and family support and rape by military personnel. A woman’seconomic insecurity may increase the likelihood of her engaging in high‐risk behaviours.Rape (mostly against females) as part of wartime strategy of conquest has multiplemeanings and sources:▶ Symbolic: rape of female enemy represents conquest and power overthe enemy’s national and cultural identity,▶ Constitutive: the soldier or rebel’s identity needs legitimacy as it helpsto build,▶ Relational: a dominating masculinity needed for warfare, the perpetratorin relation to the subjugated women and to the emasculated/weakenedenemy men.Gender based violence is both a cause and consequence of HIV infection and Aidsdue to the following:▶ Female circumcision (harm and injury to one’s body) can lead to HIV infection,when using a single blade for different persons, even if only one personcarries the HIV virus.180 V. V I O L E N C E