Gender based Violence (GBV) is a suppressing issue that has been affecting many lives especially women worldwide. It has its forms and it is essential for people to have a wide knowledge of them to help raise awareness.
Physical violence. This is an act which causes trauma, injury or other physical suffering to someone intentionally. It involves any form of physical harm or force, for example, pushing, kicking, hitting, throwing objects and using weapons, just to mention a few. It also includes tying someone or locking them up in a room. Physical abuse mostly occurs in all types of relationships and in most cases it is children and women who are victims. Physical abuse is a crime which should be reported to the authorities and should not be tolerated.
Emotional/psychological abuse.This is a form of GBV which is characterized by a person exposing another person to a behavior that may result into depression, stress and anxiety. It is associated with power imbalance in relationships and may include bullying and abuse in workplaces. Luckily, there are organizations which offer emotional support like therapy sessions to victims, either online or offline.
Sexual abuse. This is any sexual act by violence to a person, regardless of the relationship to the victim. It is a serious health problem as it has short and long term impact on physical and mental health, such as increased risk of HIV infection or suicide. Though women and girls suffer the most, it can happen to anybody and can be conducted by parents, guardians, strangers as well as intimate partners. Even if sexual abuse cases are strongly prohibited by law enforcers, its mechanisms are fragile in many parts of Africa, especially Malawi.
Verbal abuse. This is a type of mental abuse that involves the use of gestured, oral and written languages towards a victim. It includes harassing, insulting, yelling or rebuking an individual. Sometimes people reach the extent of delivering statements with the aim of wanting to frighten, humiliate or belittle a person. These often result in mental distress for victims, leaving them with suicidal thoughts, a change in behavior and aggression.
Understanding some of the forms of Gender Based Violence helps in raising awareness. Forms like physical, emotional, sexual and verbal abuse should not be tolerated as they can leave victims with damaged personalities, depression, health problems and suicidal thoughts. Although sometimes the abusers may get away from the law, it is best to continue raising awareness as together we can end Gender based Violence.
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