1. What is gender, gender inequality, and gender based violence Foundation of Gender Concepts:

2. What Is Gender? Gender refers to the social differences between males and females that are learned, and though deeply rooted in every culture, are changeable over time, and have wide variations both within and between cultures.

3. What Is the Difference Between Gender and Sex? Sex describes biological characteristics that distinguish males and females. Gender roles change over time and vary from culture to culture.

4. What Is Gender Inequality? Gender inequality is the difference in power and access to resources, rights and privileges based on gender roles and gender discrimination.

5. What is Gender Mainstreaming? Gender mainstreaming is the scrutiny, development and implementation of policies and laws to make sure there are no adverse effects on either gender, particularly women.

6. What Is Gender Based Violence? “Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella term for any harm that is perpetrated against a person’s will; that has a negative impact on the physical or psychological health, development, and identity of the person; it is the result of gendered power inequities that exploit distinctions between males and females, among males, and among females. Although not exclusive to women and girls, GBV disproportionately affects women and girls across all cultures. Violence may be physical, sexual, psychological, economic, or socio-cultural”. “If Not Now, When? Addressing Gender Based Violence in Refugee, Internally Displaced and Post-conflict Settings: A Global Overview” - Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Jeanne Ward, April 2002

7. What Does GBV Include? It encompasses but is not limited to : Physical, sexual, psychological violence occurring in the family, including: - Battering - Sexual abuse of children - Dowry related violence - Marital rape - Female genital mutilation - Harmful traditional practices Non-spousal violence and violence related exploitation

8. What Does GBV Include? Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring within the general community including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and intimidation at work, in educational institutions, and elsewhere Trafficking in women and forced prostitution Physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the state, wherever it occurs From the UN Declaration of Violence Against Women, adopted the United Nations General Assembly, Article 1 & 2, 1993).

9. Gender Violence Throughout the Life Cycle (0-25 years old) PhaseType of violence Infancy Female infanticide; emotional and physical abuse; differential access to food and medical care for girl infants Childhood / Pre-adolescence Child marriage; genital mutilation; sexual abuse by family members and strangers; differential access to food and medical care; child prostitution; bullying/violence at home, school or in the community due to not conforming to stereotypical gender roles Adolescence Dating and courtship violence (for example, acid throwing in Bangladesh, date rape in the United States); economically coerced sex (African secondary school girls having to take up with “sugar daddies” to afford school fees); sexual abuse in the workplace; rape; sexual harassment; forced prostitution; trafficking in women; violence, bullying or social pressure due to expressing / exploring a gender identity not accepted by the dominant culture. Reproductive Age Abuse of women by intimate male partners; marital rape; dowry abuse and murders; partner homicide; psychological abuse; sexual abuse in the workplace; sexual harassment; rape; abuse of women with disabilities; violence, bullying or social pressure due to not conforming to the gender identity and gender roles promoted by the dominant culture.

10. Gender Based Violence ≠ Violence Against Women and Girls Only Gender based violence is violence that is directed at an individual based on his or her biological sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity 1. More recently, the definition of GBV has been expanded to include all forms of violence that are related to (a) social expectations and social positions based on gender and (b) not conforming to a socially accepted gender role or gender identity 2. 1 Adapted from Gender-based Violence and HIV: A Program Guide for Integrating Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response in PEPFAR Programs. United States Strategy To Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence Globally, US Agency for International Development, 2012. 2 From Gender Matters: A Manual on Gender Based Violence Affecting Young People. Council of Europe, 2006.

11. Who Experiences GBV? Disproportionately women and girls Men and boys Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons of concern (women, girls, men, boys, transgender and intersex) can suffer a wide range of discrimination and violence because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

12. Who Perpetrates GBV? The majority of perpetrators of gender based violence are (heterosexual) men and boys. However, as dominant social norms can be internalised by all, women and girls and LGBTI persons who promote dominant gender roles and gender identities or commit violence rooted in patriarchal ideology with the underlying purpose of maintaining social power can also be seen as perpetrators of gender based violence. Categories of perpetrators may include: - Family members; - Community members; - Those acting on behalf of, against or in disregard of cultural, religious, state, or intra-state institutions

13. Gender and Disability Women and girls with disabilities experience double discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989) was the first Convention to mention disability and enshrine the rights of children with disabilities. The General Comment 9 on the Rights of Children with Disabilities acknowledges the special vulnerability of children who are at risk of multiple discrimination including girls with disabilities. Child helplines must make sure that disabled children, particularly disabled girls, have access to child helplines and the services where child helplines might refer. Remember to include disability as part of a gender analysis.

14. Preventing Gender Inequality and Gender Based Violence Suggestions for GBV Prevention Activities for Child Helplines Raise awareness about gender roles and gender inequality. Raise awareness to promote education for girls. Conduct gender based violence awareness activities and training in the community, with community leaders, referral partners and other stake holders. Involve men and boys to promote girls and women’s empowerment. Mobilise community (women, leaders, men, boys and girls) to stand up and say that GBV is not acceptable in our families and communities. Join with other organisations to advocate to enact, create and enforce laws and policies that protect human rights and discourage the abuse of power.

15. Responding to Gender Based Violence Response to GBV (including sexual violence), should address the consequences of GBV. Consequences of GBV can be grouped into four main areas: Health Emotional/Psychological/Social Legal protection Security / Community Environment Suggestions for GBV Response Activities for Child Helplines Training child helpline counsellors and referral partners in appropriate and gender sensitive response techniques Providing information or referrals for needed services to address GBV Being there for a child who just wants to be listened to Providing an in-person appointment or organising an immediate rescue The response depends on the situation of each caller and the capacity of each helpline.