Women face many compromising and threatening situations based solely on their gender. The instances occur when a female’s gender is weaponized against her, denying her opportunities, or is used to victimize her, exposing her to several dangers. When discussing gender-based sexual violence (GBSV) is primarily discussed from a female-dominant debate, as women are the primary victims of GBSV (World Health Organization, 2024). Estimates published by the UN through the WHO suggested that about 1 in 3, representing 30% of women worldwide, have experienced physical and sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner violence throughout their lives (World Health Organization, 2024). This paper will provide information on GBSV, analyze GBSV using relevant gender perspectives, use recent news to elaborate on the issue, showcase how it restricts women’s daily lives, and highlight its implications within the Hong Kong context.
Geder-Based Sexual Violence (GBSV).
GBSV is defined as any violence, especially of the sexual variety, directed at an individual based on their gender (World Health Organization, 2024). Gender-based violence uses an individual’s gender as the point of referencing soliciting harm towards them. Their genders become the cause and target of attack (World Health Organization, 2024). Violence creates a demeaning effect that affects the quality of life an individual leads, making their human experience a suffering-filled activity. The most typical type is domestic violence, which affects about a quarter of women worldwide. Domestic violence describes escalated aggression towards females that leads to bodily harm, emotional abuse, or verbal altercations that demean the quality of life they lead (World Health Organization, 2024). The common denominator in describing GBSV is the weaponizing or deliberate targeting of an individual’s gender to cause or justify harm against them. Understanding GBSV and how it unfolds is essential, especially considering the gender perspective when engaging in various intervention alternatives.
Using Relevant Gender Perspectives in Analyzing Geder-Based Sexual Violence (GBSV).
Harm relayed against a given person primarily because the individual belongs to that gender qualifies as GBSV. Women are the primary victims of GBSV. Therefore, the majority of the discourse in the field addresses the issue from the perspective of the female victim. Women are the categorical victims of GBSV; thus, the vice is discussed with a feminine gender perspective. According to (Mulawarman & Komariyah, 2021), the gender perspective addresses how gender determines social norms, relations, processes, systems, and other phenomena and gender’s impact on people’s opportunities, social roles, and interactions. Gender perspectives persuade GBSV differently by shaping societal perceptions of women and how they live their lives. The prominent gender perspective relevant to GBSV is gender stereotyping. Stereotyping helps society create a view of gender that promotes GBSV in different ways (Tabatadze & Gorgadze, 2023). For instance, stereotypes that portray femininity as weak help escalate violence against women as men would like to engage in physical violence to prove their dominance over the female. The gender perspective of women being weak makes them vulnerable to issues such as domestic violence while also creating a victim mentality among women when faced with GBSV. Victimhood results in silence, where women take the abuse thinking they are weak and helpless, eventually justifying the abuse they receive. Stereotyping women makes them vulnerable to abuse, as femininity is portrayed as weak.
Another gender perspective relevant to GBSV is gender identity. Gender identity refers to a person’s innate sense of gender and how they express it. The gender perspective aspect of gender identity explores how we experience the world as either male or female. Our sense of gender identity plays a significant role in GBSV and how it manifests in society. For instance, an individual may associate masculinity with control and, in exercising control, use demoing terms against female colleagues, thus facilitating GBSV. Some forms of sexual harassment stem from gender identity, like a man calling a woman an inappropriate name that seems harmful. Using gender perspectives to analyze the subject matter of GBSV, it is evident that prevalent gender notions facilitate its manifestation and perpetuity. Gender perspectives such as identity, sensitivity, and stereotypes, among other forms, showcase how they promote the existence of GBSV (Tabatadze & Gorgadze, 2023). GBSV stems from humanity’s perspective and understanding of gender and how different genders interact. Therefore, when using a gender perspective to analyze GBSV, it becomes apparent that the vices associated with the practice are rooted in humanity’s experience with different aspects of gender. The existence of other genders creates avenues for varying gender perspectives that perpetuate potential avenues responsible for gender-based sexual violence.
Elaboration of Arguments Over the Issue Using Recent News.
Hong Kong, like most of the world, experiences GBSV at alarming rates, with reports suggesting that about 13% of people experience forms of intimate partner sexual violence (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022). Other studies showed that over 40% of women experience sexual violence, urging the Hong Kong government to provide more support to women. News pieces and studies from Hong Kong suggest that gender perception plays a significant role in the emergence of GBSV. According to a report shared by (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022) from a sample of 1044, 37.54% of the respondents had experienced sexual violence, and 26.37% had experienced intimate partner violence. The data also showed that about 20% of the women experienced sexual violence of the verbal variety, experiencing sully explicit remarks that are upsetting, while 28.92% experienced non-penetrative sexual assault, and more than 10 participants experienced unwanted sexual attention (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022). The data shows that more than 90% of the perpetrators were men, and more than 60% were people familiar to the victim, such as former partners or family members. The data shows that sexual perception that undermines women in Hong Kong dramatically contributes to the prevalence of sexual harassment incidents and other forms of GBSV. Hong Kong, being a traditionally male-dominated society, facilitates situations where it is easy to undermine women and their rights to experience life without sexual harassment or demeaning remarks from their male counterparts.
The research also shows that more than 20% of the respondents were affected in familiar environments like their homes, more than 10% experienced it in public transport vehicles, and another 5% in virtual spaces (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022). The gender perceptions and stereotypes that establish women as weak victims play an integral role in the steps they take after experiencing GBSV. The report by the Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centers Limited also shows that over 75% did not know how to respond to the vice, and just about 60% sought help, while 40% ed up not seeking help from anyone. Figures from the report suggest that Hong Kong’s gender perspective and societal set-up are primarily male-dominated, leading to instances of GBSV getting dismissed or downplayed. 35.52% of respondents experienced gender-based violence of a sexual nature, either manifesting as sexual abuse or being forced to have sex, while the rest suffered either intimidation or physical violence (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022). The data and overall attitude deduced from the report suggest Hong Kong’s gender perspective attaches weakness and victimhood to femininity, thus creating a culture that facilitates GBSV. Only 40% of victims are willing to seek help, showing a lack of confidence in the set-up intervention strategies to help women combat GBSV in the Hong Kong context (Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited, 2022).
How GBSV Restricts Women’s Daily Life Activities.
Gender-based sexual violence restricts women’s life activities in different ways. Depending on the nature and degree of the GBSV act, they can create insecurity (Mittal & Singh, 2020). Increased instances of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse can create a feeling of insecurity among women, derailing their family lives. Women are likely to live in fear and avoid social interactions if they feel as though they are likely to experience GBSV (Mittal & Singh, 2020). The insecurity can derail their social lives, leading them to isolation and loneliness, which opens the door to other concerns like depression and anxiety. Insecurity stemming from GBSV exposes women to potential bodily harm, which can derail the quality of life they live. For instance, if a woman gets injured during a domestic violence incident and hurts her leg, her ability to experience the world as a fully disabled individual is compromised (Mittal & Singh, 2020). Depending on the injury, she might either live on temporary disability or, if the injury is extreme, end up permanently disabled. Increased incidence of GBSV can also lead to restricted movements as women try to avoid places associated with violent incidences. Limited movement and living in fear can derail the quality-of-life women lead when living in a society riddled with GBSV. GBSV creates social restrictions on women, affecting how they interact and engage in social situations.
GBSV takes a heavy emotional tone on victims regardless of their gender. The victims are likely to feel shame and fear and experience stigma associated with GBSV. Wong et al(2021), links gender violence with emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and, at times, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The emotional toll of GBSV impacts the victim’s ability to operate commonly, especially in professional and personal settings. Experiences such as incidents may lead to withdrawal and isolation that makes women and other victims derail their social lives, connections, and welfare. A combination of the physical and emotional impacts can lead to detrimental economic effects. Women may avoid seeking opportunities or limiting their endeavors to safe options, preventing them from working in specific industries or making them avoid participating in certain activities (Wong et al., 2021). The resulting restriction limits the economic exploits of the women and victims, thus compromising the quality of life they are likely to afford, especially in urban settings like Hong Kong. In some instances, GBSV can create mistrust towards healthcare and other professionals. Women may avoid engaging healthcare professionals out of fear or stigma, thus creating mistrust in seeking such services even when faced with other medical conditions. Therefore, women may avoid seeking treatment, especially if they feel as though their GBSV incidents may surface during an interaction with a healthcare professional. GEBSV can affect a victim’s life in numerous ways regardless of their gender.
Implications of GBSV in a Hong Kong Context.
The prevalence of GBSV affects women’s daily lives in detrimental ways. The effects are universal, and women, regardless of their location, experience the same detrimental implications. However, if one were to narrow down their experience to Hong Kong, it would manifest primarily in the opportunities women get. Hong Kong is a male-dominated society with established gender roles. Therefore, GBSV will likely segment the population further, pushing women to various roles and making other opportunities inaccessible. For instance, Yih (2023) investigates gender discrimination in Hong Kong churches and establishes that women are often denied leadership roles. The exclusion of women from leadership roles shows how Hong Kong has defined gender roles that are likely to utilize GBSV to demote women to subordinate roles rather than creating avenues for them to grow and embrace leadership roles. Limiting women to subordinate roles also shows the gender perspective associated with the Hong Kong context, which tends to favor men in leadership roles.
Hong Kong’s gender-based violence is evident in various metrics. For instance, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission (2021), women have a lower labor force participation at 49.6% compared to men at 66.2% as of 2020, implying that over 1.6 million women remain economically inactive in Hong Kong (Equal Opportunities Commission, 2021). Most economically inactive women cite their domestic responsibility as the reason they do not engage in economic activities. Despite women being the majority of the population, they are relegated to subordinate roles and often do not participate in activities such as being members of the Election Committee (Equal Opportunities Commission, 2021). Therefore, in the Hong Kong context, gender-based violence facilitates the relation of women to subordinate roles, which explains why many victims tend not to report or seek help when they experience GBSV. Therefore, the implications of GBSV in Hong Kong facilitate the perpetuation of the relegation of women to subordinate roles. However, when approaching the effects of GBSV holistically, Hong Kong experiences similar implications, especially regarding the effects suffered by the victims, as any other place globally.
In conclusion, GBSV is a common phenomenon that affects more than 30% of women worldwide. GBSV occurs and manifests from established social gender perspective norms like stereotyping and gender identity that encourages to violent practices against women. Data shows that women in Hong face various acts of GBSV, with intimate partner violence leading to other forms and exposing women to various detrimental experiences. GBSV victims experience a plethora of issues, whether emotional, physical, or economic, that significantly derail the quality of life. The problem in Hong Kong relates to the opportunities women can explore.
References.
Equal Opportunities Commission. (2021). Gender Equality in Hong Kong Overview. https://www.eoc.org.hk/EOC/Upload/DiscriminationLaws/OtherResources/Gender%20Equality-Eng%20%28Aug%202021%29.pdf
Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited. (2022, March 7). WCOEO｜Survey on Women’s Experiences of Violence in Hong Kong 2021 Press Conference | Press Releases | Newsroom | Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres. Womencentre.org.hk; Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres Limited. https://womencentre.org.hk/En/Newsroom/Pressrelease/svdv_2022/
Mittal, S., & Singh, T. (2020). Gender-based violence during COVID-19 pandemic: a mini-review. Frontiers in global women’s health, 1, 4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2020.00004/full?ref=artshelp.com
Mulawarman, W. G., & Komariyah, L. (2021). Women and Leadership Style in School Management: Study of Gender Perspective. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 16(2), 594-611. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1297011.pdf
Tabatadze, S., & Gorgadze, N. (2023). Development model of gender socialization: school textbooks gender analysis in Georgia. Journal for Multicultural Education, 17(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-05-2022-0065
Wong, J. Y., Choi, E. P., Lo, H. H., Wong, W., Chio, J. H., Choi, A. W., & Fong, D. Y. (2021). Intimate partner sexual violence and mental health indicators among Chinese emerging adults. Journal of interpersonal violence, 36(19-20), NP10229-NP10254. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519872985
World Health Organization. (2024, March 25). Violence against Women. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
Yih, C. C. (2023). Gender discrimination in Hong Kong churches. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 25(7), 2. https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2816&context=jiws
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