Gender-Based Violenceand HIV

The Season for Change Advent StudyWeek Four

Reflection on Putting Faith into Action

▪ What “challenge” did you take on after last week’s study?

▪ Feel free to share …– Thoughts– Concerns – Challenges– Triumphs

Gender-Based Violence

▪ 1 in every 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime.

▪ Globally, domestic violence = leading cause of injury to women

▪ Usually the abuser is a member of her own family.

Country Type of Violence% of Women Who Have

Experienced this Violence

Bangladesh Sexual 50

Brazil Physical 34

Ethiopia Sexual 59

India Physical 40

India Sexual 33

India Domestic abuse 70

Tanzania Physical 47

Gender-Based Violence

▪ Every 9 seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten.

▪ 30% of women murdered in the United States are murdered by their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends.

▪ Domestic violence victims lose ~8 million days of paid work per year in the U.S.

▪ In many nations, 20-44% of men admit to using violence towards wives/intimate partners.

▪ Globally ~10 million children witness domestic violence annually

▪ Men who as children witnessed their parents’ domestic violence = 2X as likely to abuse their own wives

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HIV and Gender-Based Violence

▪ 12% of HIV/AIDS infections among women in romantic relationships intimate partner violence.

▪ Prevalence of intimate partner violence among women at risk for HIV may be as high as 67%.

▪ In developing countries, 1 in 3 women cannot refuse sex with their partners

▪ 41% of women are unable to ask partner to use a condom

▪ Women who experience intimate partner violence are >3X more likely to have a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS

HIV and Gender-Based Violence

▪ Violent/coerced sex increases women’s risk for HIV through physical trauma.

▪ Violence and threats of violence– Limit negotiating power for safer sex– Limit ability to leave/end a relationship

▪ Disclosure of HIV status to a partner could result in increased violence (emotional, physical, sexual, and/or economic)

Why Does Gender-Based Violence Exist?

Why Does Gender-Based Violence Exist?

▪ Societal definitions of masculinity

▪ Strict gender roles – Male = Dominant– Female = Submissive

▪ Cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequality, whether they do so intentionally or unintentionally

Why Should We Care?

▪ About people infected with HIV/AIDS?

▪ About Gender-Based Violence?

Advent Reflection & Resources

▪ Visit gbcsumc.info/HIV-Advent to download handouts and additional material.

▪ For additional information, visit the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund websitewww.umcor.org/UMCOR/Programs/Global-Health/HIV-AIDS