The last 16 days showcased that gender-based violence is a widespread and deep-rooted issue which is happening at a frequency that is of global concern and calls for action. Today, on the International Day of Human Rights, we once again want to stress the fact that gender-based violence is a violation of various human rights. When gender-based violence is perpetrated, the right to life is affected, the freedom from torture and discrimination is disrespected, and the right to safety and security is not fulfilled (Council of Europe n.d.).

Gender-based violence has been officially recognised as a human rights violation through different conventions, such as in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action “recognised that the elimination of violence against women in public and private life is a human rights obligation” (OHCHR n.d.), which calls states and the international community to put all efforts in place to ensure the human right is secured and violence eliminated. Having it recognised as a human right gives the issue leverage and shows that “women are not exposed to violence by accident, or because of an in-born vulnerability. Instead, violence is the result of structural, deep-rooted discrimination, which the state has an obligation to address” (Ibid). This can be done through awareness-raising campaigns, prevention measures, training, etc. It is essential that all efforts address the structural roots of gender-based violence. As the past 16 days have showcased, gender-based violence is perpetrated on various groups in society for different reasons. Therefore, states have an obligation to include and protect all groups of society facing gender-based violence. Besides this, the state has a responsibility to adhere to the right to treatment and access to health care for survivors and provide safe care services. Additionally, efforts must be put in place to eliminate societal, structural, and personal barriers to treatment faced by survivors. Treatment for survivors needs to be sensitised to their needs, without prejudices or victimisation by the health care provider and include empowerment for the survivor.

As gender-based violence is strongly correlated with substance use, either by the perpetrator or by the survivor, it is of immense importance to include substance abuse in the discussion. The risks of the execution of violence accelerated through substance abuse need to be known and addressed in the prevention efforts of gender-based violence. Additionally, services for gender-based violence survivors, as well as perpetrators, should be sensitised and integrate substance use treatment when necessary. When the survivor of gender-based violence uses substances, the person is often denied access to treatment for the experienced violence due to the substance use (WFAD GWG 20222). This is a violation of human rights and treatment should be addressing co-morbidity, not exclude or discriminate against anyone based on substance use, and offer sensitised treatment.

Overall, “preventing and addressing gender-based violence against women requires legislative, administrative, and institutional measures and reforms, including eradicating gender stereotypes” (OHCHR n.d.). Collaboration is required among all stakeholders. These efforts should include and be sensitised to all members of society who face increased vulnerabilities to being subjected to gender-based violence, such as members of the LGTBQIA++ community, young persons, and women in various settings. This call fits the theme of this year: Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.

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References

Council of Europe. n.d. Gender-based violence and human rights. https://www.coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/gender-based-violence-and-human-rights

OHCHR. n.d. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Gender-based violence against women and girls – OHCHR and women’s human rights and gender equality. https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/gender-based-violence-against-women-and-girls

WFAD GWG. 2022. Position Paper: Gender-Specific Treatment & Recovery. https://wfad.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WFAD-GWG-Treatment-and-Recovery-FINAL.pdf