Prevention of sexual and gender-based violence
Rutgers envisions a gender-just, violence-free world with healthy, respectful and equal relationships and where everyone is free to participate fully in society.
Gender inequality is a huge barrier to social and economic progress and human rights – one of its most prevalent symptoms is gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is not always sexual, but targets someone because of their gender. It is usually, but not exclusively, directed against women by men. One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence.
Gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere
Forcing sexual behaviour on someone or victimising them because of their gender or sexuality is common. It can happen to anyone, anywhere in the world. This kind of abuse violates their rights to bodily integrity and consensual sexual relations.
Gender-based violence covers physical violence (including within relationships), honour-related violence and killing, trafficking, forced and early marriage, forced sex work and female genital mutilation.
People also experience violence or violent threats because of their sexuality or sexual behaviour: because they are, or are thought to be, a sex worker, lesbian, gay or transgender or because their friends are.
Harmful norms drive violence and abuse
The root causes of gender-based violence and gender inequality are deeply embedded in patriarchal values and power structures within societies, policies and law.
Rigid and harmful sexual and gender norms – what it means to be a man or woman – are key drivers of men’s abuse of power, including their use of violence and resistance to women’s leadership.
Rutgers has wide experience on programmes seeking to prevent and stop gender-based violence, by changing this underlying culture in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We also work with men as agents of change and partners to women to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours around gender and masculinity that lead to violence. This is the basis of our unique gender-transformative approach.
Read more about our gender transformative approach“Sexuality is a fundamental and healthy aspect of life - that’s our starting point. The freedom of expression to communicate one's wishes and boundaries, and to choose are key to our work.”
Rutgers’ vital work at all levels
Rutgers works across four levels to challenge the root causes of gender inequality.
- For individuals: we provide information and facilitate conversations to encourage gender-equal, violence-free, healthier and more respectful partner relationships and better division of household labour. Our programmes have also led to an increase in positive parenting practices and better awareness of and access to services for survivors.
- In communities: Rutgers creates public awareness campaigns and organises events. We have seen more open dialogue and more community leaders and men promoting gender-just and equitable values.
- At organisations: we train staff of public institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) to incorporate gender-transformative approaches and promote gender justice more broadly.
- With governments: we engage with policymakers to create and enforce laws and policies advancing gender justice and engage men and boys in preventing gender-based violence.
