Addressing Gender-Based Violence in the Latin American and Caribbean Region: A Critical Review of Interventions (original) (raw)
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Gender-Based Violence, Perspectives in Latin America and the Caribbean
Hispanic Health Care International, 2020
Introduction: To address the phenomenon of gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean is an issue of epic proportion that reflects the unequal power dynamics created within the binary gender system and is often perpetrated by those with more physical, cultural, or social power and inflicted upon those without. Method: Each database was comprehensively searched for MeSH keyword combinations of gender violence (violence against women) or (gender-based violence) with the region of interest (Latin America and the Caribbean) in addition to a third word or phrase regarding health care (health care training, training, health care curricula, curricula, health care professionals). Results: After completing this scope review, we have found a widespread call for more comprehensive preparation for health care professionals involved in identifying and addressing gender-based violence. Conclusions: Though some research has been conducted documenting the ways in which gender-based vi...
Gender-based violence, human rights and the health sector: Lessons from Latin America
2002
In 1993, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly defined gender-based violence as "any act of . . . violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering for women, ineluding threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life."1 A recent analysis of more than 50 population-based surveys found that between 10% and 50% (or more) of adult-women respondents around the world reported having been physically assaulted by an intimate male partner at some point in their lives. Psychological abuse almost always accompanied physical abuse, and sexual abuse was present in a third to more than half of the cases.2 By labeling such violence as gender-based, the UN highlighted the need to understand this violence within the con-Alessandra Guedes, MA, MSc, is a Senior Program Officer of Sexual and ® text of women's and girls' subordinate status in society. As Heise et al. have argued: "Many cultures have beliefs, norms and social institutions that legitimatize and therefore perpetuate violence against women."3 As a result, in many settings, family members, religious leaders, health workers, social-service agencies, police, the judiciary, the media, and other institutions minimize or even justify the suffering caused by physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of women. In other cases, the problem is recognized but no one will take responsibility for providing services or prosecuting offenders. Even when legislation exists, judges may refuse to sentence perpetrators, police may not investigate, social services may be underfunded and therefore inadequate, and health providers may not recognize sequelae of violence or may treat women with disrespect.
2004
The present document was prepared by the ECLAC Women and Development Unit for the International Meeting on Gender Statistics and Indicators for Measuring the Incidence of and Trends in Violence against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (La Paz, Bolivia, 21-23 November 2001). The document reflects the inputs which the participants provided for the working paper submitted by ECLAC at that event. It is a tool for measuring the incidence of violence against women in intimate relationships, as well as the main characteristics of the phenomenon. The first part describes how the problem of violence against women came to be part of national, regional and international public agendas. One of the problems detected in the enforcement of the relevant laws is the lack of sufficient and adequate follow-up mechanisms for monitoring the application of penalties. This document represents an attempt to meet that need by providing indicators that make it possible to carry out the consultation p...
Intimate Partner Violence and Femicide in Ecuador
Keywords This article analyzes intimate partner violence and femicide in Ecuador from an ecological perspective. The qualitative study, involving the participation of 61 individuals, took place in the province of Imbabura and was based on eight interviews with qualified experts and seven focus groups made up of professionals from the field of social and public services. The study comprises: a) the characterization of the dynamic of violence and risk of femicide; b) the analysis of the microsys-tem in relation to the family, neighbors, and professionals; c) an examination of the institutional response; and d) the assessment of the patriarchal culture, the role of the church, and indigenism. The results point to the permanence of a naturalized, chauvinistic culture, the lack of an effective network of resources to support victims, and a rigid administrative structure. As a consequence, victims have little confidence in public institutions, rates of reporting and prosecuting cases of v...
Violence against women: A neglected public health issue in less developed countries
Social Science & Medicine, 1994
Violence against women is a significant public health issue in countries of both the industrialized and less developed world. This paper describes the magnitude and health consequences of domestic violence and rape. with an emphasis on developing countries; it recognizes, however, that there is a dearth of documentation regarding the wide range of activity opposing violence against women which is taking place in less developed countries. It briefly explores the factors that perpetuate violence against women and the strategies that have evolved to respond to the problem. It analyses the constellation of factors that may assist violence to emerge as a legitimate public health concern, and explores opportunities and obstacles to further progress in this field. Particular attention is devoted to the role of research in the policy-making process; research areas which may assist those opposing violence against women in all its forms are tentatively suggested.
Gender-based abuse: the global epidemic
Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 1994
HEISE, L. Gender-based Abuse: The Global Epidemic. Cad. Saúde Públ., Rio de Janeiro, 10 (supplement 1): [135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145] 1994. Gender Based violence-including rape, domestic violence, murder and sexual abuse-is a profund health problem for women across the globe. Although a significant cause of female morbidity and mortality, violence against women has only recently begun to be recognized as an issue for public health. This paper draws together existing data on the dimensions of violence against women worldwide and reviews available literature on the health consequences of abuse. It argues that the health sector has an important role to play in combatting violence against women through increased research, screening and referral of victims, and behavioral interventions. Any strategy to confrnt violence must address the root causes of abuse in addition to meeting the immediate needs of victims. This means challenging the social attitudes and beliefs that undergird men's violence and renegotiating the balance of power between women and men at all levels of society.
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 2019
Objectives.To describe what is known about the national prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in the Americas across countries and over time, including the geographic coverage, quality, and comparability of national data.Methods.This was a systematic review and reanalysis of national, population-based IPV estimates from 1998 – 2017 in the Americas. Estimates were reanalyzed for comparability or extracted from reports, including IPV prevalence by type (physical; sexual; physical and/or sexual), timeframe (ever; past year), and perpetrator (any partner in life; current/most recent partner). In countries with 3+ rounds of data, Cochran-Armitage and Pearson chi-square tests were used to assess whether changes over time were significant (P< 0.05).Results.Eligible surveys were found in 24 countries. Women reported ever having experienced physical and/or sexual IPV at rates that ranged from 14% – 17% of women in Brazil, Panama, and Uruguay to over one-half (58.5%) ...