Sexual and Gender-based Violence: Need for an Integrated and Holistic Healthcare Response & Curriculum

Abstract

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has been recognized as a violation of human rights and a significant pervasive public health crisis with legal, social, cultural, economic and psychological dimensions. It transcends across age, race, ethnicity, religion, and geography, especially when seen in the context of its extensive psychological, physical, sexual and reproductive-health related sequelae.¹ World Health Organization statistics reveals that globally nearly one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with risks increasing in fragile and low-resource settings.² Furthermore, men particularly boys in humanitarian settings  and otherwise also experience SGBV.³ South Asian estimates suggest that GBV rates are 35% higher than the global average especially among women.⁴

49.2% of the world’s population is the female gender, translating loosely into half of its potential. Gender equality is a fundamental human right. Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality which empowers women and girls.⁵ This is critical to promote health, education and general well-being of girls and boys. Violence affects women and children disproportionately, more so if marginalized. SDG-5 has 9 key targets and 14 indicators focused on eliminating violence in all its forms (including trafficking & sexual exploitation), discrimination, harmful practices (early child/forced marriages, female genital cutting/mutilation) and gender gaps in leadership and economic resources. SDG-5 seeks to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.⁶  A comprehensive and holistic healthcare response to violence is central to achieving this goal.