Women still top the list of gender-based-violence cases

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majority with different sexual orientation suffers GVB away from the spotlight
532 cases of gender-based violence (GVB) are recorded until June this year with the RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women), a civil society organization (CSO). 40 male survivors also reported GBV cases to the CSO. RENEW registered 853 GBV cases in 2021.
Dr. Meenakshi Rai working with RENEW said, “Male reported cases are more of emotional violence while women mostly report on physical and sexual violence”.
Dr. Meenakshi Rai also claimed that the majority of GVB cases reported showed more numbers of women as victims because of its sexual reproductive health and social norms. She said, “But anybody can be the victims, not only men or women or LGBTQI (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex). But it can be any individual.”
GVB refers to the social differences between men and women that are learned, and though deeply rooted in every culture, are changeable over time, and have wide variations both within and between cultures.
Section 4 (1) to (4) under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act of Bhutan 2013, provides different forms of domestic violence. Whereas GBV is an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty.
These acts can occur in public or in private. The term gender-based violence is most commonly used to underscore how systemic inequality between males and females—which exists in every society in the world—acts as a unifying and foundational characteristic of most forms of violence perpetrated against women and girls.
The annual report maintained with the RENEW showed that more than 44 percent of GBV victims did not tell anyone. About 41 percent shared their cases with their friends and 27.8 percent shared with their parents.
However, not many sought help or support which makes up 72.5 percent in total. Only about 11 percent gathered the courage and trust to report to the police.
Similarly, NCWC (National Commission for Women and Children), an autonomous agency in 2017 recorded that 13.9 percent experienced physical violence.4.5 percent of sexual violence, 15.8 percent of emotional violence, and 10.9 percent of economic violence.
Officiating Director of NCWC Ugyen Tshomo claimed that it is important to note that men and boys may also be survivors of GBV, and as with violence against women and girls. She said, “this violence is often under-reported due to issues of stigma for the survivor.”
The officiating director also ascertains that GBV is a violation of universal human rights protected by international human rights conventions, including the right to security of person; the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and the right to life. NCWC’s standard operating procedure (SOP) recognizes four main types of GBV within which there are distinctions.
Officiating Director of NCWC highlighted the factors causing GBV as poverty and unemployment, education, economic, legal along with cultural factors.
“Bhutan is no exception to the worldwide prevalence of violence against women by intimate partners,” said the agencies helping and supporting the victims.
The main mandate of the RENEW is to give special attention to survivors of Domestic violence (DV) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
There is always a great impact on victims and survivors, and it is not something to be asked about as it is a cut cross since the impact is holistic. The victims are not only people from low income but cut across an entire section of society.
Depression, mental health issues, unintended pregnancy, teenage pregnancies, and sexual harassment are consequences.
There are several underreported cases; people have these issues of getting stigmatized or hoping to get back with their partner. Almost two-fifths of “ever-partnered” women aged between15 to 49 are likely to experience intimate partner violence of one form or another as per the report with NCWC.
 RENEW looks into helping underreported cases and has initiated cross-cutting services in which they have a micro-financing program with a product, scholarships targeting rural areas. In any way possible, RENEW wants to empower women and men with livelihood skills training and give awareness on GBV to stay in touch with everyone.
“GBV is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequalities. It includes not only sexual and physical violence but also emotional and socio-economic violence,” said the officials dealing with the cases.
RENEW to address GBV has now streamlined its attention to four main areas addressing GBV, child protection, protection and inclusion for persons with disability, and protection and inclusion of LGBTIQ+.
RENEW also addresses and is inclusive and works on LGBTIQ+ and persons with the disability community. Dr. Meenakshi Rai of RENEW said, “People are not aware that LGBTIQ+ and persons with a disability will also experience violence. Indeed, they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and experience greater impacts.”
The root causes for GBV are mainly, gender inequality, disrespect for human rights, and abuse of power. All of these trigger GBV in many different forms.
Dr. Meenakshi Rai said, “Root causes are portrayed in different forms such as sexual, economic, mental health or psychological. It just does not end there but also when GBV happens under the influence of alcohol or substance abuse”.
“We need consistent awareness reaching rural regions and advocacy programs for people to be sensitized to the GBV. Moreover, there should be a stringent implementation of laws”, said the officiating Director of NCWC.
NCWC and RENEW shared the challenges the stakeholders encountered when addressing GBV. Firstly, the agencies provide counseling and aftercare services to victims and survivors. They also keep a tap on them and their livelihood. The stakeholders claimed that they tried to contact the survivors but few of them changed their contact numbers.” They do not update their contact details with our office and that’s how we tend to lose contacts,” said RENEW officials.
Secondly, victims do not report it because Domestic Violence in nature is so complex and sensitive as it is about a relationship where a strong cohesive bond is being shared. It’s a peripheral cycle, and too many areas to consider from parents to children to partners. “A client is in a difficult state of mind. However, they report after repeated and multiple of violence,” said Dr. Meenakshi Rai.
RENEW officials mentioned advocacy and awareness are necessary for the public. While they also noted that people have a notion that RENEW is for women because of its name or tagline. However, they are open to everyone. As CSO and service providers, they shall serve people diligently.
“RENEW is a safe place not to instill fear, but to solve and make things more comfortable and safer to victims and survivors,” added Dr. Meenakshi
Moreover, RENEW has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bhutan Legal Solution funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for legal representation. “This will help victims prepare about their rights and how to deal with legalities,” said Dr.Meenakshi Rai.