Gender-based violence

YK Djamba, SR Kimuna

Abstract

This book presents new perspectives on gender-based violence in Africa, the Middle East, and India, regions where the subject has been taboo in everyday discourse, due in part to their strong patriarchal cultural norms that limit women’s autonomy. The book contains ten chapters of empirical research written by 22 scholars, who not only discuss the levels and the sociodemographic determinants of domestic violence but also examine topics that range from men’s attitudes toward wife beating, domestic violence-related adolescent deaths, to women’s reproductive tract infections and HIV due to sexual and physical abuse. The majority of the work in this book is based on papers presented at the 27th International Population Conference of the International Union for the Scientifi c Study of Population (IUSSP) held in South Korea in 2013 and the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Southern Demographic Association held in the United States.

Relevance to scouting

Scouting is strongly committed to gender equality, safety, and inclusion, both within national organizations and through the WOSM strategy (e.g., “A peaceful and inclusive world”). Research linking gender-based violence to factors such as power, cultural norms, health, and media provides a solid foundation for developing Scout educational programs on gender, consent, and safety. By embedding these insights into workshops and awareness campaigns, Scouts can move beyond superficial messaging and address root causes. In contexts where gender violence is often under-acknowledged, this evidence-based framing helps Scouts respond with credibility and sensitivity.