Protection from violence

At least one in three women worldwide experience sexualized and gender-based violence. This violence is rooted in a power imbalance between the sexes and a lack of equality. It is a major cause of the discord and insecurity that women experience on a daily basis. Protecting against and preventing sexualised and gender-based violence is one of Frieda's main focuses.

Gender-based violence refers to violence that is inflicted on a person because of their gender. Sexualised violence refers to sexual acts against a person's will. The focus here is on the exercise of power, control and oppression, not sexuality.

The forms of sexualized and gender-based violence (SGBV) range from verbal harassment, coercion and rape to SGBV as a weapon of war and feminicide. (see pyramid of violence). The fact that forms of violence on the lower levels of the violence pyramid are often regarded as «normal» and accepted plays an important role here.

Distribution

Sexualized and gender-based violence SGBV occurs in all socio-economic strata and worldwide. It mainly affects women, people labelled as women and children. People outside of binary gender categories are also heavily affected by violence. However, there is a lack of statistics. Men also experience SGBV.

Worldwide, at least one in three women have experienced gender-based or sexualized violence in their lifetime, mostly by current or former partners. Almost a quarter of 15-19-year-old women have also experienced intimate partner violence. According to Amnesty International, 800,000 women aged 16 and over in Switzerland have already been affected by unwanted sexual acts.

Because those affected by SGBV are stigmatised, it is difficult to obtain reliable figures on the extent of the problem. A high number of unreported cases can be assumed. According to a study, only half of all victims in Switzerland tell anyone at all about the violence. Only eight per cent of assaults are reported. Very few cases result in a conviction.

Causes and problems

Sexualized and gender-based violence is often trivialised in the media, for example by reporting on «family drama» instead of feminicide or murder. Many forms of violence are also not seen as violence by a large part of the population, but are regarded as «normal» behaviour and even tolerated.

SGBV is based on unequal power relations between the sexes. Gender justice and equality are therefore essential to reduce violence. SGBV violates human rights and international humanitarian law. It also constitutes a criminal offence in national legislation. To enable victims to come to terms with the violence they have experienced, it is important that perpetrators are held accountable. At the same time, treatment and trauma management must go hand in hand with the prevention of SGBV.

What Frieda does: protection and prevention

Frieda's programmes contribute to the reduction of SGBV with a comprehensive approach: Protection, prevention and sensitisation of a wider public and the respective responsible parties. Men are also included as allies in the programme.

Women and girls affected by violence can find support and protection at counselling centres, hotlines or in women's shelters. Gender-based violence is prevented by educating women and girls about their own rights and by sensitising them to sexism and stereotypical gender roles. Women and girls are supported with knowledge and education. This enables them to become less economically dependent and to participate politically and socially. To protect children from violence, Frieda sensitises parents and teachers to children's rights and violence prevention. Violence prevention activities in schools take place in various projects.

Frieda addresses both the individual and collective level of violence. Through lobbying, networking and peace policy, Frieda works towards fairer power relations and a reduction in gender-based violence.

With the «16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence», Frieda is coordinating the largest prevention campaign in Switzerland. The days of action reach over half a million people. Frieda is an active member of the Istanbul Convention network and is committed to the effective implementation of this important agreement.

With its activities to protect against and prevent violence, Frieda contributes to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 5 (gender equality) and 16 (peaceful societies).