While promoting access to resources and systems of support for those affected by gender-based violence is absolutely crucial, this new book focuses attention on the important question of how communities can take action to prevent violence and abuse. Using examples of current research and practice, the book explores the actions that can be taken in individual sectors of society, our schools, faith communities, campuses, on our streets and using new popular technologies. The contributors draw on global examples to highlight the importance of learning from the study of the interaction between socio-political contexts and effective policies and strategies to address gender-based violence. Chapters take up the challenge of exploring the construction of effective programmes that address cognitive, affective and behavioural domains. They discuss what people know, how they feel and how they behave, and include the important challenge of how to engage men in working towards the elimination of gender-based violence, offering positive messages which build on men’s values and predisposition to act in a positive manner. Importantly, such strategies place the responsibility for preventing gender-based violence on the society as a whole rather than on vulnerable individuals. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in gender studies, women’s studies, social work, sociology, law and health studies. Its unique approach focuses on the achievement of prevention at the earliest possible stage and examines the issue through a society-wide, but community-focused lens.

Gender-based violence affects many aspects of survivors' and victims' lives, including access to education, employment, housing, health care, legal support, and physical and mental health services. This publication explores how countries can strengthen public governance systems, respond to the needs and experiences of survivors/victims, and improve access to justice and accountability to effectively address gender-based violence.

While promoting access to resources and systems of support for those affected by gender-based violence is absolutely crucial, this new book focuses attention on the important question of how communities can take action to prevent violence and abuse. Using examples of current research and practice, the book explores the actions that can be taken in individual sectors of society, our schools, faith communities, campuses, on our streets and using new popular technologies. The contributors draw on global examples to highlight the importance of learning from the study of the interaction between socio-political contexts and effective policies and strategies to address gender-based violence. Chapters take up the challenge of exploring the construction of effective programs that address cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains. They discuss what people know, how they feel, and how they behave, and include the important challenge of how to engage men in working towards the elimination of gender-based violence, and offer positive messages which build on men's values and predisposition to act in a positive manner. Importantly, such strategies place the responsibility for preventing gender-based violence on the society as a whole rather than on vulnerable individuals. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in gender studies, women's studies, social work, sociology, law and health studies. Its unique approach focuses on the achievement of prevention at the earliest possible stage and examines the issue through a society wide, but community focused lens.

South African women's still-increasing presence in local, provincial, and national institutions has inspired sweeping legislation aimed at advancing women's rights and opportunity. Yet the country remains plagued by sexual assault, rape, and intimate partner violence. Hannah E. Britton examines the reasons gendered violence persists in relationship to social inequalities even after women assume political power. Venturing into South African communities, Britton invites service providers, religious and traditional leaders, police officers, and medical professionals to address gender-based violence in their own words. Britton finds the recent turn toward carceral solutions—with a focus on arrests and prosecutions—fails to address the complexities of the problem and looks at how changing specific community dynamics can defuse interpersonal violence. She also examines how place and space affect the implementation of policy and suggests practical ways policymakers can support street level workers. Clear-eyed and revealing, Ending Gender-Based Violence offers needed tools for breaking cycles of brutality and inequality around the world.

Throughout the world, one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime, such as beating, rape, or assault, yet it continues to be downplayed by the general public and by policymakers who fail to create and fund programmes to eradicate it. However, there have been some significant achievements made over the last few decades to combat gender-based violence and to promote women's empowerment. This publication examines the various forms of violence experienced by women around the world, drawing on the findings of research conducted by expert consultants. It highlights examples of good practices and explores the reasons why some activities have failed to meet their objectives. It goes on to consider policy options available and makes recommendations for actions required to build on these achievements. The report includes details of legislation on gender-based violence by country, selected indicators on violence against women, and information on projects supported by the UNIFEM Trust Fund to eliminate violence against women.

Eliminating long-term structural causes of violence require profound soical, cultural and economic change. These in turn, need the institutional and political impetus that requires a re-assessment of collective beliefs, motivations and behaviours related to gender, power and powerlessness. The papers presented in this volume explore the different kinds of partnerships for ending gender-based violence, and men's roles and responsibilities with them.