Gender-based violence (GBV) is not just about individual acts of cruelty or isolated conflicts; it is, at its core, a manifestation of entrenched power imbalances rooted in cultural, economic, and social structures that govern household and community life. The violence deeply ingrained within homes reflects a broader societal failure to dismantle patriarchal norms that sustain male dominance and female submission. The brutal reality is that these power dynamics trap survivors in a vicious cycle of abuse, often invisible to the outside world but devastating at its core.
In many households, authority is traditionally distributed along rigid gender lines that position men as heads and women as subordinate. This setup normalizes dominance as a natural state, and submission as an expected role for women. Masa Oagile, Business Botswana Marketing and Public Relations Officer, underscores that violence becomes a mechanism to “preserve control when traditional hierarchies are threatened.” When women gain financial independence or a greater say in decision-making, it upends these long-standing roles, prompting some men to wield violence in a desperate attempt to reassert authority. This dynamic does not exist in a vacuum but is a reflection of broader patriarchal structures embedded deeply into societal norms.
Research from UN Women paints a grim picture confirming these insights: the prevalence of intimate partner violence spikes in environments where patriarchal norms restrict women’s autonomy and economic participation. It is not simply individuals who behave violently; it is the systemic inequality that shapes how gender roles are understood and enforced. Social or economic shifts that empower women threaten the fragile equilibrium of male dominance, often triggering heightened abuse. The violence is both a symptom and a tool, reinforcing power imbalances instead of allowing progress.
Economic dependence is a particularly strong anchor that keeps women ensnared in abusive relationships. Many survivors remain tethered to abusers not only because of physical or emotional control but because their abusers often control the financial resources essential for survival. As Oagile notes, many survivors rely on their abusers for “basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing.” The fear of financial destitution, compounded by social isolation and stigma, layers additional barriers to escape. Leaving an abusive relationship can mean not only losing a home but also enduring shame or alienation from family and community, a psychological punishment that rivals the physical one.
This economic reality is supported by findings from the World Bank, which highlights that limited access to income and assets reduces women’s ability to leave harmful situations. Economic empowerment initiatives that provide women with financial services, steady employment, and property rights open avenues for greater agency, breaking some of the shackles that bind survivors. These programs enable women to bargain within households from a position of increased strength, reducing vulnerability to abuse. Yet, even with financial tools, survivors often wrestle with social and emotional shackles that limit their choices.
Compounding the issue is the insidious role of silence and victim-blaming in perpetuating GBV. Many cultural norms reinforce the idea that abuse is a private family matter, something to be endured rather than challenged. This silence shields perpetrators from accountability and discourages survivors from seeking help. Preserving family unity often trumps personal safety, with communities framing women’s suffering as a sacrifice necessary for social harmony. Oagile observes that victim-blaming and stigma make it even harder for survivors to break free, as they face not only physical violence but also social ostracism and deep shame.
The social stigma that envelopes survivors extends into the judicial realm as well. Even when abuse is reported, survivors frequently withdraw their cases due to immense pressures—including fear of retaliation, community backlash, and slow-moving legal systems. This retreat underscores how control extends beyond physical violence to emotional manipulation, financial leverage, and social coercion. The power of the abuser is wielded through fear and isolation, eroding the survivor’s support networks and confidence to pursue justice.
Breaking this entrenched cycle demands a concerted and multifaceted response. Legal systems must enact swift and decisive action against perpetrators, paired with comprehensive survivor-centered services that address immediate and long-term needs. These include shelters, counseling, legal aid, and economic empowerment initiatives. Oagile stresses that justice alone is insufficient; survivors must be supported holistically to regain their agency. UN Women reinforces this approach, showing that when legal institutions, social services, and community networks act in unison, the prevalence of GBV declines and survivors reclaim control over their lives.
Changing cultural norms is crucial. GBV is perpetuated by traditions, religious interpretations, and community expectations that normalize male control and female submission. Communities often defend harmful practices as part of their cultural identity, making it challenging to introduce new norms that promote equality and safety. Effective prevention strategies focus on education, awareness campaigns, and engaging men and boys as allies in transforming harmful gender expectations. These efforts aim to dismantle the “rules of silence” while fostering respect and equality from early childhood onward.
The intergenerational nature of GBV also demands attention. Children who witness violence at home are more likely to experience or perpetrate abuse in adulthood, reproducing the cycle. The impact extends far beyond the immediate victim, reshaping family dynamics and community health. Addressing GBV requires engaging at multiple levels, individual, familial, community, and societal, to create lasting change. Supporting healthy relationships and equitable household roles is as much about public health and social stability as it is about justice.
At its root, gender-based violence is less about individual acts and more about power, the power to control, dominate, and silence. This grim reality persists because societies have too often tolerated or excused it under the guise of tradition, privacy, or economic necessity. But as survivor advocates, researchers, and policymakers push for change, a clearer truth emerges: real progress depends on uprooting these power imbalances and creating environments where respect, safety, and equality are not just ideals, but norms binding households and communities alike.
This is the challenge before us, transforming the painful cycle within households into a story of resilience and change, where power is shared and violence loses its hold. It is a long road, but one that must be traveled with urgency and unrelenting commitment.
