Human rights NGOs and stakeholders approach towards curtailing domestic and gender-based violence

Gender-based violence has been internationally identified and described as a serious human rights infringement, which is perpetrated by people of both genders. The victims of GBV are equal the same as the perpetrators, though the degree of impact on women is high. GBV is caused fundamentally by cultural and religious inequalities, which manifest in various forms of unpalatable stereotypes in society. Their forms as identified by the Istanbul Convention are diverse: sexual and physical violence by intimate partners, cultural practices against the female gender in the form of forced or early marriage, denial of equal educational opportunity, political and social opportunities, as well as female genital mutilation. Treaties have been adopted at the international, regional, and sub-regional levels to address the challenge. State Parties to these Conventions have demonstrated a resolve to put an end to impunity in the handling of GBV by enshrining key provisions in the Constitution and other subsidiary legislation. Stakeholders are also working assiduously to bring incidences of GBV to the front burner through advocacy at all levels. Essentially, for there to be an end to GBV, all hands must be on deck; the State, NGOs, and institutions of government are saddled with the responsibility of investigating and management of GBV-related issues. Finally, victims of GBV should be assisted and perpetrators brought to justice.