GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN A LITERATURE-BASED REVIEW OF PREVALENCE, CONSEQUENCES, AND PREVENTION

Abstract

Background. Violence against children is a common, but frequently unacknowledged, issue and is gender-sensitive in its nature and impact. It is recognized as a public-health problem, not inevitable, and is understood as predictable and preventable. Objective. This article discusses gender-based violence against children as a public-health issue, its prevalence, particularly gendered forms, and its impact on health and development, as well as available evidence on prevention. Methodology. This study is a narrative review and a literature review. It brings together peer-reviewed research and reports and data from authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. No primary data were gathered, and the review remains clinical, without a focus on graphics, but on the evidence in the public health arena. Major findings. Hillis et al. (2016) reported that approximately one billion children between 2 and 17 years of age experience at least one form of violence annually. Gender is an important factor in exposure to violence, with girls experiencing a substantially higher risk of sexual abuse than boys (18 per cent versus 8 per cent in self-report data (Stoltenborgh et al., 2011)), and child marriage and other harmful practices are far more likely to impact them, whereas boys face significant levels of violence that is often overlooked (UNICEF, 2023). This violence is linked to long-term damage to physical, mental, and reproductive health throughout the lifespan (Felitti et al., 1998). It can be significantly reduced with evidence-based strategies (WHO, 2016). Conclusion. Violence against children that is associated with gender represents a significant public-health concern that can be prevented. It is possible to realise a realistic pathway to reduce it by coordinated action across the health, education, social and legal sectors, based on evidence-based frameworks.

The words violence against children, gender based violence, child maltreatment, public health, prevention, and child protection are used interchangeably in this paper.