Understanding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Conflicts: Notes for Counsellors

Abstract

The paper explained how sexual and gender-based violence is a recurring problem whenever conflicts erupted. A conceptual definition of sexual and gender-based violence has been especially elucidated and a theoretical framework of gender inequalities and identities theory and violence as a continuum approach in understanding the grounds that modelled the why for sexual and gender-based violence has been explicated. The myths concerning sexual violence in conflict; the unfulfilled and uncontrollable sexual urges of soldiers, and the breakdown of ordinary social rules and norms in a chaotic conflict situation has also been discussed. Main categories of wartime sexual violence; recreational rape, national security rape and systematic mass rape were also discussed. Psychological traumas, depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties and nightmares, apathy and suicidal tendencies are also highlighted as consequences of sexual and gender-based violence. Suggestions given to stop sexual and gender-based violence should include attempt to further incorporate the dynamics of masculinity and femininity.