March 28, 2023 — A new study published today in Fish and Fisheries argues that gender-based violence (GBV) cannot be separated from other actions taken to achieve equitable social outcomes through fisheries management.
UN Women defines gender-based violence as any act of violence against a person or group of individuals based on their gender, and includes physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological threats, harassment, coercion, or any other deprivations of liberty.
Globally, there has been increased attention on understanding and integrating gender dimensions in fisheries. However, the intersection between fisheries and gender-based violence has received much less attention.
To better understand the issue, four gender and fisheries experts conducted a global review of capture fisheries and identified five types of gender-based violence ‒ these were physical, sexual, psychological, economic and cultural violence.
Dr. Sangeeta Mangubhai, an Industry Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Fijian Consultant with Talanoa Consulting and Pew marine fellow said the term ‘gender-based’ is used when violence is shaped by gender roles and expectations, power and status in society.