COFEM SVRI 2017 Paper & Video Series

This paper outlines the way in which language that emerged as an expression of feminist theory and practice is increasingly being de-politicised with the effect of shifting attention away from, and undermining, the transformative agenda of VAWG and women’s rights work. Specifically, the paper examines how evolving definitions of gender-based violence (GBV) have shifted away from a specific focus on women and girls, and considers several problematic effects of this shift: lack of theoretical rigour; the struggle facing GBV actors to retain a focus on women and girls in their work; and the failure of other actors to meet their responsibilities to address violence affecting males, LGBTI groups broadly, and others. The paper concludes with a call for support to GBV actors in their efforts to ensure that the discourse and practice of GBV maintains a feminist-informed focus on women and girls, and that resources continue to be allocated to address the specific and pandemic GBV problem.