Why Has GBV Reached Epidemic Levels & How do we Eradicate It?

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) isn’t just a crisis; it’s a persistent shadow over society that refuses to go away. While many of us like to think that progress is being made, the harsh truth is that violence against women and marginalized groups isn’t decreasing. It’s adapting, evolving, and, in many cases, worsening.

At The Galan Initiative, we’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on why this is happening and how we can turn the tide. GBV is so much more than physical abuse. It’s the woman silenced by economic control, the girl trapped in child marriage, or the transgender woman murdered in a hate crime. It’s an issue of power—who has it, who doesn’t, and how it’s used to control, harm, and suppress. To address it effectively, we need to look at all its forms, many of which go unnoticed in everyday conversations.

Why Is GBV Getting Worse?

One reason is the way violence evolves alongside societal changes. Technology, for example, has given rise to cyber violence—online harassment, doxing, stalking, and even the sharing of intimate images without consent. These actions aren’t just hurtful; they’re debilitating, leaving victims isolated and vulnerable in a digital world that offers no escape.

Meanwhile, global instability—whether from conflict, pandemics, or economic crises—fuels desperation and violence. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, domestic violence surged as women were trapped with their abusers. In war zones, women continue to be used as tools of warfare, enduring unspeakable violations that shatter communities and futures. And then there’s the rise in hate crimes, driven by intolerance and bigotry. Marginalized women, whether due to their race, sexuality, or disability, bear the brunt of this violence, often without recourse or recognition.

But the violence we see today isn’t just “new” or “modern.” Many forms have deep cultural roots that refuse to be uprooted. Practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), dowry-related violence, and honour killings are still alarmingly common, despite decades of activism. They persist because of traditions that prioritize harmful customs over human rights and because systems that should protect women fail to challenge these norms.

The Hidden Cost of GBV

What often goes unacknowledged is the sheer emotional and psychological devastation GBV leaves behind. Survivors of psychological abuse, for instance, describe losing their sense of self. They question their reality, feel trapped by fear, and often blame themselves for the abuse they’ve endured.

Economic abuse, another silent form of violence, occurs when women are denied access to financial resources, effectively keeping them tethered to their abusers. Reproductive coercion strips women of their autonomy, forcing them into pregnancies or sterilizations they didn’t choose. And then there’s forced isolation, where abusers cut the abused off from friends and family, leaving them with no one to turn to.

For those who face systemic violence, such as women in politics or migrants, the stakes are even higher. These women are targeted not just as individuals but as symbols of defiance against deeply ingrained patriarchal norms. Every act of violence against them sends a message: stay in your place or suffer the consequences.

Why Is Society Failing?

It’s not enough to say GBV is bad—we need to ask why it continues to thrive. A big part of the problem lies in the systems meant to protect us. Justice systems are often slow, inaccessible, and riddled with bias. Survivors are doubted, dismissed, or retraumatized when they seek help. When perpetrators are rarely held accountable, the message is clear: violence against women isn’t taken seriously.

Media and cultural narratives also play a role. Toxic relationships are glamorized, abusive behaviour is excused as “passion,” and victims are blamed for their own suffering. These harmful narratives seep into the collective mindset, normalizing violence and silencing survivors.

And then there’s the broader societal issue: many people still see GBV as a “women’s issue.” It’s not. It’s a human issue, one that reflects and reinforces the power imbalances that harm everyone. Until we recognize that, we’ll keep treating the symptoms of GBV without addressing the root causes.

What Can We Do?

The situation feels overwhelming, but change is possible. It starts with understanding. GBV isn’t just one thing; it’s a spectrum of violence, from intimate partner abuse and femicide to cyber harassment and hate crimes. Each form of violence needs to be recognized, addressed, and prevented.

It also requires action. Governments must enforce stricter laws and ensure survivors have access to justice, healthcare, and safe spaces. Communities must challenge harmful norms, call out abuse when they see it, and actively support survivors—not shame them into silence. Education is key, especially for young people. We need to teach boys about consent, respect, and healthy relationships while empowering girls to know their rights and demand better. On a societal level, we need to stop treating GBV as a “women’s issue” and recognize it as a human rights crisis that affects everyone.

At The Galan Initiative, we’re committed to being part of the solution. Through advocacy, education, and support, we aim to dismantle the systems that perpetuate GBV and build a world where everyone can live free from fear and violence.

A Call to Action

Gender-based violence isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of choices by individuals, communities, and institutions to look the other way, to accept the status quo, or to blame the victim instead of the perpetrator. But just as GBV is created by choices, it can be dismantled by them too.

We can choose to listen to survivors. We can choose to hold perpetrators accountable. We can choose to challenge harmful norms, speak up, and build a culture that values respect, safety, and equality. Until every woman and girl is safe, none of us are truly free.