Question

What are some of the "myths" about gender-based abuse that are not valid?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Myths about gender-based violence:

1. Men are immune to such situations – It is not true that only women are the victims of gender-based violence and abuse. Although women are mostly the victims, men too can be victims of gender-based abuse.
2. Men and women are equally violent to each other – Statistics have shown that 47% of women worldwide in homicide cases were killed by their intimate partner whereas 6% of males were killed by their partner. This data was released by the UNODC in 2003.
3. Gender-based and domestic violence affects only some people – Although studies have been conducted based on culture, religion, class, education and even economic status, gender-based violence generally has no common ground.
4. Women should tolerate violence in order to help save the institution of the family – This is untrue and damaging. Tolerance towards such actions is cause for a gradual degradation of the family members and thus the family itself. Today, more than ever, authorities and organisations are willing to help victims of violence and abuse. Women need to report such abuse in order to maintain the family.
5. A man cannot rape his wife – This is a seemingly controversial matter that actually does not need to be complicated. This is because an individual’s rights are retained despite their marital status and “no” means “no”, no matter what the situation is.