Understanding the Root causes and Consequences of FGM, Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage

1 in 3 women is subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional violence in her lifetime
The most common form of violence against women, globally, is intimate partner violence
Recent studies observe that globally, 16-52% of women have been physically assaulted by an intimate partner at least once in their lives.
According to the WHO between 12 percent and 25 percent of women around the world have experienced sexual violence at some time in their– usually sexually life including rape.
Sexual violence is associated with increased health-risk behaviours including smoking, drug and alcohol misuse and risky sexual behaviours.
Consequences of GBV
Children who grow up in families where there is IPV suffer a range of behavioural and emotional disturbances that can be associated with the perpetration or experiencing of violence later in life

FGM can be seen as an impediment to a girl’s sexual enjoyment but also causes pain, infection and may cause death as well as birth trauma during child delivery.

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to report poor or very poor health, emotional distress and attempted suicide;

GBV in pregnancy increases the likelihood of  abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and low birth weight

Sexual violence is associated with increased health-risk behaviours including smoking, drug and alcohol misuse and risky sexual behaviours.

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to report poor or very poor health, emotional distress and attempted suicide;

GBV in pregnancy increases the likelihood of  abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and low birth weight.

Economic and social impact:
Rejection, ostracism and social stigma at community level;
Reduced ability to participate in social and economic activities;
Damage to women’s confidence resulting in fear of venturing into public spaces
Increased vulnerability to other types of gender-based violence
Job loss due to absenteeism as a result of violence
Negative impact on women’s income generating power
Children who grow up in families where there is IPV suffer a range of behavioural and emotional disturbances that can be associated with the perpetration or experiencing of violence later in life

FGM can be seen as an impediment to a girl’s sexual enjoyment but also causes pain, infection and may cause death as well as birth trauma during child delivery.