64 PERSPECTIVES ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | VOL 42 | 2024 any kind of meaningful change concerning domestic and IPV. Global definitions and statistics The European Commission defines GBV as “violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender, or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately” (European Commission, n.d.). Often, the terms gender-based violence and violence against women are used interchangeably because GBV is more frequently committed by men against women. However, it is important to acknowledge that violence against boys and men is also a form of GBV. Therefore, VAW is not the same as GBV; rather, VAW is a type of GBV (World Bank, n.d.). Sexual, physical, and psychological violence are often referred to by the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024) as the primary forms of GBV. As of September 2023, UN Women estimated that, globally, “736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older).” Of these 736 million, approximately 640 million have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner, such as a husband or male partner (UN Women, 2023). The WHO defines IPV as “behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors” (WHO, 2013). IPV often is used synonymously with DV, although they differ in terms of the types of relationships recognized. DV is violence of any kind perpetrated by any member of one’s family or domestic situation, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, uncle/aunt, or cousin, whereas IPV is specifically between individuals in a romantic or sexual relationship (Women Against Abuse, n.d.). IPV and DV are similar in that they often occur behind closed doors and between individuals who have a physically or emotionally close relationship. Global statistics reveal a concerning prevalence of IPV, even among young women ages 15 to 19. On average, one in four (24%) young women ages 15 to 19 experiences sexual and/or physical violence from an intimate partner as do 16% of women ages 15 to 24 (UN Women, 2023). These statistics underscore the pervasiveness of this issue, revealing its widespread impact within Morocco and on an international scale. Although GBV affects women in both developed and underdeveloped countries, the accuracy of data and the imperative to address the issue are significantly impeded by an overall deficiency in reporting and data collection. Between 2005 and 2014, fewer than half of the countries worldwide (89 countries) collected data on VAW. Fortunately, there has been a significant improvement in this regard. In 2021, the number of countries collecting survey data on VAW had nearly doubled, reaching 161 (WHO, 2024). However, underreporting remains a major challenge for those working to systematically combat GBV, partly due to the insufficient representation of women in crucial institutions, such as police forces, pivotal in aiding victims of violence. The issue’s persistence, however, primarily stems from a glaring deficit in reporting. In a majority of countries, fewer than 40% of women who have encountered violence actively sought any form of assistance, and among those, only 10% sought help from police or health services (United Nations, Statistics Division..., 2015). Unfortunately, underreporting, especially in instances of DV and IPV, is the norm in many countries because of the widespread societal acceptability of VAW. Furthermore, many women do not report abuse of any kind because of the belief, based on common misinterpretations of the Quran, that it is justified (Bouhout, 2020). In fact, analysts suggest that depending on cultural contexts, some men and women believe that wife beating is necessary to a certain extent (United Nations, Statistics Division..., 2015). Through her research on gender-based DV in Morocco, Moroccan scholar Nouhaila Bouhout (2020) recognizes this belief that violence is necessary and justified as rooted in the view that women are men’s property. This disparity between cases of IPV and DV and active reports of abuse is alarming, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive efforts to bridge this gap and protect victims. Ideally, improving the accuracy of statistics and definitions can build wider understanding and greater dissemination and visibility of GBV as a global crisis. In doing so, the adoption of effective preventive measures, especially in countries like Morocco that have historically struggled with the implementation of legislative measures and social efforts to combat VAW, could be more easily achieved. International context for change With VAW, and discrimination against women more broadly, persisting as a global issue, numerous international dialogues have emerged to explore effective solutions and recommendations for improvement. Many countries, including Morocco, grapple with
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