Researchers and policy makers largely focus on gender-based violence (GBV) in eastern Congo’s conflict zones, leaving the remainder of the vast country understudied. Few in-depth studies exist regarding the nature and dynamics of gender-based violence that occurs in non-conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or on a regular basis within households of eastern DRC. This study uses the 2014 DRC Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data to explore the key factors that are associated with all forms of violence against women and girls in the DRC and takes a more refined look at the association between conflict and GBV than any other empirical study to date. By using a multilevel modeling approach, the research examines key risk factors at the individual, community and province level that influence a woman’s exposure or not to physical and sexual violence in the DRC. By developing and including variables that quantify social norms and attitudes as well as spatially joining data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Database, the study analyzes the role of individual and contextual factors and the relationship between gender-based violence and conflict. Findings highlight that a woman’s experience of intergenerational violence and patriarchal norms at the individual and community levels are among the strongest predictors of GBV in the DRC, and that intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of GBV, even in areas of conflict. Surprising results show that a woman is less likely to experience GBV in areas of higher armed conflict – even when considering non-husband violence. The results do not show higher levels of IPV in areas that experience higher instances of violent conflict, contradicting studies conducted in other contexts. One of the most striking results of this study is the significant and consistent role that community-level variables play in the models -- demonstrating the valuable contribution of multilevel analysis and use of contextual variables. This study underscores how critical the use of “neighborhood” variables is to understanding GBV risks and validates the use of the ecological theoretical framework, moving beyond only individual risk factors to explain GBV in the DRC context. / 1 / Monica Carlson

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Sociology, 2009. / "May, 2009." Title from electronic dissertation title page (viewed 11/25/2009) Advisor, Kathryn M. Feltey; Committee members, Joanna Dreby, Rudy Fenwick, Baffour Takyi, Peggy Stephens; Department Chair, John F. Zipp; Dean of the College, Chand Midha; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-147).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Akron, Dept. of History, 2009. / "May, 2009." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 8/2/2009) Advisor, Martin Wainwright; Faculty Reader, Shelley Baranowski; Department Chair, Michael Sheng; Dean of the College, Chand Midha; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis advisor: Gabrielle Oliveira / While the current refugee crisis is the result of various factors, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a significant issue for refugee women. This particular thesis is an applied perspective on the socioecological approach and feminist constructivist theoretical orientation to mental health and psychosocial service provision for refugee women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The findings are an analytical stand based upon four interviews conducted with mental healthcare providers working among Maine’s population of recent-arrival refugees from Central/Eastern Africa, as well as a comprehensive literature review on refugee mental health and sexual and genderbased violence theory. It argues that, vis-a-vis these frameworks, care providers can best account for the intersectional identities of the immigrant woman, as well as the collective identity of the culture in which she is situated, both ethnographically via the country of origin, and physically within the resettlement society. The interviews were each individually coded and aggregated into three thematic concentrations spanning a descriptive discussion of cultural differences in perceptions of mental health, a reflection from practitioners regarding the needs for furthering the field, and an inquiry into the macro-level barriers to care. The resulting qualitative evidence from the interviews supports the aforementioned orientations to care and, therefore, illustrates a strong case for culturally-competent applied psychology as a means for both individual and communal healing. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: International Studies.

The lack of transformation in gender-based social relations at household level seems to further entrench women’s state of disempowerment despite having access to employment opportunities. This study aimed to explore economic and power relations in the family from the perspective of women. A qualitative exploratory research design was used for the purposes of this study, since the study intended to present specific details of situation, social setting and relations dynamics. The sample consisted of thirty women from one organisation that primarily focuses on service delivery in relation to gender-based violence. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data. The findings in this study agrees with previous research that income and economic participation can serve as a tool for women to negotiate issues affecting their lives with relatively equal gender powers with their partners. However, the research also demonstrates that, indeed, income or paid employment was not sufficient as a weapon for equal gender power relations at the household levels.

Emerging groups such as the involuntary celibate (incel) subculture are finding new ways of reproducing real-world harm and violence against women making international headlines. Media portrayals of gender-based violence (GBV) are often problematic and at times inaccurate representations of the phenomenon. This qualitative content analysis of incel depictions in news articles published in Canada, the US, and the UK demonstrates that news media framing of the incel subculture is varied and multidimensional. The findings indicate four salient incel frames: "humanized" incels, "debilitated" incels, "sinister" incels, and "cyber" incels, each constructed using distinctive scripts that capture particular elements and describe both incel members and the subculture as a whole. More broadly, these frames can be organized into two distinct interpretations, the personalized and the politicized approach. The findings of this analysis reveal a tendency for the media to frame the incel subculture as a group of strange outcasts and 'weirdos', as well as potentially dangerous individuals. Pathologizing incel members as deviant others, distinct from ordinary men, can be problematic as it suggests that explicit sexism is confined to these small groups rather than being symbolic of wider societal perspectives and behaviours.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires public schools to be highly accountable for dollars spent on education and for the achievement of students. To support this mandate, the law expanded local control and allowed schools to explore innovative ways to enhance student learning (U.S.D.E., 2004). Given the opportunity, some public schools have experimented with single-gender classes as an avenue for improving the way students are taught. Studies have indicated that separating students according to gender has a positive impact on learning (e.g., Haag, 2000; Maslen, 2001; and Sommers, 2001). Single-gender settings have also been reported to have a positive affect on the attitudes of students (NASSPE, 2004b; Colley et al., 1994, James & Richards, 2003; and Rowe, 2000). Because single-gender classes were not an option in the public school sector in recent years, most current studies of single-gender education involve private and parochial schools. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the initial impact of implementing gender-based instruction in a suburban public elementary school in central Mississippi. The impact was analyzed in terms of the overall perceptions of the administrator, teachers, students, and parents who participated in the pilot program. The impact was also measured by the students' performance in the areas of academic achievement, school attendance, and classroom behavior during the pilot year of fifth-grade, single-gender classes. The results of the study indicated the overall perceptions of the participants were favorable toward single-gender classes. The students maintained approximately the same level of academic achievement in fifth-grade, single-gender classes as in fourth-grade coeducational classes. They produced an average of 2.6 years (grade equivalent) growth in Accelerated Math during the year of single-gender classes. The average daily attendance was consistent with previous attendance patterns and exceeded the district average. An analysis of discipline records revealed a positive difference in the reported conduct of students in the single-gender classes as compared to the students in coed classes throughout the district. The conclusions drawn from this study suggest continuing the single-gender classes. It is recommended that the administration and staff continue to explore gender-based teaching and classroom management.

Yes / This training manual on gender-based violence is intended for use by all those who train the police and other actors in the local protection networks. It outlines the principles of effective training based on the integrated competencies of knowledge, attitudes and skills, and emphasises the use of appreciative inquiry, group learning and dynamic techniques such as dramatisation and case-based learning

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2013 / TITLE: Perceptions of participants and community members about research on gender-based violence The goal of this thesis was to explore ethical issues in conducting gender-based violence (GBV) research with human participants in South Africa. We study this question from the perspectives of both the researchers and the research participants. This thesis has two specific aims. First, to critically review the applicability and usefulness of the WHO 2001 guidelines in regulating community based research from the perspective of the researchers who do GBV work globally. Second, to explore peoples’ motivations for research participation, their perceptions of risks and benefits in participating in studies, the perceived psychological impact of answering sensitive questions, and adverse experiences of research participation. Three studies were conducted to meet the study aims, and were carried out using the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques. In the first study, 12 in-depth Interviews were conducted with GBV researchers from various countries and a desk review was also conducted. Study two had two components. First, 26 in-depth interviews (adult 19 women and 07 men) were conducted, and data were also collected using participant observation over a period spanning three months. Additionally, a real life incident was analysed as a case study of ethical dilemmas faced by researchers when unsolicitated incriminating disclosures by participants occur during the course of data collection. Thereafter, 22 in-depth interviews were conducted with men and women (over 18) who had recently participated in a survey on gender-based violence. In study 3, data were collected from 1085 women and 985 men (between ages 15-26) using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed no empirical evidence from published literature and from the accounts provided by researchers to support the view that GBV research is exceptionally risky when ethical guidelines are adhered to or that is has greater risks than other community based studies. From the perspective of the research participants, findings show that breach of confidentiality was viewed as a major concern in participating in studies. This was reported by both men and women, with, gender-differences. Women were more likely to fear violent reaction from their male partners for participating in the studies without man’s approval, and some women were threatened by their partners, but this was not GBV specific. No man reported this fear or any adverse reaction by intimate partners or others. Men rather feared other negative ramifications like being shamed, stigmatized, humiliated, and embarrassed in the community if breach of confidentiality could occur. Findings of this thesis reveal a complexity of people’s reasons for participating in community based studies. Participants reported multiple and various, sometimes conflicting, reasons for participating in the studies. Most were motivated by self-interest to enroll while others reported reasons that were viewed as altruistic. For example, the chance to be tested for HIV, financial incentive for research participation (R20), hope for immediate financial assistance with municipal debts, assistance with their ill-health and intervention in abusive relationships, were some of the reasons given. Also, the desire to help advance knowledge, to contribute to society, to provide information that would help others suffering from same illness or disease, or those in abusive relationships like them were also given as reasons by participants and in most cases, same individual participants gave reasons that overlapped or oscillated between altruistic and self-interest motives. Emotional distress as a result of being asked questions about interpersonal violence histories and other traumatic experiences is viewed as major risk in GBV studies, and data from interviews with researchers in this thesis confirm this. Data from interviews with participants revealed that being asked in research interviews about such histories made the participants to feel sad and some reported that reflecting on these experiences was painful. Yet, none described the impact as harmful, rather most stated that such emotions occurred for a very limited time and that they did not need professional support to deal with the emotions. Many, including those who had emotional reaction to some research questions or had regretted participating in the research, also viewed the experience of participating in research as beneficial. The findings in this thesis have implications for ethical and safety guidelines on GBV research and on future community based sensitive research in South Africa. Findings presented here provide support to the WHO 2001 guidelines that studies that are community based and researching sensitive issues with women, including partner violence, should keep secret the violence focus and other sensitive questions at community level, and such focus be divulged only to participating women. This thesis has shown that this recommendation may provide protection to a particularly vulnerable subgroup of women i.e. those in abusive or potentially abusive relationships from potential physical harm.