Haiti experienced the greatest urban disaster of international history in 2010 when the county was hit by an earthquake which triggered one of the largest responses of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts ever identified. The Haitian population was harshly affected by the earthquake, killing approximately 200 000 people, injuring 300 000 and displacing over 2,3 million. Reports from the post-disaster period also revealed that gender inequalities were growing deeper and that cases of sexual based violence against women and girls increased massively. The history of Haiti shows similar patterns of discrimination and gender based violence against women and children. Research upon gender based violence in the aftermath of disaster presents that disastrous events such as an earthquake, often is followed by an increase in gender based – and sexual gender based violence. Disasters could also provide a window of opportunity for change of  traditional roles and social norms in societies where they are deeply rooted. In order to seize this opportunity disaster management needs to acknowledge and adapt to gendered needs and capacities in all stages of disaster relief efforts in order to provide these opportunities for the subordinated gender. This research is studying the responsive policies of the Haitian government in the aftermath of the earthquake 2010, presented in the Action Plan for National Recovery and Development of Haiti. The aim is to investigate if any exercises of power could be observed to have affected the increase of gender based violence and sexual gender based violence for women and children in the post-earthquake responsive period. The study will be carried out as a text-analysing, desk study and by applying the theoretical framework of Steven Lukes three-dimensional power approach and the theory of radical feminism abductively. The findings of this research presents that power exercises by the government can be observed to have affected the increase of gender based – as well as sexual gender based violence in the period of study.

Gender based violence (GBV) is a global public health issue and a major feature in humanitarian emergencies. However, the phenomenon is not inevitable and can be predicted and prevented. In a context such as the Philippines, where GBV is widespread and there is a constant threat of natural hazards, strengthening the capacity of humanitarian responders to reduce the risks of GBV post disasters can contribute to preventing unnecessary suffering of affected populations. Yet, no previous research has looked at factors associated with the perpetration of GBV and strategies used by humanitarian actors to engage with men and boys to prevent these types of violence post disasters in the Philippines. The aim of this study is to enhance this knowledge and investigate; how can humanitarian actors in the Philippines work with men and boys to prevent the perpetration of GBV post disasters? The study adopts a qualitative research approach and based on a literature review and 18 key-informant interviews with humanitarian actors in the Philippines, it explores the current knowledge and practice on the topic. The material was analysed in relation to gender and feminist theory, the Ecological Model of risk factors of GBV, a primary prevention approach and the Spectrum of Violence Prevention. The study identifies a number of aggravating factors that seem to be associated with an increased risk of perpetration of GBV post disasters, such as men’s loss of a livelihood and lack of coping mechanisms. However, these factors are not the causes of GBV but these violent acts are deeply rooted in gendered power imbalances and rigid gender roles in the Philippines society. Ultimately, the study concludes that to effectively prevent the perpetration of GBV post disasters, long-term and effective multi-sectoral efforts between a wide range of actors are needed. In this work, humanitarian actors can play a key role to initiate change. The study suggests that humanitarian actors, within their existing activities, should seek to increase men’s access to safe spaces, peer support networks and mental health services, and support men to develop more elastic gender roles and non-violent coping mechanisms. Programmes should simultaneously increase women’s empowerment, the broader community’s support for social change and allow for dialogue to take place between women and men to synchronise their social transformations. Finally, the study notices that a rather heteronormative and binary understanding of gender seem to be present in the shared initiatives to prevent GBV post disasters. Hence, the study suggests that humanitarian actors should strengthen the capacity of their staff to apply a gender and norm-critical analysis in their work by incorporating these aspects in internal trainings.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate if any linguistic differences between the sexes can be found in Swedish students’ compositions in English. My aim was also to investigate what features students perceive to be typically male or female. By studying a number of Swedish students’ English compositions, I was able to detect differences between boys’ and girls’ language and also compare my discoveries with earlier research. I investigated both the features that separate the genders in their writing and also what students identified as female and male language use. In my investigation, I found some linguistic differences between the sexes which were more distinct than others; for example their use of stative and dynamic verbs. But, on the other hand, I found no noticeable difference between boys’ and girls’ use of adjectives; words which are often said to be more commonly used by girls.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / This study aimed to investigate how male university students become involved in activism to end sexual violence against women. Historically, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention efforts have been a women's issue and men have not typically been part of this violence prevention picture. However, in the past two decades there have been increasing efforts to involve men. This has been motivated by growing recognition that, "while most men do not use violence against women, when violence does occur it is perpetrated largely by men and the ideas and behaviours linked to masculinity are highly influential in men's use of violence against women" (Flood 2011, p. 361). This project focuses on the Silent Protest, a campaign against sexual violence initiated in 2006 at Rhodes University. Since its inception the Silent Protest exclusively recruited women but, in 2011, men were actively invited and encouraged to participate as allies in activism to end sexual violence. This study aims to investigate the pathways through which male university students come to be involved in the Silent Protest and the meanings they derive from participation in protest activities. Men who participated in the Silent Protest were interviewed and the transcripts were analysed from an interpretative phenomenological framework. It was found that participation was motivated by an awareness of rape as a significant societal problem, a desire to make a difference, wanting emotional closure and as a result of the influence of family and friends. Participation resulted in both negative and positive experiences for male students. Positive experiences included a sense of accomplishment and pride and a sense of solidarity whilst negative experiences were feelings of helplessness, guilt and shock, feeling drained, and feeling grouped with rapists. Enhancing knowledge in this area can serve a critical role in informing outreach efforts on how best to engage and involve men in working towards ending sexual violence against women.

Magister Artium (Medical Anthropology) - MA(Med Ant) / Although gender-based violence has been identified as highly problematic in South Africa, it has not been given much scholarly attention in relation to refugee women. This study focuses on the experience of some of these women who have resettled in Cape Town. The main focus is on gender-based violence and the linkages between conflicts at home, fleeing from it, as well as the problems faced by women when they reach the 'new' country where they are suppose to be safe, but yet continue to experience gender violence. By referring to my own empirical research I try to tease out the many instances of violence and abuse such women face, how they understand and try to make sense of it and how they try to take up their lives in Cape Town. I utilized the much used ecological framework to analyze gender-based violence and argue that, while this 'model' is dynamic and allows one to make analytical linkages across different 'levels' of violence, it nevertheless does not adequately provide for understanding the relationship between larger global and international processes, the connection that women may still have with their countries of origin and the impact of being a refugee or unwanted 'immigrant' in South Africa. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The participants were 25 and a descriptive analysis indicated that three quarter of the women have in one way or the other been abused by their husbands/partners. The findings also indicated that refugee/forced immigrant women just like any other woman in South Africa do encounter gender-based violence but other factors beyond their control has exacerbated it’s occurrence amongst them. Thus, the findings were based on ethnographic research that analyzed how forced immigrant/refugee women talk about gender-based violence. / South Africa

In the past three decades, the HIV pandemic has struck sub-Saharan Africa and resulted in devastating consequences. Increasingly studies have shifted from applying a bio-medical approach to HIV to applying a social approach. This study focuses on applying a social approach. One of the major factors that contributes to the high HIV prevalence is women’s inferior social status. Women are unable to challenge their partners in situations of sexual intimacy and as such they are often at risk of contracting HIV. In Malawi, patriarchyis the dominant ideology structuring gender roles. These gender roles reinforce social hierarchies where women’s capacity to practice agency is significantly decreased. The domestic responsibilities female scholars carry often leads to their drop-out from school. Their lack of formal education, as a result, decreases their ability to pursue income generating activities. Furthermore their inability to acquire income increases their dependence on their partners. It is in part this dependence that perpetuates women’s vulnerability and ultimately increases their risk of contracting HIV. This study focused on how women are socialised to perform certain gendered roles and how this socialisation ultimately affects their capacity to negotiate safe sex.Various institutions and organisations have driven intervention programmes in communities in Malawi in order to address the issue of HIV/AIDS. This study looks at how socialisation of young women living in a peri-urban community in Malawi has changed and how this change has influenced their capacity to negotiate safe sex. The study found that although socialisation had changed and had some impact on increasing female scholars efficacy with regard to their education, they still remain constrained by their social status in a patriarchal context. Through the adapting of the curriculum, schools address issues of gender inequality and the changing roles of women. However, these institutions continue to remain male dominated. This poses an obstacle as they reinforce gender roles of subordinate women and in doing so diminish the impact of the new curriculum. Gender roles continue to make it difficult for women to practice agency in particular with regard to negotiating safe sex. In instances where women have suggested condom use, they have been subjected to domestic abuse or faced the withdrawal of financial support for a given period. This study proposes a continuum of agency ranging from submissive to autonomous. It suggests that women are never entirely submissive or autonomous. They either practice agency by manipulating their boundaries or pushing their boundaries. This study revealed that although there have been significant changes in the process of socialisation, women’s ability to practice agency is considerably limited. Where it is exercised, it often results in separating from their spouses. However, in spite of all the difficulties, women do practice agency on various levels. It also revealed that scholars are developing agency with regards to education. However, social structures continue to reinforce patriarchy. This creates contradictory messages which the scholars are not always able to negotiate. / Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Sociology / unrestricted

Utilizing a gender-based violence approach, this study investigated service delivery realities for a Moroccan women’s centre serving unwed mothers and their babies. Primary research methods included participant observation and semi-structured interviews (n=20) with unwed mothers and centre staff. This study aimed to determine what factors lead mothers to seek assistance, types of assistance offered, and challenges and future opportunities for services. Findings indicate a lack of social support to mothers, lack of social and economic support for the centre and reduced service capacity, and the use of deceit in interactions between mothers and staff rooted in cultural notions of shame. Future opportunities for program development and sustainability are discussed. This work hopes to contribute to a richer understanding of gender-based violence in local contexts through the investigation of unwed mother’s experiences of gender-based violence in Moroccan society and how these experiences impact the reality and capabilities of social service provision.

Sexual violence is a prominent issue worldwide, especially during times of war and conflict. For refugee women, experiences with sexual violence are often incorporated in women’s reasons for forced migration. During the immigration process to Canada, refugee women are asked to share their narratives, at which point they may or may not disclose their histories of sexual violence. In June 2012, the Canadian government made substantial cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program. For refugee women who are survivors of sexual violence, this means that they are further limited in accessing services they might require in order to deal with the sexual violence they have experienced. Drawing from interviews we conducted with key informants (n=15) and refugee women (n=12) in both Toronto and Ottawa, this thesis explores both the lived experiences of refugee women and the changes, if any, that should be made to current service delivery. Our results show that there is a pronounced need for both small- and large-scale improvements at the systems and service delivery levels.

The purpose of this study is to qualitatively determine whether gender constructions influence gender relations in residences and the role these views have in the perpetuation of rape culture on campus, with a particular interest in how residence traditions contribute to these views. The social constructionist paradigm was used to co-construct the gender perceptions of residence students through a qualitative research approach. The study was aimed at participants who were familiar with the university’s residences and their traditions (residence students and leaders). This study was conducted among students at the University of Pretoria, who were familiar with the University’s residences, their traditions and the student protests which have taken place in the University in response to practices that fostered rape culture in the university and its residences, primarily focusing on students staying in campus residences. The study targeted two sets of groups: residence students and key informants. Current undergraduate resident students were the primary target population, regardless of the residence they reside in, their course or year of study. A focus group discussion was held with a group of male and a group of female students. Key informants for this study included residence house committee members, student activist group members and student representative council members. The researcher was aware of potential conflicts and made efforts to show good judgment and sensitivity to allow students to express their opinions and respect each other’s opinions. The study adhered to the University of Pretoria’s Code of Ethics for Research. The researcher applied the principles of respect for personal autonomy, benevolence, and justice, which do not work in isolation from one another. The quality, trustworthiness and rigor of the findings were ensured by triangulation of data sources (key informants and students) and data collection methods (focus groups and semi-structured interviews). By using a co-researcher to interpret the data independently, the credibility of the interpretation was enhanced. These findings show that there is evidence that some residences hold attitudes or beliefs which may perpetuate traditional views of gender, which are made apparent through their traditions and activities. As a result of this, residences can become a breeding ground for the perpetuation of rape culture and the enforcement of harmful gender stereotypes. It is also worth noting that it is not solely the formal traditions which play a role in the perpetuation of rape culture, but informal ones as well. Another key concern is how management of residences manages reported incidences of sexual assault or harassment. It is worth noting however, that residence students feel that there have been changes which resulted in a noticeable difference, particularly in incidences of rape culture. In spite of the highlighted challenges, students feel that there are positives to living in on campus residences. / Mini Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Psychology / MA (Research Psychology) / Unrestricted