Written by Shannon Mathew, Share-Net Netherlands Knowledge Management Expert | Illustration: Shonagh Rae for NY Times.

Nearly two weeks into the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, we have gone beyond narrow legalistic definitions of gender-based violence and sought to explore the complex web of inequalities and oppression that leads to its myriad manifestations. 

At the heart of the issue is the perpetuation of GBV through structural inequities. Systems of oppression— including racism and xenophobia — are deeply embedded in institutional, cultural, interpersonal, and internalised dimensions of society, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of survivors from marginalised communities. For survivors of GBV, the intersection of race with gender often compounds the violence they experience and the systemic barriers they face in seeking support and justice. Marginalised individuals, particularly women and gender-diverse people of color, navigate violence at the confluence of several systems of oppression in relation to their multiple identities.

Please note: in this article, ‘women of colour’ includes the experiences of gender-diverse people of colour (POC) and any feminised body, due to wide reach of misogyny and sexism subjecting anyone in the orbit of ‘femaleness and femininity’ to violence. 

Persisting historical systems of oppression

The roots of gender-based violence against women of color run deep, tracing back to centuries of oppression. We see this in extensive historical accounts showing how enslaved African-origin women were subjected to systemic sexual violence as a tool of control, subjugation and reproduction. Similarly, indigenous women around the world were particularly targeted during colonisation, their bodies treated as battlegrounds in the pursuit of cultural and physical genocide.

As we know, the legacy of these historical injustices continues to shape the experiences of women of color today. Women of colour are disproportionately vulnerable to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and trafficking compared their white counterparts. Research has consistently shown that these communities experience higher rates of violence, which can be attributed to systemic factors such as poverty, historical oppression, and the enduring impacts of colonialism and slavery. The ongoing marginalisation of women of colour and the historical trauma they have endured contribute to their heightened vulnerability to violence.

Migrant women of colour, particularly those working in domestic and agricultural sectors, face disproportionate economic exploitation and sexual abuse. This exploitation persists, with women in low-wage, precarious jobs remaining highly vulnerable to abuse. Multiple studies highlight the unique challenges faced by immigrant women, who may be hesitant to seek help due to language barriers, fear of deportation, and cultural stigma.

Racialised stereotypes contribute significantly to the perpetuation of gender-based violence. Women of Colour are hypersexualised in the media and popular culture, which can lead to harmful perceptions that lead to reduced empathy for their suffering, make them less deserving of protection, and justify violence against them. For instance, we see harmful stereotypes about women of color, like the “angry Black woman” characterised as aggressive or hypersexual, or the fetishisation of the “submissive and exotic Asian woman” – both of which fuel sexual harassment and violence.

Women of colour often carry a double burden in their experience of violence, as systemic barriers within legal and social systems often make it harder or entirely prevent women of color from accessing justice and support. For example, due to the constant threat of deportation, undocumented immigrant women may be reluctant to seek help or report to authorities which makes them even more vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, mistrust of law enforcement due to racism may also deter women of colour from reporting violence due to the fear of not being believed, experiencing even more abuse in a vulnerable state, perpetuating stereotypes about their community, or exposing their partners to racialised state violence.

Cultural norms and community structures also play a significant role in how GBV is experienced and addressed, keeping in mind how deeply rooted patriarchy and stigma around vocalising against GBV can be. For centuries, women of color have been subjected to horrific violence, from the enslavement of Black women to the colonisation of indigenous lands. This painful history continues to shape the experiences of women today. Many women, especially those from marginalised communities, face pressure to prioritise their community over their own safety. This can make it incredibly difficult to seek help or be giving support, even when in immediate danger. 

Addressing the racial dimensions of gender-based violence

The 16 days campaign is built on stressing the need to take an holistic, multifaceted, and intersectional approach to GBV research, prevention, response, and programming.

Firstly, advocacy and support services must be culturally competent, sensitive, and responsive to the specific needs of survivors from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Instead of homogenising groups with generalised assumptions – including the grouping of ‘women of colour’ – it’s crucial to understand the several systems of oppression in relation to their multiple identities and respect uniqueness of experiences. 

Secondly, to break out of the saviour mentality and remember that agency can never be given; however, environments can be created that are conducive to the exercising of agency and decision-making capabilities. What is needed is more research, more funding, more resources to empower communities to address violence through education, prevention programs, and support services. Centering the voices of POC survivors are steps towards creating a safer and more equitable world for all.

Thirdly, we need to uncover and challenge not only the visible but also the insidious systemic racism that permeates the fabric of society. Consider the multiple layers of how the intersection of identities play out in interpersonal and community dynamics to broader societal and institutional levels, and dismantle the barriers that prevent survivors from seeking and receiving justice. This means incorporating anti-racist frameworks, advocating for policies that offer inalienable protections to marginalised communities and hold perpetrators accountable, while being pragmatic towards the realities and desires of survivors. 

And finally and the most important, (self)reflection is key and you must always question the unconscious biases and assumptions which can hinder the ability to identify those most at risk and in need of support. As said very aptly by the HI organisation in their toolkit on intersectionality in GBV-programming, “the process of self-reflection starts by questioning our own identity factors, our privileges and disadvantages resulting from these factors. Then, it is about questioning each and every one of our biases and prejudices, which are influenced by our identities, our belonging to dominant or dominated groups, our direct or indirect personal experience of GBV”.

Can you hear the warning bells?

Addressing racial and xenophobic aspects within GBV is essential not only for their safety but as an integral step towards dismantling systemic violence on a larger scale. Like a canary in the mine, violence against the most marginalised – such as women and gender-diverse people of color, indigenous people, immigrants – is often a warning sign of broader societal destruction. These groups experience heightened levels of violence due to their position at the intersection of multiple forms of oppression, and a society that prioritises and is able to safeguard the most vulnerable of its population is a truly healthy society. 

References

Government of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. (2019, March 21). Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/society-societe/community-communite/ifca-iac/evidence_briefs-donnees_probantes/gbv-vfg/chowdhury-eng.aspx

Humbert, A. L., Strid, S., Tanwar, J., Lipinsky, A., & Schredl, C. (2024). The Role of Intersectionality and Context in Measuring Gender-Based Violence in Universities and Research-Performing Organizations in Europe for the Development of Inclusive Structural Interventions. Violence Against Women, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012241231773

Intersectionality & Men’s Violence Against Women of Color – Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness & Action. (2023, May 10). Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness & Action. https://stoprelationshipabuse.org/action/intersectionality-violence-against-women-of-color/

Intersectionality in Gender Based Violence Programming | HI. (n.d.). https://www.hi.org/en/intersectionality-in-gender-based-violence-programming

Park, S. (2021, September 29). The Links Between Racialized and Gender-Based Violence | ACLU. American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/the-links-between-racialized-and-gender-based-violence

Tahirih Justice Center. (2021, August 10). Gender-Based Violence – Tahirih Justice Center. https://www.tahirih.org/who-we-serve/forms-of-violence/ Violence, E. (2022, April 7). The intersections of race and gender. BWSS. https://www.bwss.org/intersections-of-race-and-gender/