Role of Social Norms and Culture in Gender Violence

Gender violence is a complex issue deeply woven into the fabric of many societies. Norms and culture play a significant role in perpetuating and justifying this violence by shaping societal expectations, gender roles, and power dynamics. Rigid gender norms can create a climate where men are expected to be dominant and aggressive, while women are expected to be submissive and passive. This creates an uneven playing field where violence against women is often seen as acceptable, even expected, behavior. Cultural beliefs and traditions can further reinforce these norms, for example, through practices like child marriage, female genital mutilation, or honor killings. These harmful practices not only directly violate women’s rights and safety but also normalize the idea of male control and female subordination, creating a breeding ground for further violence. Understanding the intricate interplay between norms, culture, and gender violence is crucial for dismantling these harmful structures and building a society where all individuals can live free from fear and discrimination. Gender norms are the cultural messages we all get about the way men and women are “supposed†to be. Tropes like boys will be boys. Take it like a man. A woman’s place. Act like a lady. Sometimes these messages are indirect, implied, or invisible; others, direct, specific, and overt. These norms affect us all consciously or otherwise. Therefore is study focused on analyzing the prevalence of gender violence and also to find out the role of social norms and culture in abetting gender violence? Objectives of the study To find out the role of social norms in abetting gender violence. To find out the views of women on already established social norms.