Gender-based violence is a serious violation of human rights and one of the most widespread forms of gender-based inequality. This phenomenon causes harm to women, children, families, communities, and societies.

Law no. 217/2003 for the prevention and combating of domestic violence recognizes and defines the following forms of violence:

• verbal violence – is manifested using offensive, brutal language (e.g.: the use of insults, threats, degrading words), as well as using a high, threatening tone.
• psychological violence – manifested, in general, through verbal threats, insults, but also through discrediting, emotional blackmail, intimidation, control of personal life, acts of jealousy, coercion of any kind.
• physical violence – manifested by physical or health damage by hitting, punching, slapping, pulling hair, immobilization, as well as by using white or firearms, human trafficking for work, removal of organs, slavery.
• sexual violence – manifests itself through sexual aggression, the imposition of degrading acts, harassment, intimidation, manipulation, brutality in order to maintain forced sexual relations, marital rape, forced marriage, pornography.
• economic violence – manifested by banning professional activity, reducing access to basic means of existence (food, medicines, necessities, telephone, etc.), unpaid work.
• social violence – involves the imposition of isolation of the person from family, community and friends, prohibition of attending the educational institution or workplace, prohibition/limitation of professional achievement, monitoring of activities, etc.
• spiritual violence – manifested by underestimating or diminishing the importance of satisfying moral-spiritual needs by prohibiting, limiting, ridiculing, penalizing the aspirations of family members.
• cyber violence – manifested, in general, through online harassment, online messages inciting gender-based hatred, online stalking, online threats, non-consensual publication of intimate information and graphic content, etc.

Gender-based violence is widespread globally, mostly affecting women/girls, but it can also target men/boys, who can become victims of domestic violence, being assaulted by partners, children, or parents.

Sexual rights represent the right of every human being to have and live their own sexuality. Among them we can list the right to choose a partner, to decide whether to have sexual relations or not, the right to be informed about sexuality, etc.

Reproductive rights represent the right of every human being to make choices about pregnancy, contraceptive methods, or abortion.

The main sexual and reproductive rights are:

• The right to life – refers to the medical assistance received during pregnancy and childbirth; women’s medical services must not be based on any other consideration than the well-being of her and her pregnancy.
• The right to private life – refers to the right to make your own choices regarding sexuality, as well as the confidentiality that must be respected by those who provide you with medical, social, psychological, etc. assistance.
• The right to equality – refers to the right to be treated equally and not to be discriminated against for ethnic, religious, gender-related or health reasons; men and women have equal rights.
• The right to personal freedom and safety – refers to the right to one’s own body and sex life, the right to choose freely if and when you want to have children, the right to have access to reproductive health services.
• The right to freedom of thought – refers to the right to have one’s own opinion on sexuality and sexual health, as well as the right to discuss these opinions.
• The right to information and education – refers to the right to receive all the information necessary to take care of your sexual and reproductive health.
• The right to marry and found a family – refers to the right to decide if and when you want to start a family, as well as when you want children and the spacing between pregnancies.
• The right not to be subjected to torture and ill-treatment – refers to the right to be protected against all forms of violence related to sexuality, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape (including marital rape), human trafficking, child abuse or female genital mutilation.
• The right to medical assistance – refers to the right of access to medical assistance and to benefit from medical care under the conditions established by the laws in the field.

In Romania, rights in the field of reproduction are stipulated in Law no. 46 of January 21, 2003, regarding patient rights.

During this period, ICAR Foundation carries out the data collection/research activity at national level, by applying questionnaires both among refugees/migrants and among specialists from public authorities/non-governmental organisations with responsibilities in the field of migration/violence.

In this regard, we invite you to contribute to the research carried out within the EVA IRFAM project – There is Hidden Violence Affecting Migrant Women and to answer some questions about your experience working with migrants/refugees, focusing on gender-based violence.

The online completion of the questionnaire addressed to the specialists from the public authorities/non-governmental organisations can be done by clicking here.

The questionnaire is only available in Romanian.

The completion time of the questionnaire is estimated to be between 10 and 15 minutes.

We would be grateful if you could complete it by May 16, 2022.

Violence against women and girls exists in all countries and at all levels of society. Each state has a fundamental human rights responsibility to provide protection against this type of violence. This is not a private matter.

ICAR Foundation, which runs the EVA IRFAM project (There is Hidden Violence Affecting Migrant Women) has joined, since 2021, The Network for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, in the firm condemnation of all forms of violence against girls and women.

The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence calls on the signatory states to implement comprehensive and coordinated policies against this type of violence. The rights of survivors must be in the center of all measures. The work of civil society must be encouraged and supported. It is very important that the authorities formulate and implement specific policies and strategies to protect and help the survivors of gender-based violence.

ICAR Foundation aims to increase awareness of migrant women/young migrants on the ways of action in cases of GBV and the reduction of the tolerance toward GBV acts in the community.

Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and represents one of the most notable human rights violations. Gender-based violence has been defined by CEDAW Committee as that type of violence that is targeting a person based on gender or sex. It includes acts that cause physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, the threat of such acts, constraint and other forms of deprivation of liberty.

Although both women and men can be victims of gender-based violence, it was determined that the majority of victims are women and girls. It should also be noted that sexual violence, including exploitation and abuse, is a form of gender-based violence.