Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study
Background and objectives: Gender-based violence is a major public health concern. Although, in many instances, violence against women and girls encompasses the entire spectrum of gender-based violence in the public eye, violence against men is a very real threat that is obscure and obliterated with...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | SAGE Open Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251335145 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849314650027458560 |
|---|---|
| author | Sashini Jayaratne Kumudu Wijewardena |
| author_facet | Sashini Jayaratne Kumudu Wijewardena |
| author_sort | Sashini Jayaratne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objectives: Gender-based violence is a major public health concern. Although, in many instances, violence against women and girls encompasses the entire spectrum of gender-based violence in the public eye, violence against men is a very real threat that is obscure and obliterated within cultural norms. Identification of the legal and cultural barriers men face is a very important step forward toward promoting gender equity. There is a severe paucity of research on gender-based violence against men in Sri Lanka. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to explore the causes, effects, and help-seeking behaviors of men subjected to gender-based violence in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Two focus group discussions and two in-depth interviews were carried out among seventeen purposefully selected victims of gender-based violence and ten key informant interviews were carried out among service providers recruited purposefully in the Colombo district. Transcript analysis was done by using the thematic analysis method. Results: The study participants of the focus group discussions described themes of preconceived notions about the male sex, gender bias, power play, and masculinity norms as causes leading to gender-based violence. Many participants described their own or a peer’s life experience to explain the experiences and consequences of gender-based violence. The key informant interview revealed certain aspects of the support systems which need revision in order to make the services more accessible to men. Conclusion: This study provides evidence regarding the hitherto undiscussed topic of gender-based violence against men in Sri Lanka. The findings highlight the importance of taking into consideration and inclusion of men in the development of policies for gender-based violence in Sri Lanka. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-973b80ec20a342b3b36dce0c7c9565eb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-3121 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SAGE Open Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-973b80ec20a342b3b36dce0c7c9565eb2025-08-20T03:52:24ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Medicine2050-31212025-04-011310.1177/20503121251335145Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative studySashini Jayaratne0Kumudu Wijewardena1Ministry of Health, Colombo, Sri LankaFaculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri LankaBackground and objectives: Gender-based violence is a major public health concern. Although, in many instances, violence against women and girls encompasses the entire spectrum of gender-based violence in the public eye, violence against men is a very real threat that is obscure and obliterated within cultural norms. Identification of the legal and cultural barriers men face is a very important step forward toward promoting gender equity. There is a severe paucity of research on gender-based violence against men in Sri Lanka. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to explore the causes, effects, and help-seeking behaviors of men subjected to gender-based violence in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Two focus group discussions and two in-depth interviews were carried out among seventeen purposefully selected victims of gender-based violence and ten key informant interviews were carried out among service providers recruited purposefully in the Colombo district. Transcript analysis was done by using the thematic analysis method. Results: The study participants of the focus group discussions described themes of preconceived notions about the male sex, gender bias, power play, and masculinity norms as causes leading to gender-based violence. Many participants described their own or a peer’s life experience to explain the experiences and consequences of gender-based violence. The key informant interview revealed certain aspects of the support systems which need revision in order to make the services more accessible to men. Conclusion: This study provides evidence regarding the hitherto undiscussed topic of gender-based violence against men in Sri Lanka. The findings highlight the importance of taking into consideration and inclusion of men in the development of policies for gender-based violence in Sri Lanka.https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251335145 |
| spellingShingle | Sashini Jayaratne Kumudu Wijewardena Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study SAGE Open Medicine |
| title | Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study |
| title_full | Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study |
| title_short | Gender-based violence against men, a southeast Asian qualitative study |
| title_sort | gender based violence against men a southeast asian qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251335145 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sashinijayaratne genderbasedviolenceagainstmenasoutheastasianqualitativestudy AT kumuduwijewardena genderbasedviolenceagainstmenasoutheastasianqualitativestudy |