Module 1 Power and Violence against Women Session 8 Introduction The concept of Gender Based Violence (GBV) necessarily includes both the aspects of violence which arises out of asymmetrical power relations resulting from the socialisation processes, as well as gender based discrimination arising from structural violence against women, as can be seen, for example through the impact of violence against women as a result of armed conflict. Addressing Gender Based Violence in Sri Lanka necessarily involves addressing unequal power structures between men and women. Whether this (the issue of addressing power structures) is clearly articulated or not, every initiative, campaign or discussion that addresses gender based violence deals with these power structures that exists in diverse forms within different ethnic groups, within and between class barriers, within religious faiths, in public institutions and offices and within the private sphere. Creating a more equal and equitable relation of power between women and men can be achieved by changing structures and functions of power systems that reinforce inequality. Examples of different degrees of power relations • Domestic power – patriarchal structure (men/boys over women/girls) • Social power – social divisions such as gender, age, caste, class, ethnicity, race • Institutional power- family, religion, education, occupation • Administrative and governing power- typical hierarchical system of administration, decision making power, political power In order to reduce GBV women should have equal power/rights as men. To achieve this, power structures should be addressed under three different levels; individuals/household level, community/society and State. Therefore, working towards the creation of equitable relations of power is a vital step towards reducing GBV. Objective • To provide an understanding of ‘power’ as the main cause of gender disparities and gender based violence Activity • Provide reading material to participants as pre workshop reading. The reading material is in the Handouts on 5 topics below. • Discuss the contents of the 5 handouts in an open discussion. • Group participants into 5 groups and each groups discuses all 5 handouts. • Each group discuses power imbalances in gender relationships under each topic using the questions below. 85