Economic cost of gender based violence against women and girls in Lesotho

Abstract

The phenomenon of the prevalence of GBV is a global human rights concern.23 It is ‘rooted among other things, in gender discrimination, the misuse of power and detrimental norms’.24 It comprises of human rights violations such as harmful practices and this occurs globally surpassing socio-economic status, country of origin, religious denomination and language. These intensely affect both women and girls.25 Several reports together with numerous cases - nationally, regionally and internationally – reveal escalating levels of violence against women and girls all over the world.26 Any harm perpetuated against another person due to their sexual orientation falls under the umbrella term GBV. It impacts on their capability to appreciate their human rights.27 It affects the global shared values of ‘dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence’.28 It is a defilement of the rights of human and it manifests in several ways, including physical violence that has resulted in multitudes of femicide cases, choking and beating; emotional or verbal violence, psycho-social violence, physical and sexual harassment, domestic and intimate