Effects of Cultural Factors and Gender Stereotypes on Gender based Violence

Violence against women and girls is one the most widespread, persistent problem and devastating human’s right violation in the world. Currently almost one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence (UN Women, 2020). Prevalence estimates of gender based violence range from 23.2% in high income countries, 24.6%, in western pacific region 37% in eastern Mediterranean region, and 37.7% in the south East Asia region (WHO, 2012). This study is cross sectional in design. We tried to explore relationship and differences in cultural factors among three different countries Italy, Pakistan and Russia. Data was collected from (N=347) participants. Sampling was done using snowball sampling technique through spreading the link. The analysis of data revealed that gender-based violence have significantly correlated with gender stereotypes. Similarly, levels of gender stereotypes are high in employed people. Moreover, gender based violence is found to have a significant relation with conformity, and gender based violence significantly predicted negative correlation with the universalism. Level of gender stereotypes are higher in Pakistani population. It was also found that people from different countries were significantly different based on gender based violence, norms and beliefs, gender stereotypes, conformity, tradition and universalism. Furthermore, a mixed methods approach with maximum number of participants that integrates qualitative interview with structured survey instruments will provide insight on contexts, meaning, and motives, as well as thoughts perceptions and feelings linked with pro violence beliefs and stereotypes against women.