Why gender equality measures can reduce violence against women

Whether in private or professional life, dependencies and power imbalances foster violence against women in Germany. Equality measures can help reduce these, offering women a way out of violent relationships. An article by Johanna Leibecke for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Number of reports of domestic violence on the rise

Violence against women in partnerships is being reported more and more frequently in Germany, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office's (BKA) situation reports on domestic violence. In 2022, 157,550 cases of violence in partnerships were reported, compared to 144,044 cases in 2021. However, it remains unclear whether violence against women is actually increasing or if the "dark figure" of unreported cases is shrinking. Factors suggesting the latter include the tightening of sexual criminal law, as more incidents now meet the criteria for a criminal offense. Furthermore, social awareness regarding gender-based violence and its various forms has grown. However, there are no current nationwide studies on the actual size of the dark figure. A 2004 study found that more than one in three women had experienced physical and/or sexualized violence since the age of 16. Violence against women is primarily perpetrated by (ex-)partners (cf. Müller & Schröttle). Similar results were found in a study from this year in Saxony. Since 2017, Germany has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). It states that achieving legal and de facto equality between women and men is essential for protecting women from violence.

Economic dependency as a risk factor in partnerships

The greater the power imbalance between a woman and a man, the fewer opportunities the woman has to defend herself against potential violence, and the more confident the man can be that she will not try. For many women, it is difficult to leave a violent partnership if they do not have a sufficient income or cannot afford their own home. Since far more women than men take on unpaid care work, they are less likely to have enough income and adequate pension provisions to be financially independent. The gender pension gap in Germany, for example, is 49 percent. This shows that women are often economically dependent on their partners and thus trapped in violent relationships. If a woman does fight back, men in positions of power often have ample means to discredit the victim.

Power imbalances in the workplace

Strong power imbalances can also foster violence in the workplace. One example is the scientific sector: because young researchers in particular are dependent on their superiors, a breeding ground for violence is created. A study at RWTH Aachen University found that nearly 40% of the female employees surveyed (compared to 8% of the men) had already experienced sexualized violence. Another study by UNI-SAFE found that well over half of employees and students at European universities and research institutes have experienced gender-based violence. The results show that respondents who are non-binary, identify as LGBTQ+, have a disability or chronic illness, or belong to an ethnic minority are more likely to experience at least one incident of gender-based violence than those who do not. Research cites rigid hierarchies, short-term contracts, imbalanced gender ratios, and harsh competition as reasons for the high prevalence of violence. These factors reinforce power imbalances, meaning that if victims want to take action against this violence, they potentially risk their careers or are forced to choose between poverty and violence.

Violence against women is still not taken seriously enough in society. Eliminating power imbalances should therefore be one of the main goals in the fight against gender-based violence. Promoting the actual equality of women and men to dismantle these imbalances is fundamental to this. Diversity measures can be an effective tool for achieving this.

Equality as an effective tool

Studies have shown that in companies with implemented diversity measures, the gender pay gap is smaller than in companies without such measures. These measures can include corporate childcare services, targeted support for female talent, or promoting work-life balance. Higher pay leads to greater economic independence, thereby strengthening women's autonomy. This reduces dependencies in relationships, allowing women to leave in the event of violence without being held back by financial constraints. In academia, too, equality measures can reduce gender imbalances and raise awareness of how hierarchies can be exploited.

Varying levels of vulnerability

Any woman can potentially be affected, and any man can be a perpetrator. Nevertheless, there are groups that are more severely affected by violence and have even fewer means to defend themselves. For example, women with disabilities are significantly more likely to be affected. Women whose residency status depends on their relationship with a violent partner cannot leave without jeopardizing their legal status. Other groups are taken less seriously by the police or the justice system than white women from middle-class backgrounds. Gender equality measures in companies and academia can make a difference. However, more is needed to effectively combat violence against women.

What can be done?

This requires measures at the personal, organizational, and societal levels. By speaking out against sexist behaviors and attitudes, promoting equality initiatives in organizations, and implementing policies that foster women's economic independence, we can actively contribute to creating a fairer and safer society for everyone.

Public awareness must be strengthened, and resources must be provided. This cannot just be about more shelter spaces and better-developed counseling services, as these only take effect after the violence has already occurred. Prevention is necessary to stop violence against women and other marginalized genders from happening in the first place.

November 25th has been the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women since 1981, and the day has been officially supported by the UN since 1999. The day serves as a reminder that for many women, reality continues to be defined by physical, sexual, and psychological violence.