Gender Based Violence - Impact Evaluation of an Initiative Among the Waste-Collector Community in Ghaziabad (UP) India.

The study carried out in Vijaynagar, Sihani and Bhopura of Ghaziabad District indicate a prevalence of the Gender based Violence (GBV) such as Domestic Violence, Eve-teasing, Denial of Healthcare & proper Nutrition, Denial of Education etc among the extreme poor and marginalized waste picking community. Due to Lack of financial resources, alcoholism among males, the rate of GBV is rising with time. A majority of female does not have proper access to the healthcare due to their poor economic conditions or their dependence on their husbands, who are reluctant to provide them with proper healthcare. The women living in abusive and violent relationships prefer to stay silent on GBV. Lack of awareness about their rights makes women habitual to the domestic violence.

The study also reveals not only the wide experience of victims but also the types of perpetrators responsible for GBV against them such as Intimate Partners, husbands, family members, neighbors and unknown strangers etc. Most of the GBV happens at homes. Only the pervasive existence of cultural, economic, and social systems that subordinate women can explain the overall pattern of GBV.

The impact of GBV influence the emotional, physical and sexual health of the victims. The consequences of the GBV range from Psychological to physical. Psychological problems include frustration, fear, depression, tension, anger etc. Many women do not have access to the nutritional food and healthcare facilities due to their economic status or utter negligence on the part of their partners. Some of them are surviving on one meal a day.

Factors contributing to violence are dependency on the perpetrator, perception about men’s superiority, lack of education, awareness and employment opportunities. Women living in the waste pickers’ community tend to adapt themselves to this situation and accept these incidents as an integral part of their life.