Review of Gender-Based Violence Research in Lebanon

Around the world, gender-based violence (GBV) reflects and reinforces inequalities between men and women. It is entrenched by power relations and control, cultures of silence and denial, political and cultural apathy, and affects men and women throughout their lives.
This review of GBV research in Lebanon aligns with international agreements including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which constitutes UNFPA’s framework for operations in developing countries. ICPD Programme of Action recognizes that women’s empowerment and gender equality are cornerstones of development; encourages men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behaviour and social and family roles with special emphasis on the prevention of violence against women and children; and calls on countries to take full measure to eliminate exploitation, abuse, harassment and violence against women, adolescents and children.
In 2008, the UNFPA in Lebanon launched a 2-year project to look at mainstreaming and institutionalising GBV in national planning and development. This Review of GBV Research in Lebanon is one of several activities commissioned in 2010 within this project. The aim of this review is ‘to identify, compile and review all existing studies and research – qualitative and quantitative - conducted in Lebanon in the past 15 years relevant to GBV prevention and protection.’ The review included a literature review of Lebanese, regional and international research related to GBV in Lebanon; stakeholder consultations including telephone interviews and a focus group; and systematic cataloguing of located research studies.