Why does gender-based violence occur?

Partner abuse is about power and control over another person. It is about absence of equality and the low status of a woman in the relationship

Many people believe that men have a higher status as a human being compared to women, and as a result, in most communities, women are valued less than the men around them.

Many men are socialized to think of women, especially their wives, as a person over whom they should have power.

Because of this belief system, the community develops customs and norms that create acceptable ways of behaving in that community.

The Power and Control Wheel

The Power and Control Wheel demonstrates how men can use their power to control and abuse their partners.

The wheel exemplifies the different mechanisms that men use.