Invited commentary: disclosure of gender-based violence in developing countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Sociology

Background:

• Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant global public health issue.
• Previous research on GBV predominantly focused on North American populations.
• Understanding GBV disclosure is crucial for effective intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the prevalence and determinants of gender-based violence (GBV) disclosure among women in developing countries.
• To quantify the gap between GBV prevalence and formal disclosure rates.
• To identify factors influencing GBV underreporting.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data.
• Inclusion of approximately 300,000 women from 24 developing countries (2004-2011).
• Examination of disclosure to formal authorities: healthcare, legal, police, and NGOs.

Main Results:

• A substantial gap exists: 40% prevalence of GBV versus only 7% disclosure.
• Underestimation of GBV ranges from 11- to 128-fold, varying by region and reporting type.
• Underreporting is influenced by personal characteristics like age, marital status, and urban/rural residence.

Conclusions:

• GBV is vastly underreported in developing countries, necessitating targeted strategies to encourage disclosure.
• Interventions must consider regional differences and individual characteristics to address GBV effectively.
• Addressing GBV nondisclosure is critical for public health initiatives and support services for survivors.