by Stephen Maginga-Gisiri

Gender based violence (GBV) remains a critical problem worldwide. According to the World Health
Organization, about 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
GBV manifests in physical, sexual, emotional, and economic forms. While numerous strategies have
been proposed to combat this scourge, it is still far from coming to a halt. One powerful, yet often
overlooked solution is consent. Through fostering a culture where consent is understood, respected, and
prioritized, we can enhance the fight against GBV.
There is more to consent than a simple “yes” or “no.” It is a passionate, voluntary, and unambiguous
consent to partake in particular activities. That ought to operate and conform on the ‘FRIES’
model, meaning that consent should be; freely given without pressure or coercion, should be reversible
whereby one can change their mind regardless of their previous agreements, should be informed
whereby all parties must have necessary information to make decisions, enthusiastic where both parties
should be excited by the agreement and not because it is an obligation, and should be specific, implying
that agreeing to one act does not imply consent to others. These two way principles that applies to
both men and women should be applied across various contexts including intimate relationships,
professional interactions and social interactions to effectively combat gender-based violence.
Often, gender-based violence results from disrespect of bodily autonomy. To effectively address this
issue, there is need to promote a culture of consent through educational initiatives.Comprehensive
sexual education should be introduced in schools to educate students on consent, health relationships,
and communication skills from an early age. Additionally, media campaigns that leverage use of social
media platforms for advertisements and public announcements should be used to promote the
importance of consent.
Implementation and enforcement of law that defines and protects consent plays a crucial role in
reinforcing the importance of consent. Moreover, policies that mandate consent education in schools
and provide training for law enforcement can create a supportive environment for survivors and deter
potential perpetrators.Shifting attitudes of individuals from culturally entrenched communities on
consent is imperative in ending gender based violence.These can only be achieved if stereotypes
sorrounding consent are challenged and ensuring that grassroot movements advocating for gender
equality and consent education are fully supported.
Through prioritizing consent education and advocacy, we can empower individuals, reduce violence, and
foster a culture of respect and create a world where everyone’s boundaries are respected.