Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread and life-threatening problem exacerbated in poverty, natural hazards or conflicts, due to the breakdown of family and community protection structures and the stress of extreme financial hardship. The underlying causes of GBV lie in historically unequal power relations between men and women and pervasive discrimination against women in both the public and private spheres. Women and girls are known to be most vulnerable to GBV, but men and particularly boys are at risk also. By negatively affecting the health, resilience and productive capacity of survivors, GBV has a devastating impact on agricultural productivity, food security and nutrition. These negative consequences extend beyond the survivor to their families and communities.

The work of FAO and its partners to protect, support and restore sustainable livelihoods for men and women in rural and agricultural settings, and when delivered in safety and with dignity, is inherently protective. Multi-sectoral livelihoods programmes that address social and economic issues together are more successful in educing GBV than single track approaches. Men play a key role in preventing gender-based violence. As decision-makers, community leaders, perpetrators, allies and as agents of change, their role and participation is essential to change negative social attitudes and discriminatory practices against women.