Gender-Based Violence: A Barrier to Achieving Peaceful, Inclusive, and Just Societies

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) aims to foster fair, inclusive societies and enhance global justice and institutional efficiency. Gender-based violence is a significant barrier to achieving SDG 16’s objectives, as it undermines peace and security, perpetuates inequalities, and violates human rights. One of the ways to achieve this goal is by reducing violence against women, a persistent problem in most patriarchal and developing societies. Despite substantial progress in enacting laws to address and prevent violence against women, the pace of change suggests that comprehensive legal protection will not be universally attained by 2030 (United Nations, The sustainable development goals report, 2022). This concerning timeline underscores the persistent challenges related to gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide. One such nation that grapples with the complex issue of GBV is India, where the prevention of gender-based violence remains a significant challenge (Dhar, Violence Against Women 23:141–161, 2017). Despite numerous constitutional provisions aimed at safeguarding individuals from GBV, its prevalence persists throughout the country, constituting both a constitutional violation and a grave human rights violation. To highlight the extent of the issue within India, the chapter includes a case study focusing on a unique form of GBV, female infanticide, found in the southern state of Tamil Nadu (George, Reproductive Health Matters 10:124–132, 2002). Despite the existence of laws and the efforts of various organizations dedicated to combating gender-based violence, these practices persist. We explore potential strategies for controlling such violence and fostering social progress toward gender equality, ultimately aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to create fair and inclusive societies and promote justice and efficient institutions globally.