Leprosy and Gender-Based Violence

"Leprosy and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)" article on the 'Do Leprosy Exist' site provides insights into problems often experienced by leprosy-affected persons. 

Violence can take any form that affects the mental well-being of the affected persons either at their home, workplace or in their community. 

This is not an in-depth narrative review. Readers are advised to research on their end to gain further insights. 

This is an evolving article and may be subject to change with updated information as and when available. Readers may share their views below the post or through the contact section of the "Do Leprosy Exist' site.

Image Source credit: Image by Tumisu from Pixabay 

Leprosy and Gender-Based Violence

Introduction

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a pervasive and severe global problem. GBV is any violence perpetrated against someone based on gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender. 

It is often rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances and can have severe and long-lasting physical, mental, and social consequences for survivors. 

It can take many forms, such as domestic Violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, etc. 

GBV is a human rights violation and a public health issue, and addressing it is critical for promoting gender equality and achieving sustainable development. 

GBV disproportionately affects women and girls, but it can also affect men and boys and non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals. 

GBV is a serious problem that has widespread consequences for individuals, families, and communities, and it requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to address and prevent it. 

Leprosy and leprosy-affected person challenges

Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease that may cause permanent disability. The causative bacterium Mycobacterium leprae gets transmitted in the community through close and prolonged contact with an untreated leprosy-affected person. 

Leprosy disproportionately affects marginalized and disadvantaged populations, including women and girls. Leprosy-affected persons may experience physical pain, discomfort, and a loss of function in their limbs or other body parts. They may also face challenges concerning their appearance, as Leprosy can cause disfigurement of the skin and limbs. 

Many leprosy-affected person experience loss of income, fewer job opportunities, and inability to carry out work entirely due to nerve weakness or disabilities. They often experience stigma and feel discriminated against in their daily life.

Effects of Gender-Based Violence among Leprosy Affected Persons

There is a complex relationship between Leprosy and gender-based Violence (GBV). Leprosy predisposes the person affected to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. 

The stigma may be internalized or societal, leading to social isolation and marginalization that may make the leprosy-affected person esp, women and girls, more vulnerable to abuse, as they may have fewer resources and support networks to protect themselves. 

The abuse may take any form, such as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, domestic violence and mental assaults. Women and girls' vulnerability may compound due to underlying social, economic, and cultural factors and limited access to healthcare and support networks.  

GBV can have severe consequences for leprosy-affected persons' health and mental well-being. Emotional abuse can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. There have been reported cases of women being abandoned by their partners after being diagnosed with Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. They may also face challenges in access to education, employment, and other opportunities, making supporting themselves and their families more difficult.

In some cases, men with Leprosy may feel ashamed or resentful about their condition and may take out their feelings on their partners. They may also feel isolated and alone and turn to abuse to cope with their hopelessness or despair. Men or women may isolate themselves from the rest of the family due to fear of spreading disease to their family. 

It is said that stigma related to Leprosy has reduced in recent years. It still persists and is practised by societal members.

Strategies to Reduce or Prevent Gender-Based Violence in people with Leprosy

Preventing and responding to GBV in the context of Leprosy requires a collaborative effort that involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, legal aid cells, healthcare providers, and leprosy-affected individuals. The below steps may help address GBV among Leprosy Affected Persons:

1. Addressing stigma and discrimination: 

People with Leprosy often face stigma and discrimination due to the disease, making them vulnerable to GBV. It is essential to address these underlying social issues through education, advocacy, and other efforts to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Leprosy in their homes and community. Counselling the person affected by leprosy may enable them to get over the internalized stigma.

2. Providing peer support and counselling: 

People with Leprosy who have experienced GBV may need support and counselling to cope with the physical and emotional trauma of the abuse. This may include medical care, counselling, and legal help. Engaging and empowering their peers to provide need-based essential support to leprosy-affected persons may help.  

3. Working with local organizations and communities: 

Partnering with local organizations and communities with lived experience can raise awareness of GBV and Leprosy to promote positive change. Working with organizations focusing on GBV prevention and response may empower leprosy-affected persons to voice their concerns to the concerned authorities to access public schemes and entitlements.

  

4. Promoting gender equality: 

GBV is often rooted in gender inequality, so promoting gender equality may help prevent and respond to GBV in Leprosy. This may involve supporting the empowerment of leprosy-affected persons and working to address gender-based power imbalances.

  

5. Building the capacity of healthcare workers: 

Training healthcare workers to identify and respond to GBV can help to ensure that affected individuals receive the support and services they need besides improved surveillance.

6. Ensuring access to justice: 

GBV often needs to be reported due to fear of retribution, lack of trust in the judicial system, or other barriers. It is essential to ensure that people with Leprosy have access to justice and legal support if needed. In most situations, health workers with legal aid knowledge and counselling skills in mental health may play a significant role.  

7. Providing safe housing and economic support: 

GBV can lead to social isolation and financial hardship for people with Leprosy. Providing aid for safe housing and socioeconomic upliftment, such as access to livelihood opportunities, can help reduce GBV's negative consequences.

8. Implementing laws and policies: 

Governments and stakeholders can enforce regulations to prevent and respond to GBV in the general population. This may involve passing laws to control GBV, establishing protocols for responding to GBV, and allocating resources for GBV mitigation measures.

9. Promoting healthy relationships:

 

GBV often occurs within the context of unhealthy or abusive relationships or financial hardships. Promoting healthy relationships and addressing issues such as power imbalances and unhealthy communication patterns can help to prevent GBV. Deploying mental health counsellors or empowering peers to counsel leprosy-affected people may be worth exploring.

10. Providing education and awareness-raising: 

Educating people with Leprosy and their communities about GBV and its negative consequences can help to raise awareness and promote change. This may involve providing information about GBV prevention, responses, support networks, and legal safeguards addressing social norms and attitudes perpetuating GBV.

11. Building community support networks: 

People with Leprosy who have experienced GBV may benefit from having a supportive network of peers, affected families, and community members with lived experiences who can provide emotional and practical support. Building and strengthening these support networks can help prevent and respond to GBV events promptly.

12. Notify Gender-Based Violence associated with Leprosy:

All the incidents of GBV associated with leprosy-affected people need to be reported, and efforts should be taken to address the underlying factors through a multi-disciplinary approach involving multiple relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion

Gender-Based Violence among leprosy-affected people is a complex situation that results from the interaction of various underlying factors that operate at the individual or the societal level. Both men and women are affected. 

Addressing GBV among leprosy-affected is not a health issue only, but socioeconomic and environmental factors play a critical role in its manifestation. 

The strategy to address it must be comprehensive, engaging different government departments, non-government organizations, community opinion leaders, and the affected persons and families.  

Leprosy - Frequently Asked Questions

What gender is most commonly affected by Leprosy?

While leprosy can affect both men and women, studies have shown a higher incidence of the disease in men than in women. 

This difference in incidence may be because men are relatively more mobile and engage in activities that bring them into contact with people infected with the disease. Additionally, men may be less likely to seek medical treatment for leprosy, which can contribute to a higher incidence in men. 

Leprosy, as such, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or race.

Why are people so afraid of leprosy?

Fear due to Leprosy has existed for centuries because of its disfiguring effects on the body and social stigma. 

People with Leprosy can develop nerve damage, which can cause loss of sensation in the affected areas and lead to injuries. This can lead to open sores and wounds, which can become infected. In severe cases, the disease can also cause the fingers and toes to become shortened and claw-like. 

These physical effects have contributed to the fear and misunderstanding of the disease.

Click FAQ below to Know More Frequently Asked Questions.

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