Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.5
Journals
IJERPH
Special Issues
Gender-Based Violence as a Global Public Health Challenge: Intersections, Determinants,...
ijerph-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Gender-Based Violence as a Global Public Health Challenge: Intersections, Determinants, and Pathways to Prevention

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 3122

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ariadna Munté-Pascual

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Social Work, Social Work Training and Research Section, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: social work; group social work; scientific evidence of social impact; Roma people; gender based violence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ane López De Aguileta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sociology, University of Barcelona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: successful educational actions; gender violence prevention; co-creation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Carmen Elboj-Saso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: social inclusion; social work; sociology; democratization of classical music

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a pressing global public health issue. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, with severe consequences for health, dignity, and social participation. Despite increasing awareness and international efforts, GBV persists across cultural, social, and economic contexts, underscoring the need for innovative and evidence-based responses.

Recent research has advanced our understanding of the prevalence and health impacts of GBV, as well as the structural and cultural factors that sustain it. Yet important gaps remain regarding how GBV intersects with other forms of inequality (such as ethnicity, migration status, socioeconomic position, or age) and how these intersections shape vulnerability and resilience. To address these challenges, comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches are required, combining epidemiological analyses, qualitative accounts of lived experiences, and evaluations of prevention and intervention strategies.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that expand theoretical and practical knowledge of GBV and its impact on health and well-being. We especially encourage papers highlighting intersectional and cross-cultural perspectives, innovative methodologies, community-based approaches, and policy-relevant evidence. By bringing together diverse voices and disciplines, this Special Issue aims to inform public health policies and contribute to the eradication of GBV worldwide.

Dr. Ariadna Munté-Pascual
Dr. Ane López De Aguileta
Prof. Dr. Carmen Elboj-Saso
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gender-based violence
  • gender violence
  • public health
  • intersectionality
  • health inequalities
  • prevention and intervention
  • human rights
  • policy responses
  • social impact
  • co-creation
  • successful actions

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

26 pages, 371 KB  
Article
Attitudes Toward Sexual and Digital Consent and Institutional Distrust as Determinants of Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Evidence from an Urban Adult Population
by Esperanza García Uceda, Diana Valero Errazu and Jesús C. Aguerri
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(4), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23040480 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 559
Abstract
Gender-based and sexual violence are major public health concerns, and norms about consent are central to their prevention. This study examines how attitudes toward sexual consent relate to digital sexual consent and to the occasional feeling of distrust in public consent campaigns and [...] Read more.
Gender-based and sexual violence are major public health concerns, and norms about consent are central to their prevention. This study examines how attitudes toward sexual consent relate to digital sexual consent and to the occasional feeling of distrust in public consent campaigns and institutions. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey embedded in the evaluation of a municipal consent campaign in Zaragoza (Spain). Adults (N = 404; 56.7% women) completed a 14-item short version of the Sexual Consent Scale–Revised, two items on digital sexual consent, and three items on institutional reluctance (perceived “sermonizing” tone, distrust in effectiveness, and lack of personal identification with the message). Correlation and multiple regression models with robust standard errors were estimated, controlling for gender, age, education, income, relationship status, and social media use. Attitudes toward sexual consent were strongly and positively associated with digital sexual consent. Gender was the most consistent sociodemographic correlate: men showed less egalitarian attitudes than women across all consent measurements. Institutional reluctance was systematically related to less supportive consent attitudes: perceiving institutional messages as exaggerated or personally irrelevant predicted lower support for sexual and digital consent norms, whereas trust in the campaign’s effectiveness was associated with more egalitarian attitudes. The findings support the continuity between sexual and digital consent and highlight gender and institutional trust as key determinants for the prevention of gender-based and sexual violence. Public health and social policies should integrate digital consent into consent education and co-design campaigns that minimize defensive reactions and rebuild trust in institutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender-Based Violence as a Global Public Health Challenge: Intersections, Determinants, and Pathways to Prevention)
24 pages, 308 KB  
Article
From Bottles to Bruises: Partner Substance Use, Relationship Dynamics, and the Risk of Intimate Partner Violence in South Africa
by Judith Ifunanya Ani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020160 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 578
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a persistent public health and human rights challenge globally, with South Africa experiencing some of the highest rates. This study investigates the intersection between partner substance use, controlling behaviours, and women’s risk of experiencing emotional, physical, and sexual [...] Read more.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a persistent public health and human rights challenge globally, with South Africa experiencing some of the highest rates. This study investigates the intersection between partner substance use, controlling behaviours, and women’s risk of experiencing emotional, physical, and sexual IPV. Using nationally representative data from the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS), a weighted sample of 2354 women was analysed. Findings show that 41.8% of women reported that their partners used alcohol and/or drugs, and IPV prevalence among this group was 36.38%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that partner substance use more than doubled the risk of emotional violence and nearly tripled the risk of physical and sexual violence. Controlling behaviours also emerged as significant predictor, with affected women facing up to nine times higher odds of IPV. These findings highlight the urgent need for integrated intervention strategies that address substance abuse and coercive control within intimate relationships. Prevention efforts must be context-specific, targeting underlying behavioural and gendered power dynamics to reduce IPV and improve women’s safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender-Based Violence as a Global Public Health Challenge: Intersections, Determinants, and Pathways to Prevention)
15 pages, 554 KB  
Article
Barriers to Healthcare Access for Homeless Women: Perspectives of Social Intervention Professionals
by María Virginia Matulič Domandzič, José Manuel Díaz González, Núria Fustier García and Eliana González Gómez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1872; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121872 - 16 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1316
Abstract
(1) Background: Female homelessness is one of the most invisible forms of social exclusion, aggravated by structural and gender factors and by experiences of violence. This research analyzes the multifaceted barriers hindering women experiencing homelessness from accessing healthcare services, from the perspective of [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Female homelessness is one of the most invisible forms of social exclusion, aggravated by structural and gender factors and by experiences of violence. This research analyzes the multifaceted barriers hindering women experiencing homelessness from accessing healthcare services, from the perspective of social intervention professionals. (2) Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using three focus groups with 21 professionals from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Lleida and Barcelona. An interpretative phenomenological approach guided data collection and analysis, and transcripts were examined through thematic analysis to identify common patterns in professionals’ meaning-making regarding healthcare barriers. (3) Results: Gender-based violence cuts across the life trajectories of most women experiencing homelessness, hindering their access to healthcare services. Barriers identified include lack of documentation, stigma and discriminatory treatment, limited access to specialized services, the absence of a gender perspective in healthcare, and a lack of coordination between social and health services. In addition, the study highlights the lack of preventive programs and health education tailored to this population. (4) Conclusions: It is essential to adopt a comprehensive, intersectional and gender-sensitive approach to safeguard the right to health for these women. Measures such as training for healthcare personnel, simplifying bureaucratic procedures, creating specialized resources, and improving inter-institutional coordination are proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender-Based Violence as a Global Public Health Challenge: Intersections, Determinants, and Pathways to Prevention)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop