Introduction: Combatting Gender-Based Violence: A Multi-Approach Call to Action

Gender-based violence is a deep-rooted and rampant phenomenon which is an everyday part of the lives of many women and girls around the world. It encompasses a number of different behaviours on a spectrum ranging from street-based harassment to sexual violence. This is not an issue that can be addressed by individual states alone, nor can it be addressed satisfactorily through legal means. The normalisation of archaic patriarchal values and misogyny continue to reinforce systemic inequalities. This chapter explores the complex issue of gender-based violence, highlights the prevalence of this issue and also situates it within a socio-feminist framework. It's an introduction to this edited volume which brings together global perspectives on gender-based violence.