Paper short abstract:

This presentation offers a reflective piece rooted in the author’s engagement with theory and empirical work exploring multi-generational perspectives on sexual health and wellbeing, including a focus on gender-based violence.

Paper long abstract:

Gender-based violence (GBV) is at epidemic levels, with global prevalence estimates of physical and/or sexual violence suggesting 1 in 3 women aged 15 years or older have experienced such intimate partner violence (World Health Organization 2021). Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls is central to the overall achievement of gender equality, security and human rights. However, the landscape of gender inequalities is showing concerning signs, with a third of countries making no progress or stalling [Equal Measures 2030]. As such, whilst there have been improvements these have not been enough to prompt genuine change and the 2030 gender equality goals will not be met. Where we would hope to see generational change in attitudes towards gender-based violence, we instead see an uphill struggle to achieve change. This presentation offers a reflective piece rooted in the author’s engagement with theory and empirical work exploring multi-generational perspectives on sexual health and wellbeing, including a focus on gender-based violence. Multi-generational perspectives on sexual health and wellbeing are shared from across two qualitative studies the author has led: the Deprivation, Masculinities and Sexual Health (DeMaSH) study (n=116 age 18-40), and; the Disclosing Stories project (n=19 women age 25-58). Given the enduring nature of experiences of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence, I will reflect on ‘conditions of possibility’, which may allow for emancipatory action (Fowler 2020).