Gender-based violence is harm, or threats to harm, against someone based on actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or other such sex/gender related characteristics. Gender-based violence is rooted in actual, expressed or perceived sex/gender identity, or adherence to socially-defined expectations of what it means to be man or woman, boy or girl.

Gender-based violence may include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse, or threats of abuse. People of all genders, sexual orientations and gender-identities may experience gender-based violence

Gender-based violence includes, but is not limited to, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, reproductive coercion and violence, stalking, and child abuse based on gender. Gender-based violence does not include actions taken by a person in self-defense against acts of gender-based violence.