International acknowledgment of gender-based violence (GBV) has emerged relatively recently, only gaining recognition by the United Nations in 1979. Since then, sexual, reproductive, and menstrual health rights have undergone significant change and scrutiny. This project delves into perceptions and representations of non-conventional GBV, specifically focusing on structural, symbolic, and bureaucratic forms, within the context of pertinent policies in Spain and Scotland. These forms of violence are rooted in: social structures of power; the acceptance and stigmatisation of individuals based on perceived ‘nature'; and subtle forms of discrimination embedded in regulatory practices, respectively.
From a feminist standpoint, this study explores the sociopolitical landscapes of Spain and Scotland. It examines the debates around the social construction of gender and the categorisation of GBV in current academic discourse. A review of relevant sociological theorists and their contributions to structural, symbolic, and bureaucratic violence follows. Through thematic analysis, the study assesses the presence of these nuanced forms of violence in contemporary policies addressing GBV.
While progress has been made in GBV and policy development, this analysis aims to shed light on less-discussed ways in which GBV persists, impacting individuals based on their gender. This research seeks to raise awareness of subtle forms of GBV, contributing to the broader goal of reducing discrimination and promoting gender equality.