Definitions and Injuries of Violence

Abstract

Definitions of violence and the kinds of injury named as violence are related issues. One general definition of violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation” (WHO 2002, 5). This definition divides violence into three forms: self-inflicted, interpersonal, and collective violence. Although they are distinct, clearly all of these forms are found in situations of war and armed conflict. The WHO definition seems to be broad, but I will argue for an extension of the concept of violence in order to portray a more complete picture of how armed conflict disrupts women’s lives.