Earlier definitions of gender-based violence (GBV) centered on violence against women. It was defined as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
Violence against women during elections (VAWDE) is any harm or threat of harm committed against women with intent or impact of interfering with their free and equal participation in the electoral process.