“It’s not enough to respond to violence—we must prevent it. That means shifting the norms that allow it to happen in the first place.”

In this interview with Channel News Asia on 26 Aug 2025, AWARE’s Director of Advocacy and Research, Sugidha Nithiananthan, discusses why domestic violence remains a gendered issue, with women disproportionately affected and men making up the majority of perpetrators.

This pattern is not a coincidence: it stems from patriarchal structures and sexist beliefs that continue to shape societal norms and institutional power dynamics. When men are taught to seek dominance, and women are socialised to be submissive, it creates a dangerous imbalance that enables and excuses violence.

Sugi highlights the urgent need for comprehensive sexuality education, starting in childhood. Teaching young people about gender equality, respectful relationships, and consent can disrupt the beliefs that fuel gender-based violence.