The predicament of gender-based violence is a global concern, directly linked to patriarchal ideology. The paper examines the counselling approach of women NGO personnel towards women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). The article is based on the PhD research carried out between 2015 and 2016. Fieldwork was conducted in a Delhi-based NGO that strives to combat violence against women. In-depth interviews with 15 NGO personnel were conducted in the study. Since requests for recordings of the interviews were declined by the respondents, transcription was made from the notes taken during each interview. Drawing on the qualitative data based on the interviews, the article aims to understand the influence of internalised patriarchy on the personnel that impinged the experiences of the victims and their decisions.
The study reveals how the internalisation of patriarchal beliefs essentially clouded their counselling skills, which were to have been done objectively. It was found in the discussions that patriarchal values were internalised through socialisation that persuaded them to exert influence on women victims to accept their decisions. Women who sought help from the NGO failed to exercise their free will in decision-making. The data revealed that the counsellors' advice being clouded by their own internalised patriarchal values was unintentional and they were unaware of this revelation.
Findings from the study highlight the need for effective interactions free from internalised norms, values and biases. Rather, objectively addressing the victims’ situation can play a large role in mitigating their extenuating circumstances.
