World-wide women are facing violence in the form of rape, forced and early marriage, stalking, trafficking and sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and domestic violence. The issue has been debated and ironed out on various platforms, but the problem still persists. Violence against women has been acknowledged as the most shameful social crime. It is rooted in social, economic and political inequality of women vis-a-vis men.
Long-term strategies are being undertaken to deal with the problem of violence against women at the grass-root levels, by providing advocacy and leadership skills, to generate public opinion about the urgency of the problem and its requisite solutions and to counter the social norms that strengthen women’s inequality.
Observation of these strategies and efforts by various individuals and groups will enable us to appreciate the seriousness of the problem and whether it is being tackled in the best possible manner or not.
Can Violence Against Women Be Eradicated?
Forums for checking the menacing growth of violence against the so called “vulnerable” sex have highlighted the grotesque happenings threatening womanhood and have strived hard to encourage women to raise their voice against male domination and discriminatory practices. World over, respective governments have passed legislation to protect the interests of women and to ensure their safety. Former President, Bill Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and President Bush signed the recent version in 2006. This was effort to check the growth of sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking among many other male generated crimes against the female sex.( Source )
In a panel discussion at the United Nations Headquarters (December 2008), Governments and civil society representatives felt that renewed attention should be given to the cause of preventing violence against women. The Baha’i International Community and the Christian Children’s Fund with the support of UN missions of France and the Netherlands organized the discussion. The members recognized the importance of the role played by civil society in checking the growth of violence against women. Focus was given to preventive measures such as providing training to health workers, teachers, law enforcement personnel as well as others concerned with the welfare of women. (Source)
In China, the gender violence mainly consists of violence against women. Such violence occurs all over China and affects families of all ethnic backgrounds and social strata. A survey conducted by the All-China Women’s Federation holds the view that violence against women was predominantly in rural China, on young families and lower educational groups. (refer to Domestic Violence in China by Dr. Cesar Chelala ( December 23rd, 2007 Source)
Pakistan recently was a witness to the violent death of its former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto Zardari. The former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi also fell to the assassin’s bullets. They were women who did not compromise on their beliefs. They proved their merit in a male-dominated society. They faced a different kind of violence, a violence that cut their career short in its prime.
In the U.S., January 2008 is the National Stalking Awareness month and it was felt that every effort should be made to protect the victims who face this crime. An on-line Stalking Resource Center provides information about stalking which includes assistance to the victims. The National Violence Against Women Survey conducted in the U.S. indicates that intimate partners stalked women and there was a link between intimate partner stalking and domestic violence and sexual assault. It was felt that people should be informed about stalking behavior patterns.(Source)
The Afghanistan Government Ministry for Women Affairs, in the post- Taliban nation, has set up two new bodies to protect women’s rights and improve their status. Efforts are on to focus on the problems that women are facing there and how to improve their conditions. ( Source)
It is quite evident that violence against women was matter of concern for many conscious citizens as well as respective governments. Women are discriminated by men, who treat them as being inferior and sex objects. They commit violent crimes against them be it in the confines of homes or on the streets.
Several house-wives have been maltreated by their partners and abused both physically and mentally. In many developing countries, many such wives do not express their feelings openly about such daily torture. In developed countries such incidents are coming into the limelight since women are putting their foot down and not allowing the men to treat them in such a wretched manner. Society will continue to ensure that women are safe and do not fall prey to the lust of men.
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