Globally, one in three women experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
Girls and young women often experience violence at home, from physical punishment to sexual, emotional or psychological violence. Acceptance of violence as a ‘private affair’ often prevents others from intervening and prohibits girls and young women from reporting.
School and the journey to it can also be a place where girls experience violence, from sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation. This violation of girls’ rights, especially when committed by those in positions of care or authority, can impact on girls’ ability to continue and complete their education.
During emergency situations, girls are also at heightened risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, and abuse.
Violence against a female is also known with term Gender-based violence (GBV)
Gender-based violence against children refers to the violence inflicted on a child due to stereotypes and roles attributed to or expected of them according to their sex or gender identity.
Gender-based violence disproportionately affects girls and women, particularly through certain forms of violence such as child marriage, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, ‘honour’ killings or trafficking.
Gender-based violence is also a rising issue in online spaces, with girls and young women reporting harassment and abuse. For many girls, there is pressure to leave online platforms, or self-censor to avoid abuse. This puts the onus on girls to change their behavior, rather than the perpetrators and must be challenged.
 |
| Injured images Hindu goddess, representing the current scenario of Indian female. |
The reason behind violence against female
Violence against female occurs in all parts of the world, but the risk is higher where violence is normalized and where rigid concepts of gender exist.
In many cultures, violence towards girls and young women is accepted as a social norm. This must be challenged as a matter of urgency, and the blame, shame, and stigma faced by victims must be eliminated.
Girls must never be held responsible for the violence that happens to them.
Violence is the sole responsibility of the perpetrator, who must be held accountable according to national or international legislation. Fear or threat of violence must not restrict girls from living free and full lives, or from realizing their full potential.
Certain groups are more vulnerable to violence, including girls and young women from poor, rural or indigenous communities, those who are or are perceived to be LGBTIQ+, those living with disabilities, and girls and women who speak out about political, social and cultural issues and gender inequality.
On March 6, 2018; The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C., hosted a panel discussion on why gender-based violence remains so prevalent in Asia and the legal frameworks that exist (or don’t, but should) to protect women and girls. Here are key takeaways from our presentations and the ensuing discussion.
Violence against women is one of the deadliest forms of violence in Asia, yet it is dramatically overlooked by governments and policymakers. The Asia Foundation’s recent report, “The State of Conflict and Violence in Asia,” finds that gender-based violence is one of the deadliest forms of violence in the region. It often kills more people than armed conflict and other forms of escalated violence that typically receive more attention from policymakers and development actors. For example, between 2011 and 2015, India recorded over 40,000 dowry-related deaths. This is over 10 times more than the combined fatalities of the Kashmir conflict, the Naxalite rebellion, and Northeast India insurgencies during the same period of time, all genders combined. And dowry-related deaths are only one of many deadly forms of gender-based violence in India. In Nepal and Bangladesh, recent data from violence monitoring projects supported by The Asia Foundation indicate that gender-based violence is the first or second cause of intentional homicides in these countries, well ahead of political or ethnic-communal violence.
Most countries in Asia have laws against domestic violence, but nearly all laws exclude unmarried intimate partners. Panelist Paula Tavares shared research conducted by the World Bank’s Women, Business, and Law team on legal protections against domestic violence and sexual harassment. She reported that all countries in South Asia (five in total) and the East Asia and Pacific (EAP, 17 countries in total) have laws against domestic violence. But the composition and specific protections outlined in these laws differ across countries. Although it is widely recognized that domestic violence can include physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, half of the countries that have domestic violence laws do not include protections against economic violence. While domestic violence laws in South Asia include protections against sexual and economic abuse, 74 percent of women (age 15+) in the EAP are not protected from sexual violence and 76 percent of women are not protected from economic violence. There is also variation in who is protected by such laws. Globally, only one out of three countries protect unmarried intimate partners from domestic violence. Across Asia, most laws do not protect unmarried partners. Eighty-eight percent of women in the EAP and 100 percent in South Asia are not protected against domestic violence by an unmarried intimate partner.
Limited awareness, capacity, and lack of political will hinder women’s legal protection. Laws against domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence are just the starting point. There is no shortage of legislation, and most laws have been accompanied by awareness-raising campaigns. Human rights lawyers and activist organizations have been on the frontlines, bringing these measures into place and lobbying for justice. Asma Jehangir, who last year passed away, is one such example of courageous activism against injustices toward women and vulnerable groups in Pakistan, as well as across Asia and the world. In Pakistan, a robust legal framework includes a number of articles in the constitution, such as the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act (2016), Domestic Violence (prevention and protection) Act (2013), Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act (2010), and the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010). However, implementation is hindered due to limited awareness among the general public about the content or even existence of such laws; archaic legal systems and courts that are insensitive to the needs of victims, or the alternative of the controversial and patriarchal jirga systems; and weak administration and local government capacity.
Violence against women and girls extends throughout the life cycle. Gender-based violence against women and girls is multi-dimensional, deeply rooted in inequitable societal norms, and persists throughout the life cycle. Excess child mortality rates and a deep-rooted bias against girls often begins in the womb. Gender biases within a household have implications on health and education outcomes, with girls and women often faring worse than boys and men on relevant indicators. One of the most egregious forms of violence against girls is child marriage. South Asia sees the highest rates of child marriage, which is in turn associated with lower educational outcomes, inferior employment opportunities, and higher rates of domestic violence. Globally, including in Asia, legal protections against child marriage are limited, and many countries that have adopted 18 as the legal age for marriage still allow exceptions in cases of parental or judicial consent. Additional challenges such as low levels of female labor force participation and insecure public spaces both result from and perpetuate environments in which violence against women can persist. Though most countries across Asia have laws against sexual harassment-which may occur in or outside of the workplace, in public and private spaces-the laws vary in scope and coverage. These myriad factors and forms of gender-based violence compound to compromise the safety and well-being of women and girls and must be addressed holistically for prevention and response efforts to be effective.
Can gender-based violence be stopped?
Violence is not a private matter – it must be uncovered in order for it to be challenged. Ending gender-based violence will involve action at all levels: challenging social norms that condone violence or impose gender roles; strengthening legislation to criminalize violence, and prosecuting the perpetrators.
It’s vital for children to learn about gender-equality at school, just as it's important to promote intergenerational dialogue on violence against children. Community dialogue can challenge the attitudes towards punishment and dominance that perpetuate gender-based violence.
We must all promote and strengthen values that support non-violent, respectful, nurturing, positive, gender-equitable relationships for all children and adolescents, including the most vulnerable and excluded.
We must all promote and strengthen values that support non-violent, respectful, nurturing, positive, gender-equitable relationships for all children and adolescents, including the most vulnerable and excluded.
Comments
Post a Comment