Violence Against Women

Hope TuryasinguraCenter for Domestic Violence Prevention

WOUGNET workshop

Hotel Africana Kampala, Uganda

2nd June 2010

Definition of violence against women (VAW)

The United Nations defines VAW as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

Definition cont…

Violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to;

Violent

Cruel

Brutal

Inhuman

degrading acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women of all ages.

Forms/categories of VAW

Violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography.

Violence against a woman is a crime, and a violation of her human rights.

Forms/categories cont…

Physical violence

Sexual

Emotional

Economical

Traditional harmful practices

Physical violence (physical pain)

Hitting with objects/on wall, beating, punching, slapping, kicking, bitingCutting with sharp instruments (axe, panga, knife, broken bottles e.t.c)Burning with hot water, acid, fire, hot ironsHair pulling All these mostly by spouses (domestic violence)

Emotional/psychological violence (hurting feelings and emotions)

Refusal to eat meals at homeProlonged silence Comparing you with other women Blaming you for everything that goes wrongIsolation (keeping you from spending time with friends and family) Over possessiveness/jealousy Threatening to hurt you/children/relatives Late coming

Economical violence (control of resources)

Control of all family resources (financial, labor, time, land, animals e.t.c.)Denial or refusal to engage in gainful employmentTaking away ones income or produceRefusing/denying a partner/spouse to own propertyDestruction of propertyRefusal to provide the needs Refusing a partner/spouse to participate in financial decision-making.

Sexual violence (control of sexuality)

Rape (public/marital) DefilementIncestAttempted rape/defilementExtra marital relationships/multiple sexual partners/unfaithfulnessHuman Trafficking for prostitution purposesInsertion of foreign objects in the partner /spouse’s genitals (sticks, bottles or pouring red pepper)Forced oral sexForcing someone to watch sexual acts Sexual harassment

Traditional harmful practices

Forced early marriages

Female genital cutting

Widow inheritance

Denial of inheritance rights

Denial of eating certain food stuffs

Woman belonging to the whole clan

Polygamy

Location

It takes place in;homes in communities on the streets in schools in churches the workplace in farm fields refugee camps during conflicts and crises

Who are the perpetrators?

FathersStepfathers Grandfathers God fathersHusbands BrothersCousins UnclesNeighbors

Perpetrators cont…

Boda Boda riders, Taxi drivers and conductors

Family friends

Teachers

Colleagues at school

Colleagues and bosses at work places

Religious leaders

Strangers

Root causes of VAW

Violence against women is about power and control.

The root causes of all forms of VAW lie in a society’s attitudes towards and practices of gender discrimination (roles, responsibilities, limitations, privileges, and opportunities afforded to an individual according to gender)

Root causes of VAW

Male and societal attitude of disrespect or disregard for women

Lack of belief in human rights for all

Lack of knowledge for human rights

Lack of value for women and women’s work

All the above lead to male dominance/patriarchy/abuse of power

Contributing factors (perpetrate/increase risk)

Alcohol/drug abuseReligious, cultural/family beliefs and practicesInadequate laws against VAWPoverty Different education levelsInter-marriages Different religious affiliationsDifferent political inclinationAge differences E.t.c.

Consequences of VAW

VAW affects all kinds of women every day. It doesn't matter what race or culture you come from, how much money you have, how old you are, or if you have a disability. Violence does not discriminate.

A wide range of physical, mental, sexual , socio-economical and reproductive, and maternal health problems result from VAW

The link between VAW and HIV/AIDS

“Violation of women’s rights through Violence is both a cause and a consequence of HIV/AIDS.”

– UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNIFEM in

Women and AIDS: Confronting the Crisis, p. 45

• HIV infection as a consequence of VAW (both biological and social vulnerability)

• VAW as a consequence of HIV infection (social vulnerability)

Challenges of addressing VAW

Domestic violence is still socially sanctioned.Perpetrators believing that they are victimsCulture Impunity (perpetrators not held accountable)Inadequate interventions (community and institutional)Inadequate public policy and legislationGender insensitive laws and policiesInsensitive JLOSLack of political will to address VAW

Conclusions

VAW is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights. Violence by an intimate partner is one of the most common forms of VAWA wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive, and maternal health problems result from VAW. Low social status of women in society is the root cause of VAWMany women do not seek help or report violence when it occurs.Not all men are abusive, but overwhelmingly, men are the major perpetrators and women are majority of the victims

Conclusion cont…

Violence against women is a chosen action against a woman or girl child simply because of her gender, simply because she is female. Violence against women cuts across race, religion, income, class and culture. Violence Against Women is deeply embedded in all cultures, so much so that millions of women consider it a way of life.A call for zero tolerance of VAWNo one deserves to be abused in any way

Recommendations

Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention ( address the root causes and contributing factors)Integration of VAW prevention and response in all programs Institutional change; implementation of new procedures (education, health, judiciary e.t.c)Multi sectoral approach: Coordination with other sectors e.g. JLOS, health, microfinance and social welfare sectors e.t.cHuman rights based approach

Thank you!

"Commit, Act , Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women!".

Questions and Comments