On this day, the 25th of November, we raise awareness and stand in solidarity with violence against women and girls. We celebrate it's elimination through recognition of this issue and evaluating the steps we will take to finally end this deeply rooted issue. This year, according to UN Women, we have experienced a shadow pandemic amidst COVID-19, meaning a rise in gender-based violence. Data and reports have emerged showing that all types of violence against women and girls has intensified, particularly domestic violence. The theme that the UNICEF Student Team Maastricht is observing under the umbrella of the United Nations this year is called “Orange The World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”, essentially focusing on efforts against domestic violence in times of this pandemic.
(Photo: UNWomen)
A global collective effort is needed to stop this shadow pandemic from growing. Addressing violence against women must be prioritised more in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Everywhere around the world, domestic violence case numbers are rising because of increased strains. Homes are supposed to be a place of comfort and protection from the virus during COVID-19, but women and girls worldwide experienced a different reality, facing violence and abuse in their homes on a regular basis. As per the data compiled by the UN body, there has been a significant increase in domestic violence cases and demand for emergency shelters across the world.
Please watch some of these videos to inform you about domestic violence during COVID-19:
Even before COVID-19, violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. It is crucial that we understand VAWG may manifest itself in many forms physically, sexually and psychologically such as:
Intimate partner → psychological abuse, rape, femicide, and more
Sexual violence and harassment → rape, child sexual abuse, street harassment, and more
Human Trafficking → slavery, sexual exploitation
Female Genital Mutilation
Child marriage
VAWG has devastating implications on women's lives and futures. The psychological, sexual and reproductive health consequences are one of the primary obstacles in the schooling and right to education for girls. Increased female participation and female empowerment has been proven crucial in all aspects of resolving global issues. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to prioritise violence against women and girls in order to tackle all global issues we are facing today.
This year's 16 days of activism (25th Nov - 10th Dec) international campaign focuses on the need for sustainable funding to end gender-based violence (GBV) by 2030, in line with the Agenda for Sustainable Development. Funding is a vital part of both preventing and sustaining a world without violence against women, and the UNiTE campaign calls for us to ‘Orange the World’ to raise awareness and action.
(Photo: UNWomen)
Society teaches us how to be women and men, and influences how we feel we must perform, look, speak, or behave to be socially accepted and what spaces we can occupy. However, this isn’t that simple. Sometimes, these differences enclose inequalities among men and women, and different forms of gender-based violence.
What is gender-based violence?
“Convention 190 defines gender-based violence and harassment as violence and harassment directed at persons because of their sex or gender or affecting persons of a particular sex or gender disproportionately and includes sexual harassment”.
16 facts for 16 days of activism
50% of women will face gender based violence (BGV) in their lifetime.
2. Violence against women is predictable and preventable.
Violence against women can damage the health and well-being of women.
Violence against women can damage the health and well-being of children.
Violence against women increases the likelihood of being infected with HIV.
Violence against women is an obstacle to achieving several Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Violence against women hinders economic development
Consequences of the link between child maltreatment and intimate partner violence
Effect of Alcohol on intimate partner violence
Increased vulnerabilities of sexual violence within conflict
Ability to prevent intimate partner violence through building skills
Ability to prevent violence through school-based programmes
Importance of engaging men and boys as a worldwide understanding of GBV
WHO measures in preventing of intimate partner and sexual violence against women
Sexual violence often experienced by health workers
Necessity and priority of increased research on preventing sexual violence
Gender-based violence has been described by the WHO as a global public health problem of epidemic proportion and a fundamental violation of human rights. Gender based violence takes many forms:
Child Marriage
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Honour killings
Trafficking for sex or slavery
Intimate partner violence
Femicide
Physical punishment
Sexual, emotion or psychological violence
Let's talk about gender based violence. Prevention is the only way to stop violence before it occurs. It requires strong political commitment, the implementation of laws that promote gender equality, investment in women's education and organisations and the recognition of discrimination women face daily. But prevention is just the first step. Gender based violence is deeply rooted in the gender inequality of our societies as a result of tradition gender roles, power-dynamics, toxic-masculinity, conflict and much more. Without tackling the root, prevention is only short term.
Please watch this video to inform you on gender based violence (GBV):
Most importantly, are you wondering how you can make a difference and help someone in need?
Please be aware and alert at all times. Listen. Someone you know might need your help.
Take action! here are just 10 ways you can help end violence against women, even during a pandemic. Ten ways you can make a difference, safely and impactfully.
(Photo: UNWomen)
1. Listen to and believe survivors → Don’t say, “Why didn’t she leave?”
Do say: “We hear you. We believe you. We stand with you.”
2. Teach the next generation and learn from them → Start conversations about gender roles early on, and challenge the traditional features and characteristics assigned to men and women.
3. Call for responses and services fit for purpose → Services for survivors are essential services. This means that shelters, hotlines, counselling and all support for survivors of gender-based violence need to be available for those in need, even during the coronavirus pandemic.
4. Understand consent → Phrases like “she was asking for it” or “boys will be boys” attempt to blur the lines around sexual consent, placing blame on victims, and excusing perpetrators from the crimes they have committed.
5. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help → If you’re concerned about a friend who may be experiencing violence or feels unsafe around someone, review these signs and learn about the ways to help them find safety and support.
6. Start a conversation → Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that’s been perpetuated for decades. It’s pervasive, but it’s not inevitable, unless we stay silent.
7. Stand against rape culture → Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalised and justified, fuelled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality.
8. Fund women’s organisations → UN Women works with women’s organisations everywhere to end violence against women, assist survivors, and secure equal rights for women and girls everywhere. Donate now.
9. Hold each other accountable → Take a stand by calling it out when you see it: catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments and sexist jokes are never okay.
10. Know the data and demand more of it → To effectively combat gender-based violence, we need to understand the issue.
Follow this International Day LIVE by the United Nations (UN):
Find out more in the following links on how we can work together in causing a radical positive shift in the treatment of all genders worldwide.
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