“Gender Violence/Violence against Women”
Dr. Guruprasad S Y
Lecturer in English and Research Scholar
Seshadripuram Degree College, Mysuru
“[V]iolence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of ‘gender-based violence’ that result in, or are likely to result in physical, sexual, domestic, psychological and economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread abuses of human rights in worldwide, affecting one third of all women in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of death and disability of women of all ages and has many other health consequences- physical and psychological. Violence against women and girls is a
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Many women experience multiple episodes of violence that may start in the prenatal period and continue through childhood to adulthood and old age. The lifecycle approach to ‘gender-based violence helps one understand the cumulative impact of violence experienced by women and girls, especially in terms of its physical and mental health consequences. Gender violence is also the most powerful predictor of rape, sexual assault, psychological abuse and relationship violence. These crimes are predominantly against women and perpetrated by men. Gender violence highlights a male-patterned violence: a prevalent violence committed most often but not always by men, often motivated by aggression, revenge, competition, and entitlement, and includes sexual and other violence against women, girls and children. To prevent ‘gender violence/discrimination’, the whole mankind should change their view towards equality in the society. People should get proper education regarding the gender violence and its causes and
For many centuries, women and men were not treated equally. After the Civil War, women had many essential successes that helped them earn respect. Women have tried very hard to get to the point where they can be treated with the same respect as men. As of today, women are still not equal to men. Women face violence, discrimination, and barriers in society.
Institutional violence goes beyond violence towards women, however, a majority of the institutionalized violence happens towards women. Media, sports culture and pornography all multi-billion dollar industries have the potential to lead individuals to commit violence acts towards women. The media with regards to advertisements and commercials, present women in an objectifying manner and sometimes contain words that may hint at sexual mindset. Athletes are taught to be tough, however that mindset does not always stay on the field. Some athletes that have the potential to continue professionally attract a lot of attention from fellow classmates and fans all around the country.
Sexual violence happens every day across the world, “it is estimated that as high as 90% of rapes go unreported," (Repp). The majority of victims that are took advantage of are women. The perpetrators are usually men who lack empathy. Sexually violence both physically and mentally violates one of the basic human rights, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” ("Universal Declaration"). By increasing communications, educating the youth, and reducing mental abuse human rights activists will deter sexual violence in the educational environment.
Today violence against women is an uncontrollable phenomenon, which is a direct result of the rapid urbanization, industrialization and structural adjustment programs which are changing the socio-economic scenario of our country. "Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women" (United Nations Declaration1993) Domestic violence has attracted much attention of the sociologists in India since the decades of 1980s. Violence affects the lives of millions of women, worldwide, in all socio- economic and educational classes. It cuts across cultural and religious barriers, threatening the right of women to participate fully in society.
The author also argues that, “As a society, globally we are much more likely to tolerate violence against men than against women. Most victims of violent crime are male.” This is helpful because it shows that society does not notice sexism against men, or is much more likely to tolerate it, because we are so much more focused on women who are victims of violent
Violence is the use of physical force to damage people or property, it is able to cause physical suffering to people we love and those who experience it directly, as well as emotional sorrow to such individuals, families, and even at workplaces like school, communities or society, all are harmed by violence. The Tough Guise two, explains that violence is a social and health problem that often occurred by men which proceeds in many forms of power and strength. For example, some depressing violent that committed by men are family violence, which often stated as domestic abuse or child mistreatment. All these things begin with the abuse of power or powerful than the abuser such as the act of sexual violence, which includes rape. Community violence,
The official statistics can be used to educate about the prevalence and immorality of committing domestic abuse crimes. As the message continues to resonate through society that violence is unacceptable, younger generations are more likely to mature without considering physical abuse as an option to relieve anger. (Mouzos and Makkai, 2004) Men who supported gender equality showed far lower levels of violence than those who believed in the ‘traditional gender roles’. Likewise, women who were more ‘traditional’ were also less likely to report incidents of domestic violence.
Sexual violence can affect anyone. There is no end all be all strategy to avoid any and all sexual violence. However, studies have shown that some people are more likely to be affected by sexual violence than others. Typically, the people most likely to be at risk of sexual violence are people who are disenfranchised, in prison where a whole different cultural dynamic exists and people who can’t care for themselves. Just a few of these groups are Native American women, male prisoners, and children.
Universally, domestic violence is referred to abusive behavior that is used by the intimate partner to control or power over the other intimate power. This can be in the forms of psychological, sexual, economic or emotional threats or actions that will influence your partner (Kindschi,2013).Domestic violence studies provides that psychopathology, which happens when in violent environment in child development can make the argument of domestic violence progress of being a generational legacy (Kindschi,2013).I chose to write about the Feminist Theory to explain why people commit domestic violence. It believes that the root causes of domestic violence is the outcome of living in a society that condones aggressive behavior by men, while women
With the rise of civilization also came the rise of patriarchy-based societies and the slow decline of the importance of women in society. For the longest time the history of the world has been written by men who have been the head of the patriarchy and have forgotten the role of women in history. It is important to realize that women do in fact have a place at the table with men when it comes to importance in history, and are not just the ones cooking and serving the meal. It is women who tasked with raising the next generation. By looking at women of the past, people of the future can learn and evolve to fight oppression and gain their own power.
Women make up nearly half of the world’s population and they are a significant group of individuals in society. However, they are constantly mistreated by those around them and continue to experience an endless cycle of abuse. Women often fall victim of abuse in the hands of those who perceive them to be insignificant and worthless. The perpetuating cycle of violence that exists only allows more and more women to be susceptible to experiencing any form of abuse. This concept has made its way into cultural and societal norms where the idea of abuse being normal is embedded into the minds of those who abide by traditional ways.
Both men and women fall victim unto sexual and emotional abuse. Girls, however, are more likely than boys to have experienced repeated severe violence. Aisha Gill, in her article Violence Against Women : Current Theory and Practice in Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, and Exploitation, studied the amounts and different types of abuse both men and women face in our modern society. The data showed that girls were significantly more likely than boys to experience sexual violence. Disconcertingly, 31% of girls and 16% of boys reported at least one experience of sexual violence (Gill, 109).
Gender is the state of being male or female. Revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system. Therefore, Gender Revolution is the overthrow of gender discrimination, in favour of both men and women. Women, as well as men, have made great strides to equality, but inequality persists. Women have fought for many years for their place in the workplace, but that fight isn’t over.
What can be done to overcome prejudice towards Gender Equality? Gender equality entails protecting human rights, an economic necessity that allows women’s financial autonomy and national progress, and a country’s outlook on international relations. It affects childbirth rates, the quality of life and longevity of those children, and the type of life of the mother. The struggle is so vital to global stability and success that the United Nations (UN) addresses it in their sustainable development goals.
Gender Equality is the only way forward. What is gender equality? Gender equality is achieved when all genders enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.