Violence against women

Violence against Women

Thesis Statement

“From birth to the end of life, in times of peace and battle, women suffer through violence by the society, the community and family”.

Introduction

Violence and abuse influence women from every back ground. Women are assaulted by intruders, but more often they are physically or mentally injured by people who are close to them. There are many kinds of violence that women have to go through such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, son preference, dowry- related violence, rape, sexual assault within marriage, sexual harassment, forced prostitution and women trafficking (UN, 1996). Violence and abuse can induce unspeakable physical and emotional agony. Violence against women specifically intimate partner violence against women- is an extreme public health issue and violations of women's human rights. A study done by WHO found that 15-71% of women aging between 15-49 years, stated physical and/or sexual violence by their spouse or boy friend (WHO, 2013).

Discussion

Sexism

Every culture of the world consists of some or the other form of violence against women. They are considered as objects, or thought to be inferior beings, sending a message that women's bodies are objects to be used and abused. This sexist behavior has become a cultural norm in society. I believe that it is the economic system that pushes women into poverty and to be more dependent which in-turn forces them to work in unfavorable conditions. Throughout their academic and professional life, women are subjected to this form of systematic discrimination.

To gauge the impact sexism has on the personalities of young girls, University of Bristol surveyed a group of 13-17 year olds. Mostly one out of three said that they had been either pressured or physically forced into sex. Furthermore, one in every four girls admitted that they were victims of physical abuse at the hands of their boyfriends. It is safe to say that being victims of abuse at such an early age could scar these girls and change their impression of how they see relationships and sex for the rest of their lives (Fitzgerald, 2008).

Poverty

Poverty also contributes to the systemic issues that have an impact on women which leads to violence, abuse or discrimination. At this point, it is evident that violence against women and poverty are inter-related. Therefore, in my opinion, we need to look at the factors that contribute or lead to poverty. As described in Getting Out, poverty could be structural or incidental, “resulting from underlying conditions of the economy, and from changing events in peoples' lives such as divorce, separation, death or accident. There are other factors that result in poverty for e.g.

1. Discriminatory practices i.e. in business, academics

2. Differential access to the means to acquire “human capital” important to shaped up an individual's capabilities i.e. academics and guidance

In a research done by Applied Research Branch, Strategic policy, Human Resources Development Canada 1993-1998 reported that there were a few factors that played a major role in contributing to the poverty in unmarried women were: ...