Orange The World: End Violence Against Women Now!

“If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women we must start from the home for if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhere.”- Aysha Taryam. We have had some horrific violent acts against women globally. The Jamaican society was shocked in May of this year when a woman was doused with gasoline and set ablaze by her spouse in Great River, Hanover. The victim was airlifted to the United States of America; unfortunately she died a few days later. The international community was grief-stricken in 2012 when Malala Yousafzai was shot in her head by a Taliban on 9 October 2012. Malala survived the ordeal and later won the Nobel Prize for her work on girls' education in 2014. In most societies women are not viewed in equal terms as men. It is safe to say women are seen as second class citizens; this is problematic and often lends itself to abuse of our women. The continued abuse of women is a scourge on humanity. On November 25 the international community celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This date was chosen after the horrible deaths of three Dominican sisters who were fighting to have a country free of dictatorship back in 1960. According to the United Nations, 35% of women and girls globally experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help. The United Nations adds that while pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empowers women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence. The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological hurt 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 (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing: intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide; sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual; abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment); human trafficking. While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable - for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises. 16 days of Activism The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women will mark the launch of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign (November 25- December 10) an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day (10 December). This campaign, led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions. Among its activities, there is a UN official event that will take place on November 24. You can follow the webinar online through the UN Women’s website. The campaign also includes the launch of a new report with updated data on gender violence, as well as a multitude of digital initiatives in which you can participate. Iconic buildings and landmarks will be 'oranged' to recall the need for a violence-free future. So if you see orange lights, remember the meaning! Interrogation of Crime and Violence Violence against women is not a cultural matter; it is criminal. We live in a violent society. According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica recorded 1339 murders in 2019 and 1323 murders in 2020. The society cannot tackle gender-based violence without addressing crime and violence as a whole. It is unfortunate that we live in a society and indeed world where males are oftentimes socialized to abuse women. The government’s move to establish shelters for women who are in need of a safe space is commendable. There is need for more resources to be deployed to public education campaigns in order to sensitize the society regarding the impact of violence against women. The society needs to retrain and re-socialize our males to respect women as well as their decisions. If you think you may be a victim of abuse or you think someone may suffer it, find the signs and ask for help. There are a number of non-governmental organizations NGO’s which are willing to assist women who are victims of abuse. Help is available! Do remember that this problem is everyone's business and you should also help. The society cannot achieve sustainable development without first engaging in a process of interrogating matters concerning gender. Gender and development are inextricably linked. In the words of Hagir Elsheikh, women face an uphill battle, from sexism and violence to inequality. In some areas, they are forced to deal with a culture that promotes primitive practices that endanger them, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #GenerationEquality #orangetheworld #16days #InternationalDayfor the Elimination of Violence Against Women