Violence Against Women

No country is immune to violence against women. Patterns of violence differ from country to country, from region to region. Developing countries are more prone to all types of violence, so are the provincial, rural, and underdeveloped regions. The 2006 UN Secretary-General's In-depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women states that 102 countries have no legal provisions against domestic violence.

Women are more at risk of violence from partners than from strangers. According to World Health Organization, partner violence is the leading cause of injuries in women in the United States.

Being insulted, belittled, pushed, kicked, hit and threatened is a way of life for many women. Violence usually starts early in the relationship. A pattern of continuing abuse develops. Younger women are especially at risk.

Women's attitude toward violence and women's acceptance of it and unwillingness to report it exacerbate the problem.

The majority of women who are abused don't tell anybody about their abuse. If they talk, they tell their friends or family. Too often when they talk, they don't get adequate response or help. Their well-being is often sacrificed for the well-being of the family. In addition, outside help is in many environments non-existent.

Severe injuries are the main reason that women seek help. In comparison with severe physical violence, moderate violence often goes unreported. Fear of losing their children and economic dependence are the culprit.

Women who are severely abused fight back more often than women who are experiencing moderate abuse.

The severity of the abuse is also the main reason for women to leave their home. Women who are severely abused are leaving more often than women in the environment of moderate abuse. Some leave and return many times. They say "For the family's sake." They say "For the kid's sake." Some who never leave say the same.

In many cases the violence doesn't stop after divorce or separation.

Education, employment and financial independence, empowerment, social support, they all play a part in protecting women from domestic violence. So does the social status and age. In some societies older women enjoy greater status that protects them against abuse.

Violence against women is a major social and health problem. Injuries, unintended pregnancies, miscarriages, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infections, gynecologic fistula, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders are but a few results of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The associated costs are high. According to UN, the cost of partner violence in the United States alone exceeds $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion for direct medical costs and $1.8 billion for productivity losses.

The roots of all forms of violence against women lie in gender inequality and discrimination.

Many societies and cultures still do not acknowledge violence against women, many tolerate it. According to UN, 5000 women worldwide die each year in honor-related killings committed by their family members. Forced marriages and child marriages are still widely practiced in Asia, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. Female Genital Mutilation was performed on more than 130 million girls and women alive today, predominantly in Africa and Middle East. Rape, often as a weapon of war, dowry murder and female infanticide are prevalent in Africa, Middle East and Asia. In Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States, 40% - 70% of female murder victims were killed by their partners. Trafficking of women and girls is a global occurrence.

There are success stories. The 2006 UN Secretary-General's In-depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women reports that 89 countries have legislation on domestic violence. Some governments have come up with action plans and programs to address and prevent violence. With a well-coordinated effort of health and social services, non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, judiciary and police, businesses and media, and community at large, violence against women was substantially reduced. Established in 1991 in Canada, the White Ribbon Campaign that engaged men to end the violence against women spread to 47 countries.

Sources: WHO, UN