Is ending violence against women, up to women? | ticker VIEWS

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today

Millions of girls and women around the world fear for safety and wellbeing each day, both online and offline. Violence against women doesn’t discriminate based on age, background, or level of education.

Globally, an estimated 736 million women or almost one in three, have been subject to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence or both at least once in their life.

Most devastatingly, women are most unsafe in their own homes.

End violence against women

The United Nations is marking 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, from November 25, with “Orange the world: End violence against women now.”

The days will be dedicated to raising awareness and putting a stop to this crippling issue.

The statistics of violence against women are chilling, and the Covid-19 pandemic has sent the statistics skyrocketing. A new UN women report shows that the pandemic has eroded women’s feelings of safety, with significant negative impacts on mental and emotional well-being.

Violence against women shows itself in many forms, including physically, emotionally, and financially. It is vital to educate people that violence doesn’t always show itself in a physical bruise or scar.

Coercive control is a strategic form of ongoing oppression and terrorism used to instil fear. The abuser will use tactics, such as limiting access to money or monitoring all communication, as a controlling effort. This is a gradual process and possibly the most dangerous of all because there is often no obvious proof.

Until now, coercive control also referred to as ‘intimate terrorism’, is only punishable by Australian law if the victim has previously filed for a Domestic Violence Order.  There are also difficulties that persist in the ability for law enforcement to obtain evidence and for coercive control to be proven in court.

However, in the United Kingdom it coercive control is illegal, so there are constant pushes for the same laws to be imposed worldwide.

Violence against women is a pandemic of its own, that demands urgent attention. It is possible to end this catastrophe, but it needs to start at the root causes, social attitudes, and Government recognition.

“Intimate violence is prevalent… Impacting the lives of 1 in 3 women globally.”

Alethia Jimenez, UN Women Programme & policy advisor on ending violence against women

Putting a stop to violence against women

Often when it comes to stopping and avoiding violence against women, the responsibility is put on the women themselves. The attitude is that women shouldn’t walk alone late at night, or must carry their keys in their hands when walking to the car.

It’s on women to not dress provocatively or invoke any form of abuse on themselves. But, this attitude is the problem.

It isn’t the woman’s responsibility to walk in fear and avoid violence. The issue is embedded deep into today’s society and that’s where attention must be focused.

The process of addressing this issue needs to start with the perpetrator. We must look at addressing and educating the perpetrator’s behaviour more pro-actively and systemically before it eventuates into violence.

The attitude towards violence against women is far too normalised in society, and that must change before the problem can ever truly be eradicated. Let’s speak up, for the millions that can’t, because this abuse is not a way of life.

“The issue is that the violence is perpetrated. Why are men and boys perpetrating violence?”

“The issue is that we accept this abuse as a normal part of a woman’s life… So how do we change our attitudes towards this issue?” 

Alethia Jimenez, UN Women Programme & policy advisor on ending violence against women

*If you or anyone you know is experiencing violence or abuse in any way please contact your local helpline.