Department Community Development Family & Humanitarian Affairs section Women’s Desk observes Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls
Philipsburg –November 25, marks the beginning of the United Nations 16 days of activism in observance of the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. The observation day commences on November 25th and ends on December 10 World Human Rights Day.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it, which manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:
• Domestic abuse
• Trafficking in persons
• Online or digital violence
• Child marriages
• Female genital mutilation
• Femicide
• Honor killings
• 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 (slavery, sexual exploitation);
The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life (Un women declaration).
This violence takes many forms and affects every society. It is a form of gender-based violence that must and can be eliminated. Gender-based violence is not inevitable, and it can and must be prevented. It is crucial to tackle the root causes and we, as a society, must empower women and girls by way of transforming these harmful actions
There are severe immeasurable societal consequences of violence against women and girls as a result there is a need to adopt comprehensive, inclusive, and strategic approaches to combating violence within the community. It is an obstacle to gender equality, development, prosperity, peace, and security.
Statistics show that violence against women and girls is prevalent and since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a rise in such cases. WHO estimates that 1-3 women or girls will encounter some measure of violence throughout their lifetime. PAHO reports 1 in 3 ever-partnered women aged 15–49 in the Americas have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner. 30% of women in the Americas have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner. 11% of women in the Americas have experienced sexual violence by a non-partner. Over the past two years, our local shelter estimates housing an average of 194 (women & children).
Community Development, Family, and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA)/ Women's Desk (WD) recognizes and advocates for the protection of women and girls in our community and opposes any form of violence or discrimination against women and girls as part of its responsibility to strengthen the position of women in our community. CDFHA/ WD continues to collaborate with NGOs and Civil Society to increase awareness, promote policy and advocacy, and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
At times, it may appear that little has been done or is being done to address violence in our community, or that we are simply burying our heads in the sand, yet work is still being done in the background. One could claim that there is an apparent increase in domestic violence instances due to the media's frequent coverage.
However, there is a silver line in that, persons are not afraid to report and press charges, this is a huge stride. In addition, there are reports of Prosecution (though the sentencing leave much to desire) these are commendable changes. But we must not stop there; we must continue to collaborate with the goal of combating all forms of violence against women and girls by confronting entrenched social and cultural practices that support violence.
