It could be physical, sexual, economic or even psychological. These are the forms of violence against women. Women and girls inclusive have regularly been victims of molestation, physical beatings and maltreatments which results in broken hearts, broken homes and hatred for people.
These forms of violence are interrelated and affect women from birth to old age. Some types of violence, such as trafficking, cross national boundaries.
In unison, the world is rising to eliminate violence against women. For this reason, every November 25 is set aside to reinvigorate the campaign against violence.
According to United Nations, “Violence against women is a human rights violation. Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women.
Violence against women, the UN believes impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security.
An analysis by WHO with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Medical Research Council, based on existing data from over 80 countries, found that globally 35 per cent of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
This analysis states that most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (30 per cent) of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner, in some regions this is much higher.
A Gender report in 2012 says that “Up to one third of Nigerian women report that they have been subjected to some form of violence. One in five has experienced physical violence.”
According to the report, “Violence against women is unacceptable, archaic, barbaric and unconstitional in Nigeria. Such violence meted against women includes: trafficking, circumcision, sexual harassment, physical beating et al. Nigerians in unison need not stay aloof even as the world unite to eradicate this abnormal situation.”
Speaking on the title “Uniting to end violence against Women and Girls” at an event held at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, earlier this year, the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, noted that there are institutional problems limiting the efficacy of the campaign against women abuse. One of such problems is ‘inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and difficulties with the judicial system.’
“Considering the increase in reported cases of violence and abuse against women, there is urgent need for reform of our laws. There are of course institutional problems, such as the inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and the difficulties with the judicial system and access to it.
“We need to adequately train and equip law enforcement agents to be able to enforce the law that convicted persons do not escape the full wrath of the law in order to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” Mrs. Fahola said earlier this year.
Collaborating her claims, a don at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Abigail Ndisika-Ogwezzy notes that the laws of the land need to be enhanced to provide the enabling platform for women suffering to speak.
She further calls on human rights group to create awareness amongst women to forestall violence. This she says will eliminate the naivety of women suffering from maltreatment in the society.
“Most times these women don’t even know they are maltreated. Therefore human rights groups need to create the awareness,” she says.
Proffering a solution to this hydra-headed problem, the don proposes a ‘multi-sectoral approach’ – Individual and societal approach. She says this approach involves sensitising the victims, men, opinion leaders, societal norms, religious leaders and law enforcement.
“The men need to be educated to see his wife as his better half. By knowing this, beating his wife results in beating himself and as such need not to be so.”
“Whenever the rights of a woman are violated, the first person she runs to is the opinion leader, her pastor or Imam. These people need to be trained on how to handle such cases in order not to result in an escalation,” she says.
The gender equality and women empowerment activist attributes the low reports to authorities by violated women to the following: no response plan, fear of the unknown, societal norms and poverty. “All these problems peculiar to Nigeria hampers the elimination of violence against women. There is a need to ensure a well structured approach to tackle this violence.
“The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number three supports gender equality and women empowerment and as such women must be empowered in order not to be at the mercy of the society.”
In his address marking the day, Secretary-General United Nations Ban Ki Moon, called for all people to recommit to preventing and halting all forms of violence against women and girls.
His address in full:
“Violence against women and girls directly affects individuals while harming our common humanity. In response to this global challenge, I launched my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign in 2008. Since then, partners around the world have joined our drive to protect the human rights of women and girls to live free from violence.
“I welcome the chorus of voices calling for an end to the violence that affects an estimated one in three women in her lifetime. I applaud leaders who are helping to enact and enforce laws and change mindsets. And I pay tribute to all those heroes around the world who help victims to heal and to become agents of change.
“Last month, on United Nations Day, I had the privilege of meeting again with one such hero: Dr. Denis Mukwege, the founder of the Panzi hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where women go after experiencing terrible atrocities. Dr. Mukwege has said, “Many times we are reduced to tears. Everything is so damaged. But we get to work. We operate. We fix what we can, and that is a lot.” He is inspired by the courage of the women he treats, including the many who go on to help others.
“Although Dr. Mukwege is dealing with violence against women in the context of armed conflict, his spirit to confront and fix this problem should apply to all of our efforts to help women facing violence in homes, schools and other civilian settings throughout the world, in every country, every society.
“Traditionally, this Day marks the start of 16 days of activism. From November 25th until December 10th – Human Rights Day – we make a special effort to organize and combat violence against women, an egregious human rights violation. This year, we are raising awareness by wearing the colour orange to symbolize our commitment to this cause.
“One way to make a difference is to support the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which helps respond to human rights violations and needs from physical safety to economic security. While the demand for its grants has more than doubled in recent years, the amount it has been able to distribute has diminished by 60 per cent. I appeal to all partners to help meet this vast unmet demand for resources to further advance efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
“This International Day to End Violence against Women is an opportunity for all people to recommit to preventing and halting all forms of violence against women and girls.”
