Violence against Women
Combating Sexual, Domestic, Physical and Psychological Violence towards Women, especially in Crises;
women worldwide are subjugated to violence and injustice in various forms, often ending in the denial of an opportunity to progress, develop and contribute to their community. Violence, that is, the physical and psychological aggression intended to hurt, damage or destroy another being, is a direct and outright violation of the deepest gravity towards human rights. Thus, the shocking facts and realities that many women today face as subjects to these offenses are not issues to be neglected in the slightest. It is important to note, that violence does not occur in only some communities. Violence is global, therefore needs a global solution.
In the face of the chronic crises of immigration and refugees fleeing conflict, a matter widely neglected is that of women migrants and refugees’ safety amidst the crisis. In the whirlwind of news and media focusing on the impacts and consequences of the migration wave in the Middle East and Europe, there is little coverage or attention given to the welfare of women and girls who are fleeing conflict. Women are leaving their homes and possessions, as well as their sense of security, if any, for unknown futures, and with that comes increased risk and danger to violence and vulnerability. In light of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), USFMEP proactively seeks to address the core aims that these goals are trying to achieve, specifically highlighting goal 5, regarding Gender Equality. Other goals which are undeniably interlinked will also be addressed: 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth,
10) Reduced Inequalities, and 16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The Security Council passed the groundbreaking resolution 1325 in 2000, declaring the need for creating a more welcoming environment allowing women to participate in decision making to realize their ideals and strengths, and it serves as a beacon of substance and integrity, held in the highest regards by all organizations and activists for women empowerment. USFMEP is determined to give women a loud voice to speak out on pressing issues of violence and injustice. Violence against women varies in form, but its impacts are virtually the same. It has been noted that women with disabilities experience higher rates of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, mistreatment and exploitation than women with no disabilities. This exposes the core of the issue: women are targeted for their perceived vulnerability and weakness, and as a subset of that, women with inferior capability due to disability are targeted even more. The results and consequences of violence ranges from immediate to long-run physical, sexual and mental costs, and in many cases is fatal. No woman offended by violence can escape its effect on one’s general wellbeing, and most alarmingly, it plays the biggest role in preventing women from participating to their fullest potential and capability in society. The impacts of violence extend to a woman’s family and larger community, affecting health, productivity, development and sanity. According to UN Women, an unprecedented number of countries have laws against domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other forms of violence. Nevertheless, there are still challenges that persist with implementing, enforcing and abiding by these laws. As a result, women and girls remain limited in regards to safety, justice, and integrity. The problem is clear: not enough is being done to prevent violence towards women and girls, and when it happens, there is no rightfully assigned punishment. The most serious barriers to escaping violence are fear of retaliation and lack of access to appropriate communications. Thus, in the search for solutions to these issues, there have been many international agreements such as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. The 1994 Violence Against Women Act under the leadership of then-senator Joe Biden was also a landmark legislation act combining new provisions to hold offenders accountable, as well as pioneering programs with indispensable services for victims of violence. The essential collaboration and cooperation at a global scale of inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations is also an immense asset towards finding solutions to ending violence, such as the General Assembly and the Commission for the Status of Women, this year at its 60th Session at the UN Headquarters, New York City. The role of women is indispensable for attaining sustainable development and world peace, and if women continue to be subjugated and targeted violently, this common goal will not be achieved. President Sally Kader, in one of her many speeches on the issue, claims: “Girls are abused. Mothers are abused. Women are seen as the most vulnerable, and this is our problem. If women can elevate their sense of empowerment and show cast this strength to their communities and the greater global sphere, we can eradicate many miseries from our world, and greatly reduce violence towards women”.