FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

  FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

CASE STUDY: SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST FEMALES

INTRODUCTION

       The rate of sexual abuse and violence against females in different countries of the world increases as the seconds and moments go by hence, the need for Female Empowerment worldwide.

      Violence against women and girls is a widespread and systematic violation of fundamental human rights and an enduring form of gender based discrimination.  It occurs in every country of the world, rich and poor, stable and in conflict, and affects most women and girls, regardless of their age or socio-economic status. Every government – especially through political, administrative, and justice structures, mechanisms and processes – is accountable to end society’s tolerance of and states’ lack of responsiveness to this pervasive scourge on society. 

      Worldwide, women are vulnerable and at risk – enduring emotional and psychological trauma through harassment, terror and threats, intimidation, humiliation, degradation, exploitation and  physical, especially sexual, injury, maiming and disability, all with chronic health consequences even death. 

This extreme expression of male control and power over women often begins at infancy and may accompany a woman throughout her life to old age, through various relationships as daughter, sister, intimate partner, wife and mother.  All forms of violence against women and girls occur around us on a daily basis, in our homes, families, communities, institutions, workplaces and in the songs, films and images of popular media.  

     The institutions of Government, culture, religion, civil society and commerce are not immune from gender based violence within their own structures and organizations, among their members and constituencies.  It is not only the ‘common man’, the grassroots, uneducated or poor man, who commits violence against women. Doctors, lawyers, judges, parliamentarians, policemen, security guards, senior public servants, chiefs, priests and pastors, teachers and nurses commit crimes of violence  against women, in their personal and professional lives, often betraying their trusted roles as partners and as providers of services intended to lead, guide, comfort, support and protect.  

Who can women turn to?  Who can women trust?  We are all are accountable to unite to end violence against women.  The right to live a life free from violence is a right that all women must demand a right that all men must accord them.

   Violence against women denies women their most basic rights and freedoms, including freedom of opinion, equality and justice before the law, to marry (or not) according to their own free will, to mobility, participation, to vote, to have access information and education, to work, to be employed.  

  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 in private life."

Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.

   Sexual violence is "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object."

The history of violence against women remains vague in scientific literature. This is in part because many kinds of violence against women (specifically rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence) are under-reported, often due to societal norms, taboos, stigma, and the sensitive nature of the subject.  It is widely recognized that even today, a lack of reliable and continuous data is an obstacle to forming a clear picture of violence against women. 

    Although the history of violence against women is difficult to track, it is clear that much of the violence was accepted, condoned and even legally sanctioned.         Examples include that Roman law gave men the right to chastise their wives, even to the point of death, and the burning of witches, which was condoned by both the church and the state (although this was not a practice exclusively against women). 

The history of violence against women is closely related to the historical view of women as property and a gender role of subservience. Explanations of patriarchy and an overall world system or status quo in which gender inequalities exist and are perpetuated are cited to explain the scope and history of violence against women.  The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) states, "violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men." 

According to the UN, "there is no region of the world, no country and no culture in which women's freedom from violence has been secured." Several forms of violence are more prevalent in certain parts of the world, often in developing countries. For example,

dowry violence and bride burning is associated with India , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , and Nepal .

Acid throwing is also associated with these countries, as well as in Southeast Asia , including

Cambodia . Honor killing is associated with the

Middle East and South Asia. Female genital mutilation is found mostly in Africa , and to a lesser extent in the Middle East and some other parts of Asia. Marriage by abduction is found in

Ethiopia, Central Asia and the Caucasus . Abuse related to payment of bride price (such as violence, trafficking and forced marriage) is linked to parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. 

Certain regions are no longer associated with a specific form of violence, but such violence was common until quite recently in those places; this is true of honor-based crimes in Southern/Mediterranean Europe. For instance, in Italy, before 1981, the Criminal Code provided for mitigating circumstances in case of a killing of a woman or her sexual partner for reasons related to honor, providing for a reduced sentence. 

Invoking culture to explain particular forms of violence against women risks appearing to legitimize them. There is also debate and controversy about the ways in which cultural traditions, local customs and social expectations, as well as various interpretations of religion, interact with abusive practices. 

Specifically, cultural justifications for certain violent acts against women are asserted by some states and social groups within many countries claiming to defend their traditions. These justifications are questionable precisely because the defenses are generally voiced by political leaders or traditional authorities, not by those actually affected. The need for sensitivity and respect of culture is an element that cannot be ignored either; thus, the need for application of rational thinking and wisdom in the formation and implementation of traditions and cultures. 

Forms of Violence against Females

• 'Violence within the family or domestic violence'

• 'Rape and sexual violence'

• 'Sexual harassment'

• 'Violence in institutional environments'

• 'Female genital mutilation'

• 'Forced marriages'

• 'Violence in conflict and post-conflict situations'

• 'Killings in the name of honour'

• 'Failure to respect freedom of choice with regard to reproduction'.

Health Consequences of Sexual Assault and Violence

The health consequences of sexual assault can be severe. In addition to the injuries that may be sustained as a result of physical abuse that may accompany the sexual assault, forced sexual contact can also result in genital injuries and gynecological complications, such as bleeding, infection, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, and urinary tract infections. Sexual violence an also put women at risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS; unwanted pregnancies may lead to an unsafe abortion or to injuries sustained during an abortion.

Victims of sexual assault can experience a wide range of psychological and emotional disorders, including shock, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or rape trauma syndrome, and other trauma-related mental health issues. Victims may also experience disturbed sleep, loss of self-esteem, sexual dysfunctions, and behavioral and eating disorders. Psychological and emotional trauma can also manifest itself in physical reactions such as stomachaches, headaches, and back problems. Sexual assault victims are more likely to attempt or to commit suicide. According to the World Health Organization, studies indicate that 33% of women with a history of sexual abuse and 15% of women with a history of physical abuse showed signs of a psychiatric disorder. Only 6% of women without a history of abuse show signs of psychiatric problems. 

Studies indicate that a high percentage of women who have been the victims of sexual assault suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or "rape trauma syndrome." Studies in France, New Zealand, and the United States indicate that the "chances that a woman will develop PTSD after being raped are between 50% and 95%." 

Rape trauma syndrome generally refers to the "cluster of emotional responses to the extreme stress experienced by the victim during the sexual assault." These responses can include feelings of hopelessness, loss of control, anger and guilt, as well as "phobias, depression, sexual difficulties, failure to resume previous social or sexual relationships, failure to return to work, substance abuse, suicidal ideation." Other symptoms of PTSD or rape trauma syndrome can include recurrent nightmares or intrusive memories (flashbacks) of the event, social withdrawal, anxiety and feelings of numbness. From Rape, Illustrated Health Encyclopedia. One study found that almost a third of all victims develop PTSD sometime during their lives. Another study "found that the psychological effects of being raped were comparable to the effects of being tortured or kidnapped."

In addition, women who have been the victims of sexual assaults may experience problems in relationships with intimate partners and friends. Women may be reluctant to trust others, and may withdraw from social situations. Victims of sexual assault may also experience sexual dysfunction; they may be "afraid of and try to avoid any sexual activity; they may experience an overall decrease in sexual interest and desire.

Preventive measures to be taken

       

   In order to prevent sexual violence, the following steps should be taken;

* Females should be thought defense methods or skills such as Judo, Karate, Taekwondo and the likes, so as to be able to defend themselves physically during the occurrence of Sexual assault.

* Females should also endeavor to dress properly and avoid exposing sensitive parts of the body, as they can attract unnecessary attention.

*Females, especially young ones should not be left alone with a male relative or baby-sitter no matter the circumstances.

* Finally, females should be enlightened and given adequate education on SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE.

  CONCLUSION

   Just as the males, females should be given an opportunity to exercise their right to freedom of speech and fair-hearing , because when this is done, they will not be scared or afraid of reporting a case of sexual abuse meted out to them.

  Having said this, we should say “NO TO DISCRIMINATION AND STIGMATIZATION” of FEMALES (who due to circumstances, illiteracy or unexplainable reasons ) who have been victims of sexual abuse or violence. 

            

     Thank you……