Gender Policy Review - Essay Example

? Gender Policy Review Introduction Violence against women occurring both within and outside the family setting has over the years become a central issue. This reality has necessitated the creation of bodies such as UN Women directed at responding to such issues. Every human development and human rights issues possess a gender dimension. UN Women mainly supports international political negotiations geared at formulating globally acceptable standards for gender equality and promotion of human rights and human development. Violence against women and girls is a prevalent and systematic infringement of elementary human rights and a pervasive form of gender-based discrimination (United Nations 2006, p.7). Statistics indicate that one in every three women has suffered the wrath of violence; physically, sexually, or some other way- most prevalently by someone she knows, inclusive of the intimate partner or another male family member. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) takes diverse forms and comprises of such acts as physical, psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse. Every day, worldwide, women confront gender-based discrimination including acts such as genital mutilation, forced prostitution, sexual slavery, and domestic violence. The analysis of oppression of women demands analysis of conditioning and socialization of individuals as the nature of economic and social utilization influences the phenomenon of violence against women (Heise 1994, p.8). In fact, women with disabilities remain predisposed to experience violence compared to other women and girls. Violence against women is degrading, humiliating, and belittling. Violence against women mainly provokes fear and insecurity, especially among the subjects and curtails women from leading independent lives (United Nations 2006, 28). Violence against women also increases their vulnerability and dependence. Violence against women curtails their potential and stifles their energies due to their in the ability to engage fully in the activities of family, community, and society at large. Discussion Living a life free of violence is a fundamental human right, yet majority of women and girls suffer unreasonably from violence at times of peace and war, in the hands of the community, home, or the state. It is frequently argued that state and civil society institutions must recognize and accept responsibility for female subordination and desist from encouraging acts of violence against women. While the certain forms of violence against women (such as rape) can be regarded as widespread, other forms of abuse against women are specific to certain regions or countries (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.280). Thus, policy makers must understand the processes that propel women violence if those policies were to be effective. One of the historical power relations blamed for propagating violence against women encompass economic and social forces that propel exploitation of female labour and the female body. Economically disadvantaged women are highly susceptible to sexual harassment, trafficking, and sexual slavery. Furthermore, the denial of women economic power and economic independence is a significant cause of violence against women and lengthens their vulnerability and dependence. Within the family institution, historical power relations often play out (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.284). The family is a critical source of positive fostering and caring of values, and also plays out as a social institution where labour is exploited, and male sexual power is aggressively expressed. The family also sums up as a place where socialization that frequently disempowers women frequently features. In certain cases, familial expectations may camouflage or yield negative images of self that constrain the ability of women to realize their full potential (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.286). Gender- based violence can be regarded as flowing from the failure of governments and society to honour and protect the human rights of women; thus, policy makers should be at the forefront in tackling violence against women. The direct and consequential engagement of civil society plus other parties in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of actions and strategies is essential (Leicht and Jenkins 2010, p.288). There is a need to take action to minimize the risk to women and girls who are victims to the violence and guarantee that the perpetrators of the violence face justice. The strategies directed at ending violence against women can be categorized into two; the first category includes initiatives directed at enhancing responses after violence has occurred such as offering professional support and recourse for individual victims or survivors of the violence (curative strategies). The second category encompasses strategies responding to the long-term prevention of gender-based violence by spotlighting its structural causes such as social norms, awareness, and conduct related to interactions between men and women (preventive strategies). It is essential to establish support groups that act as safe havens for victims of violence against women (True 2012, p.100). Direct support and recourse for individuals who have suffered violence should be availed by governments (or private entities) in sufficient quantity and quality. There is a need to support women and girls by building assets, broadening women’s rights to land, promoting leadership at every level whether local, national, or international, enhancing literacy by equipping women with education and skills, enlightening women on their rights, and empowering them to organize and create change (Weldon 2002, p.195). Despite government efforts to avail such services, considerable shortcomings exist much of which are filled by NGOs that avail shelter to victims of violence, as well as legal, social, and psychological counselling. Support groups are engaged in a broad range of violence prevention efforts (outreach work) such as human rights and legal education workshops, and providing education awareness programmes (Weldon 2002, p.197). Regardless of whether the services are availed by the state or the civil society, it is a basic human rights requirement that the dignity, independence, and self-determination of the victims. Strategies to prevent and counter violence against women cannot succeed without a sound a supportive legislative and policy framework (UN WOMEN 2012, p.17). In contemporary society, state inaction in situations of VAWG forms one of the motivations that the violence still thrives today. The state can be regarded as an arena of conflict whereby, on one hand, it acts in line with the established Legislations and practices that work against women interest. On the other hand, the state emerges as a significant instrument in the quest to transform certain legislative, administrative, and judicial practices that empower women. The state’s active intervention in many cases functions as critical catalysts for transforming power relations within the society. States have an obligation to thwart, protect against, and reprimand violence against women, whether orchestrated by public or private actors (UN WOMEN 2012, p.18). There should be building political will as well as legal and institutional capacity so as to avert and respond to VAWG. The implementation of VAWG policies and action plans should be accompanied by reforming security and justice systems, collecting data on VAWG, funding advocacy work undertaken by women organizations, and supporting national and international networks engaged in lobbying for change (United Nations 2006, p.91). Governments should take up diverse measures and institute a national plan of action for confronting violence against women. The national plans should identify and address the broad range, and intersecting forms of violence against women and identify that women’s experiences of violence is profiled by dynamics such as race, politics, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation (Cook 1994, p.12). Any tangible and sustainable enhancements demand a suitable legal framework and the establishment of policies on violence prevention across diverse sectors, supported by training and awareness raising initiatives at both local and national level. Using mainstream and alternative media to create public awareness on violence is a promising approach to preventing and countering violence against women. The employment of education entertainment such as radio, film, or theatre productions can also enhance efforts towards preventing violence against women and raising awareness on “honour” based violence and guarantee that victims know their rights and support available to them. The campaign should be directed at key partners in areas such as the judiciary, the police force, social, and education sector (True 2012, p.98). Similarly, the campaign should be directed at non state institutions such as churches, the media, community organizations, and civil organizations such as women rights NGO’s (Weldon 2002, p.199). The government should run domestic abuse advertising campaigns that promote Zero Tolerance campaigns. The campaigns should be designed to overcome the barrier that challenging the problem is a women-only task, or the perception that violence against women is a detached and relatively insignificant issue that bears little community or national development consequence (True 2012, p.99). Studies indicate that such campaigns are mainly cost-effective and bear significant value-added outcomes. The campaigns should feature powerful, uncompromising messages accepted by the survivors and possess the capability to generate debate widely. In order to address the structural causes of violence, the prevention strategies should target schools and challenge common gender stereotypes and create “agents of change.” This strategy should pursue promoting a balanced relationship between the two sexes (men and women) as one of the barriers to preventing violence against women features the belief that violence is justified (United Nations 2006, p.98). In some societies, there is a destructive belief that women deserve physical and sexual abuse in some circumstances such as when a woman dresses inappropriately or talks too much. Hence, it is essential to make all sexes believe that violence is not the answer, and altering the attitude and behaviour of men is a significant step in prevention of violence. Children and young people should be given sufficient education and information regarding domestic violence and child abuse so as to exploit their own safety. Boys in schools should be made aware that being a “real man” does not necessarily mean being dominant or having violent behaviour (United Nations 2006, p.99). Girls, on the other hand, should be aided to develop self-confidence and a sense of autonomy. The mass media significantly play a central role in making this strategy successful. The media should desist from airing violent and pornographic movies hailing the humiliation of women and girls (Turshen and Holcomb 1993, p.95). The mass media should also refrain from broadcasting sexist reports on rape cases. The mass media should also carry out campaigns to stimulate debate that inform the society about the remarkable dimensions, and effects of violence against women. There is a need to avail comprehensive services such as creating and safeguarding women’s and girl’s only spaces, reinforcing social assets and safety nets, availing essential funding for women rights organizations to enable them deliver specialized and client-informed services, and organizing training for individuals dealing victims of violence. There should also be launching gender equality education, providing appropriate training programmes to perpetrators of violence and people who deal with victims, encouraging women to learn self-defence techniques, and creating specific gender units in police equipped with expertise on handling cases of VAWG (Pickup, Williams and Sweetman 2001, p.99). There is a need to ensure the local level deterrence and redress approaches are dynamic and successful. This is informed by the fact that traditions, norms, belief systems, and practices alive within societies are a significant barrier to women’s contact to justice and security from violence. Tackling the barriers apparent within communities is thus essential to success of interventions at other levels. Changing the social norms can be achieved through building capacity of media to report on violence against; supporting women rights organizations in their quest to deliver programmes and run campaigns; work with men and boys; engaging local leaders; availing education on gender and equality in school curricula; and encouraging leaders/ politicians to speak about VAWG (Pickup, Williams and Sweetman 2001, p.102). Conclusion Violence against women is indeed a global culture of discrimination that robs women equal rights with men and justifies the mistreatment of women for either individual gratification or political ends. Violence is predominantly a historical process and potentially manifest out of natural determinism (True 2012, p.96). However, male dominance over women mainly bears historical roots with its functions and manifestations altering over time. Violence against women emanates largely from discrimination, and serves to underline it on the grounds of ethnicity, race, social status, sexual identity, age, or class. This frustrates women choices and enhances their susceptibility to violence, besides slowing down the chances of women obtaining justice. Women require strong laws, reinforced by effective implementation, and services for protection and prevention (Cook 1994, p.10). In the context of power relations, women should tackle the control of knowledge systems held by men, whether in the arena of culture, language, science, or religion. This is informed by the fact that the knowledge systems compel women to be enduring victims of violence and also part of the discourse that justifies violence against women. References List Cook, R. (1994). Human rights of women: National and international perspectives, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press. Pp.10-12. Heise, L. (1994). Violence against women: The hidden health burden: World Bank Discussion Paper, Washington, World Bank. pp.8-10. Leicht, K. & Jenkins, C. (2010). Handbook of politics: State and society in global perspective, New York, Springer Science+ Business Media. pp.280-290. Pickup, F., Williams, S. & Sweetman, C. (2001). Ending violence against women: A challenge for development and humanitarian work, Dorset, Oxfam. True, J. (2012). The political economy of violence against women, Oxford, Oxford University Press. pp.96-100. Turshen, M. & Holcomb, B. (1993). Women’s lives and public policy: The international experience, Westport, Greenwood Press. pp.99-105. United Nations (2006). Ending violence against women: From words to action, New York, United Nations Publications. Pp.7-99. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) (2012). Handbook for National Action Plans on Violence against Women, New York, UN Women. pp.17-19. Weldon, L. (2002). Protest, policy, and the problem of violence against women: A cross-national comparison, Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh. pp.195-200. Read More