Women Issues, Statistics on Women Violence - Research Paper Example

Women Issues Abstract The focus of the paper is to highlight main issues that women goes through that may require counseling in the future. Women have gone through various issues in different parts of the world especially in the United States. As a result, the paper aims to expound on the issues and highlight the consequences it has for women and society. Specifically, the paper will address violence as a key thing that has faced women for a long period. Such focus will be on sexual abuse such as rape, lack of equal rights, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, violations based on sexual identity, gender bias and discriminatory practice, violence in custody, and work and home responsibilities. Moreover, the paper will highlight the current statistics of violence committed towards women. Additionally, the paper will address the impact of violence committed towards women. In addition, the paper will address ways of reducing violence towards women by the community and governments. In the end, the paper will entail a detailed conclusion based on issues reflected on the topic. Introduction Violence against women continues to be reported from various parts of the world. The number of women abused, forced into sex, and beaten has been common (Amnesty International, 2013). Consequently, women lives have been affected by either violence committed in the home and community set up. On the other hand, such form of violence may endanger the lives of those in close relationship with those abused in significant ways. However, violence against women might be said to be declining due to the rise of advocacy groups and women fight for their rights and recognition in the society (Amnesty International, 2013). On the other hand, some of violence committed towards women has a common foundation in the societies around the world. In most cases, violence against women is rooted in global culture of discrimination that considers women as a lesser being than men (Dale, 2005). As a result, women are denied equal rights as men in the society. Violence against women is more pronounced at home as compared to other places. However, other violence may take place at custody, community set up, and workplace. On the other hand, there are some factors that lead to increased violence against women. Such factors include race, ethnicity, sexual identity, social status, class, and age (Amnesty International, 2013). Domestic or intimate partner violence occurs when one person in a relationship harms another person (Office on Women’s Health, 2011). Such violence is either committed by a husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend (Office on Women’s Health, 2011). Statistics on women violence The statistics of violence against women in different parts of the world are alarming. The alarm is based on facts from the world health organization. Some of the main violence committed towards women includes intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women (World Health Organization (WHO), 2013). The two are among the leading public health issue and violation of human rights. Recent figure indicates that over 35% of women in the globe have experienced either form of violence over time (WHO, 2013). According to the World Health Organization, a partner based on relationship commits highest number of murders of women (WHO, 2013). Such forms of violence may lead to physical, mental, sexual, and other health problems. It has also been found that men against women mostly commit intimate partner and sexual violence (WHO, 2013). According to Office of Women Health “more than five million are abused by an intimate partner each year in United States” (2011, 1). Violence committed to women Violence against incarcerated women Prison facilities may act as a safe avenue in which women are subjected to violence. Sometimes, this form of violence may occur as women rely on prison guards for help and other form of basic assistance (Amnesty International, 2013). The reason why this may be prominent is that women in prison are concealed from the public eye. Consequently, there is less likely for action to be undertaken when imprisonment is compounded with that of rape, and sexual assault (Amnesty International, 2013). For example, women may be forced to engage is sex for “good” treatment such as personal goods or avoid assault and punishment by prison authorities (Amnesty International, 2013). The problem may be plummeted due to lack of medical and psychological care to inmates. Moreover, action is less likely to be taken over those that perpetrate those kinds of crimes in prison. For example, only a few prison employees have been disciplined due to sexual misconduct in the federal systems (Amnesty International, 2013). Domestic Violence There has been increasing cases of violence taking place in the domestic setup. Moreover, the problem continues to take place in different parts of the world. Domestic violence violates various woman rights (Amnesty International, 2013). There is much domestic violence committed towards women. The violence includes physical abuse such as hitting, biting or throwing things, emotional abuse like yelling and threat to cause substantial harm, and sexual abuse (Office on Women’s Health, 2011). Moreover, the threat posed to women may lead to separation and even worse lead to emotional breakdown (Dale, 2005). Workplace Violence Women are also subjected to violence at their place of work (Dale, 2005). Violence at the workplace may take different forms and this makes women vulnerable. Some of violence may include sexual harassment, abuse, physical contact, and stalking by other employees and seniors (Dale, 2005). For example, women may be forced to engage in unwanted sex from their male counterparts for the sake of getting a promotion in the workplace. Moreover, seniors in the workplace may subject women to abuse in their workplace once they fail to comply with demands. In fact, sexual harassment presents a significant barrier to women access and equitable treatment and opportunities in the labor market (International Labor Organization (ILO), 2013). For example, statistics shows that violence towards women at their workplace is high in European Union countries (ILO, 2013). Rights Violation based on perceived sexual identity On the other hand, women are subjected to various forms of rights violation. The violations occur as men and laws perceive women as a weaker being that need to be controlled. For example, in some countries of the world, women do not have citizen rights (Torregrosa, 2012). Others are not allowed have ownership to property especially land (Torregrosa, 2012). Moreover, there are some streets in the world where women are not allowed to walk alone in the streets (Torregrosa, 2012). The restrictions are a clear indication of denial of women to have access to basic human rights. In some countries, the scenario is worse as some women are thrown acid in the face due to lack of accepting relationship while others are killed due to failure to give birth to desired child by man (Torregrosa, 2012). According to Torregrosa, 2012, women and girls are most common to be trafficked for sex and labor slavery. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) FGM is another form of violence committed towards women. The procedure cause alteration of the external female reproductive parts, and may lead to severe damage on women genitalia (WHO, 2014). The procedure is not of the essence to women, as it has no health benefits. In fact, the procedure mostly leads to complications such as severe bleeding, urination problems, infections, infertility and complication during childbirth (WHO, 2014). The procedure has been most prominent in Africa (WHO, 2014). According to World Health Organization, “over 125 million girls and women have faced FGM in 29 countries, in Africa and Middle East” (2014, 1). As a result, the procedure acts as a violation of women rights and leads to serious psychological effects in women (WHO, 2014). Effects of violence Violence affects women in various ways. Some of the effects are short term while others are long term. Women subjected to domestic violence suffer physical and mental problems (Abrahams, 2007). Battering has been shown to be a leading cause of injury to (Clark County, n.d.). Moreover, the injuries sustained by women may cause complications later in life as they age. Some of the complications may be arthritis, hypertension and heart diseases. The complications have been shown to be related to domestic violence battered women face in their early adult lives (Clark County, n.d.). In additional, battered women are likely to lose their jobs. The loss may occur due to frequent absenteeism based on the injuries sustained. Moreover, women may not be able to perform their duties effectively due to emotional breakdown (Abrahams, 2007). Moreover, absenteeism may occur due to frequent court appearances based on most cases of domestic violence being resolved in courts (Clark County, n.d.). Moreover, some of the battered women may be forced to move away from home. As a result, this may make them move to places away from their place of work and hence making them loose job. Additionally, violence leads to emotional breakdown among women. The effect occurs due to the enormous impact abuse have on women thinking and interaction with the world around them. Mental effect may occur as the mind attempts to process trauma or protect the body (Abrahams, 2007). Most of the effects arise from domestic violence (Abrahams, 2007). Such form of violence leads to effect on ones thought, feeling and behavior (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). As a result, mental stability is severely affected, and this may worsen leading to increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms to survivors of domestic violence (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). Moreover, violence against women leads to financial breakdown. Financial problems occur as women goes through a rigorous process of divorce with their abusive partners (Clark County, n.d.). Moreover, women subjected incur enormous financial burden as they go through hospitals seeking physical and emotional treatment (Abrahams, 2007). The cost may also be incurred as they seek counseling from various professionals. In United States, in 1995, the cost of intimate partner violence was over five billion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Conclusion Women go through various forms of violence that requires them to seek counseling. The major forms of violence appear to be originating from domestic set up and work place. Moreover, violence has contributed significantly to psychological and emotional abuse to women. Moreover, most of the women have been subjected to massive financial crisis as well as a threat to their health. Various governments can best address the problems women face in the society. However, society and professionals such as counselors can also help minimize some of the challenges and effects. Therefore, there needs to be immediate intervention to stop furthering of violence towards women. References Abrahams, H. (2007). Supporting Women after Domestic Violence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Amnesty International. (2013). Violence Against Women Information. Retrieved from http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/issues/women-s-rights/violence-against-women/violence-against-women-information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Intimate Partner Violence: Consequences. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/consequences.html Clark County. (n.d.). Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/effects.htm Dale, C. (2005). Sexual Harassment and Violence against Women. New York: Nova Publishers. International Labor Organization. (2013). Stop violence against women at work. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/who-we-are/ilo-director-general/statements-and-speeches/WCMS_206138/lang--en/index.htm Joyful Heart Foundation. (2014). Effects of Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://joyfulheartfoundation.org/learn/domestic-violence/effects-domestic-violence Office on Women’s Health. (2011). Violence against Women. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/types-of-violence/domestic-intimate-partner-violence.html Torregrosa, L. (2012). Evaluating Challenges Women Face. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/us/07iht-letter07.html World Health Organization. (2013). Violence against women. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ World Health Organization. (2014). Female genital mutilation. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ Read More