Violence against Women - Essay Example

? Violence against Women Act, Need for funding and Implications to overcome this issue Violence against Women One of the most common issues of today, amongst others, is violence against women. This subject matter will be kept under study in the following discussion. The paper will talk about the “Violence against Women Act”, the need for funding in this regard and how can we stop this problem from getting worse. Comprehending this issue is a very intricate process. It has been observed in several parts of the world, especially the Asian region and in backward areas, where literacy rate is close to zero. The major reason behind the initiation of this issue is the gender inequality and the suppressed position of women in society. Instead of giving them their rights, they are kept under scrutiny and are curbed up to a major extent. Their stance in the general public is considered negligible, let alone are they permitted to work for a living. Under-developed areas most commonly undergo Violence against Women. It has been going over for centuries, yet it remains unresolved. For women, who have enough courage to stand up for themselves are the ones who are able to defend themselves, and media supports them well enough too. However, there are many women who are silent sufferers and are compelled to stay quiet, in fear that they might be tortured more brutally if they let another word out. The main point of this issue is to come up with a plausible and viable elucidation for such women, i.e. the silent sufferers, who have been dealing with violence for ages and now their daughters are going through the same hostility, as to how it can be controlled and how to put an end to it for once and for all. Introduction: Investigations have revealed that Violence against women still prevails worldwide; it most commonly takes place in backward areas, where women are not given any preference except to look after the house and family. If these poor women try to act otherwise, they are harmed viciously, either physically, sexually or psychologically. They are not allowed to live in peace, while their men are at ease and resting calmly. Violence against women differs from culture to culture and from region to region. Since it involves ruthless social, psychological, physical as well as emotional consequences, it calls for significant attention and an even forceful call for action. This term has been defined as the extent of harassing and abusing a woman as well as an assortment of physical, sexual and psychological coercive acts used against women by current or former male intimate partners. Impact of VAW: Violence against women has a huge negative impact on the society, or anything/anyone within that vicinity. There are numerous risk factors associated with it (WHO, 2012) Deteriorating Health consequences, leading to depression Disastrous Impact on Children, again leading to depression and anxiety Social and economic costs, where women feel incapable and unable of working domestically as well as socially. In this era, things have changed up to a greater extent. Yet there are still many parts across the globe where women are considered as feeble. In many Asian regions, women are kept from working alongside men. And if due to constraint, they start earning, they are given a bad name in the society, deteriorating their reputation. Males consider it a prideful act to snub their wives and dominate them. They never let their women take charge of the house. Women, especially those who are forced to marry drug addicts, are the most to suffer. Every now and then we hear news regarding “man kills his wife” or “man burns his wife to death”, or “husband threw acid at wife”. These filthy acts not only satisfy such men, but it pleases them to have an upper hand over these innocent women, who cannot even stand up for themselves. Respect, if given to them, is regarded as a shameful act for a man. According to them, a man is considered weak and subservient, if he values his wife (Women’s Funding Network). Need for Funds: According to resources, U.S Trust Funds have been allocated to eradicate this issue. (Chakrabarti, 2012). About 350 activists have received these funds, in above 128 countries over the course of the UNTF’s (United Nations Trust Fund) 16-year history. The Fund received considerable support, for the very first time, from nations which lie in Latin America, Africa and the States Arab region, an authentication to basically address this prominent issue at hand, worldwide. About seven in ten women are victimized by physical or sexual violence in their lives. These funds have been raised to end this issue which has existed for over years. In some parts of the world, it is still not regarded as a misdeed and silent sufferers are threatened to not disclose a word or they will be beaten to death. Men have been using their authoritative power to rule over women, and to have an upper hand, which make their wives as well as daughters, weak and submissive. Executive Director of U.N Women, Bachelet states that, “The UN Trust Fund basically reveals how to avert hostility against women, to stop inferiority of women, and to provide support as well as services to survivors. I appeal to regime, businesses and organizations to endorse this fund raising agenda and provide full support in contributing to end Violence against Women/Girls” (Chakrabarti, 2012) VAW Act: Violence against women act was a United States Federal Law, which was formulated in 1994. It was signed by President Bill Clinton, on September 13, 1994. The Act has stipulations, which began by funding domestic-violence programs to novel civil rights, as well as provided remedies and solutions for women who have been victimized by gender-based attacks. This act has played a huge role in building courage and strength in women to stand up for themselves and raise their voice against violence, and not to suffer the pain silently. It even imposed mandatory as well as automatic reimbursement on the convicted ones, and permitted civil rectification in those cases where prosecutors wished to leave without being prosecuted (US Legal). VAWA has been considered as the most useful portion of regulation, ratified to stop violence against women, which includes Violence domestically, while dating, sexual attack and pestering (The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women, 2005). This act initiated several programs to cease and put an end to this issue. However, there were many critics who did not agree with this pact; Phyllis Schlafly, a conventional activist stated that, ‘this act promoted misogamy and break-ups between couples’. Another spokeswoman claimed that this philosophy creates guilt among men and considers all women as victims and innocent (appeal to pity). The rule was taken up for further authorization and authentication in Congress, in 2012. Suggestions: The Violence against Women Act 1994 was one of the major initiatives taken to prevent this issue. This act is the reason why women refrain from staying silent after being victimized. Violence against women has always been common, yet previously, there were not as many awareness programs as there are now, which is why strict course of action is being taken against those criminals who tend to make their wives/girlfriends suffer. I would suggest that more such programs as well as awareness campaigns should be initiated, in order to completely put an end to this hazardous problem. We do not feel the pain these women/young girls bear. Most of them are even compelled to commit suicide or they are brutally murdered after ill-use/ill-treatment. Penalties should be intensified, i-e; the criminal should be asked to pay alimony or other child support fee to the victim for as long as she wants. In case of murder or rape, the criminal/offender should be either sentenced to life time imprisonment or death by law. They should not be able to see daylight at any cost, because they deserve the worst. However, the act should be molded in such a way that does not offend happy dating/married couples or increase misogamy. Negative impact should not prevail due to the act. The sole purpose of this act is to create consciousness among women to not suffer in silence and protect themselves from such occurring. ("Preventing and ending violence against women") Women's funds were at the front position of uplifting alertness of domestic violence as an issue that had previously been unidentified. Today, women’s funds persist to be principals in developing suggestions and proposals, by altering society’s responses as well as survivors, to the issue. With more awareness programs and funds allocated for raising vigilance, more women will come forth and explain their experiences. They will be given shelter, monetary as well as moral support in order to help them move on with their lives and to ensure them that they are not alone. References Women’s Funding Network (n.d.). Preventing and ending violence against women. Retrieved from . Chakrabarti, Oisika. "UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women announces over US$8 million in grants." Violence against women. 2012. The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women, (2005). The violence against women act: 10 years of progress and moving forward. Retrieved from US Legal. (n.d.). Violence against women act (vawa) law & legal definition. Retrieved from http://definitions.uslegal.com/v/violence-against-women-act-vawa/ World Health Organization. (2012, Nov). Violence against women. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ Read More