Violence Against Women An Endangering Tragedy Across Continents – Global Issues
TORONTO, Nov 25 (IPS) – Despite 1,583 legal measures in 193 countries around the world, violence against women has not been eradicated or ended.
Every year on November 25, the world celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This year’s theme is UNiTE Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls! #No Excuse (Nov 25-Dec 10)—a 16-day activism initiative that ends on International Human Rights Day.
According to UN Women data, “an estimated 736 million women—about one in three—have experienced physical and/or intimate partner violence, non-sexual violence, or both at least once in their lifetime.”
IPS met with Amber Morley, a City Councilor in Toronto, where gender-based violence and intimate partner violence were declared epidemics last year. Morley finds that such articles are no longer allowed to be swept under the bed or kept in a closet.
“Whether it’s through willful ignorance or shame and stigma, historically we haven’t had the opportunity to have real conversations about the impact of this dangerous behavior. Now, we find ourselves at a time when we have a conversation and finally hold a space to listen to survivors and victims and build support structures in our community that allow people to face those challenges and intergenerational challenges.”
Universal Burden
It is a widespread affliction that does not discriminate against culture, race, language or place. You may have encountered a victim in your family, among your relatives, friends, co-workers, or strangers. Two-thirds (65%) of Canadians know a woman who has been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.
It is a hotly debated issue that exists not only in the Global South but also in the developed world.
“Unfortunately, I was someone who experienced intimate partner violence in my family. I know that’s true for both of my parents who had these conditions when they were growing up,” said Morley. “
In the past, this issue was not openly discussed, especially among the victims. Things have changed. “We have an opportunity, at least, to start to address the behavior and try to raise awareness in the wider community,” Morley said. “When you see people coming forward, it gives victims the confidence to heal and overcome instead of perpetuating these cycles.”
The Role of the Police and Distinctive Dynamics
First responders, including the police, play an important role in dealing with gender-based violence and domestic abuse with special training to support survivors of this type of violence. As a community leader and mayoral appointee to the Toronto Police Board, Morley understands this fact well.
“We have many different bodies, departments and agencies that work in support of our work and our goals. The Toronto Police are truly great partners with the City of Toronto when it comes to our safety policies. They have victim services, and they track the numbers of reports that come in through systematic mapping and analysis. “
Morley also notes that despite the alarming levels of reported intimate partner violence, much goes unreported. As he values the Canadian constitution, the principles of democracy, rights, and freedom, he considers these systems to be fragile, requiring “good leadership, accountability, and diverse perspectives to continue to evolve in a positive way and reflect and respond to the real needs of the people.”
“We’ve seen recently in the Canadian media that abusers, serial abusers in some cases, are finally getting their day in court years later. Victims are able to come forward. And there is room for support and belief. We are shifting to a better place in our institutions and our institutions and making people accountable. Moving away from this ‘boys will be boys’ mentality that I think has been really dangerous over the years.”
Awareness and School
Knowing and doing are two different things. However, spreading understanding to people at an early age can act as a deterrent against aggression and violence when mental health is not included.
Morley believes in “teaching our young boys and girls about what it is to be able to control your emotions and control ourselves as human beings when we are upset or angry. At least in my experience, seeing what it looks like when people don’t have the tools to manage themselves or work through challenging situations, that’s when violence escalates. How can we better focus on teaching children to be empowered, behave well, and hopefully, treat others that way? I think it really comes down to these basic things. “
Economic Loss Again
Many impacts have been extensively studied and researched regarding violence against women, including the economic damage.
Morley points out that Canadian employers, for example, lose USD 77.9 million annually due to the direct and indirect effects of domestic violence. Among the solutions, he proposes the first step is to have more protective spaces for victims of domestic violence and to remove the shame of disclosure and reporting. “That’s where we all have to focus our attention and bring employers and people into that conversation to determine how we can all play a part in a safe and supportive environment for victims.”
The choice of words can move the needle in the desired direction, influence the problem and reframe the angles of the solution. Morley invites us to rethink data as indicators of public health rather than indicators of crime.
“A healthy community is not just about the absence of crime, locking up bad people, but creating healthy environments for people to thrive and grow and live. We all have a role to play in that. For example, in our community, we have Women’s Habitat, which is an organization that serves people affected by intimate partner violence. They are part of a network of people who communicate in various organizations and support the city to help us move forward in a better way. “
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
