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One in three women worldwide has experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organisation, making it a universal and critical human rights issue. Unlike other forms of violence, Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) stems from patriarchal norms, gender inequality and unequal power relationships between men and women.
Women face violence in both the public sphere (social space) and the private sphere (domestic space) in various forms such as physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Such acts of violence affect women’s daily lives and hamper their growth and aspirations.
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.”
The Mirabal Sisters
To raise awareness against VAWG, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1999. This date was chosen to honour the Mirabal Sisters of the Dominican Republic, who became the symbol of resistance against tyranny and violence.
In the 1950s, the three sisters, Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal (also known as Las Mariposas or the Butterflies), stood up to the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. On 25 November 1960, the sisters were assassinated on Trujillo’s order. Their assassination galvanised movements for justice and human rights across the continents.
During the 1980s, several feminist movements started observing this day to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which culminates in Human Rights Day on 10 December. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about rising violence against women and girls and demand accountability and action from governments and policymakers worldwide.
The courage of Mirabal Sisters remains a powerful reminder of the need for a collective stand against violence and oppression and reiterates the urgency of creating a world where women and girls can live free from fear and harm.
Forms of violence against women
VAWG is a pressing issue and manifests in various forms – physical harm, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse as well as technology-related violence. In patriarchal societies, violence against women is an expression of unequal power relationships between men and women across public and private spheres.
Therefore, understanding the diverse forms of violence and the deep-seated reasons behind them is crucial to have effective responses.
Intimate partner and domestic violence: One of the most common forms of violence against women and girls, which includes behaviours by a current or former intimate partner (most commonly a husband) or family members, and causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm. Acts such as physical aggression, coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviours fall under this category.
In 2023, every 10 minutes, a woman was killed or harmed intentionally by a family member or partner, according to the United Nations. This form of violence is often referred to as femicide that involves the intentional killing of women and girls by intimate partners or family members. Honour killing (when women are murdered by relatives to “restore” perceived family honour) is an example of it. Many such deaths occur after prolonged abuse, including harassment and domestic violence.
Sexual violence: It is an unwanted sexual act imposed on someone without their consent. Women and girls are disproportionate targets of sexual violence, which includes rape, sexual harassment, online sexual abuse and non-contact sexual abuse, trafficking, and forced prostitution. Sexual violence is often used as a tool of control and subordination of women in both private and public spheres, especially during conflicts, riots, and public unrest. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau reported over 31,000 cases of rape in 2022, averaging nearly 87 cases daily.
Psychological abuse: A form of abuse also known as emotional abuse, mental abuse and psychological violence, which includes intimidation through looks, gestures or shouting, humiliation, obscene and derogatory comments, and public ridicule. Furthermore, emotional violence is often accompanied by controlling or dominating behaviors. Financial control, which usually occurs through the denial of women’s right to spend money, including their earned money, as per their need or desire is an example of it.
Psychological violence also includes harmful social and cultural practices that violate women’s rights and endanger their health and dignity. Examples include female genital mutilation, witch-branding, child marriage, forced marriage, honour-based violence, and widowhood rituals. Practices like isolating menstruating women and female infanticide are also examples of psychological abuse, primarily in South Asian countries.
Technology-facilitated violence: Although technological innovations have changed our lives, they have also been misused against women in what is called technology-facilitated violence against women. It includes online defaming, harassment, stalking, cyberbullying, morphed and deepfake videos, and doxing (releasing private information of a woman publicly). Women in public roles — activists, journalists, and politicians — are particularly vulnerable to such forms of abuse, underlining the urgency to put stronger digital safety measures in place.
Analysis of the impact
Notably, the consequences of violence against women and girls are not confined to individuals and affect society at large. Physical injuries and chronic health issues are some of the visible effects of violence against women, while psychological trauma remains less discussed and often leads to lasting impact on women’s lives. Survivors often get trapped in stressful conditions and gradually lose access to education, employment, and crucial social support connections.
According to feminist author Gerda Lerner, gender inequality often operates through unquestioned acceptance of male power or domination. This has led to the normalisation of abuse, often justified as part of prevalent cultural or societal norms, that discourages women from seeking medical or legal assistance.
The persistence of violence against women has serious consequences for women’s well-being – it can erode their confidence and compromise their health and abilities to fully participate in society. As noted by the UN Women, “Women cannot lend their labour or creative ideas fully if they are burdened with the physical and psychological scars of abuse.”
The economic effects of VAWG are also overwhelming. Women represent a significant portion of the global workforce but VAWG hampers their potential to participate in economic activities. The World Bank estimates that violence against women costs the global economy 2 per cent of GDP — approximately $1.5 trillion annually. In India, where women constitute only 25.1 per cent of the workforce, (according to the World Bank in 2022), violence is a major barrier to their economic empowerment.
Call for action
In India, some cases of violence have sparked outrage and led to reforms, yet violence against women remains pervasive. Therefore, efforts to eliminate VAWG must address its root causes: gender inequality, lack of education, and inadequate legal frameworks.
In other words, addressing VAWG requires a systemic change that stems from a comprehensive understanding of its interconnectedness forms, root causes, and the present system that extends them. Effective interventions that include efforts to dismantle harmful practices and gender-based norms are needed to break this cycle of violence.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as a reminder of the collective effort needed from governments, civil society, and individuals to end the violence against women and girls. Through education, survivor empowerment, and accountability measures, we can envision a future where women and girls live free from violence. Achieving this goal is not just a moral imperative — it is essential for building a just and equitable society.
Post Read Questions
What are the main forms of violence faced by women in both public and private spheres?
In what ways does physical, sexual, and psychological abuse impact the daily lives and aspirations of women?
What are the societal consequences of violence against women in terms of development and social equity?
How can societal attitudes and norms contribute to the perpetuation of violence against women?
What structural changes are needed to create a safe and supportive environment for women in both public and private spheres?
(Soumya Saxena is working as Gender Lead with ActionAid Association.)
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