Presentation on Gender Based Violence and Some Sucess stories of women

1. Gender-based violence
Dr.K.Saileela
Assistant Professor
Annamalai University
(on Deputation)
Government College of Education
Pudukkotai
9442762305
drksaileela@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/saileelak/home
Dr.K.Saileela, Assistant Professor,
Annamalai University, 9442762305

2. Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence (GBV)
knows no boundaries of
geography, culture, or socio-
economic status. From
physical and sexual violence
to psychological and
economic abuse, GBV takes
various forms, leaving long-
lasting scars on its victims and
communities.

3. Legislation and Policy Reform
Governments should enact
and enforce laws that
criminalize all forms of
gender-based violence.
These laws should be
comprehensive and cover
domestic violence,
sexual assault,
harassment,
and other forms of violence
against women and
marginalized genders.

4. Access to Justice
.
Ensuring that survivors have access to justice is crucial.
This includes establishing specialized courts,
providing legal aid services, and training law
enforcement officials and judiciary personnel to
handle cases sensitively and effectively.

5. Awareness and Education
.
Education plays a crucial role in preventing gender-based
violence. Comprehensive sexuality education programs in
schools can teach young people about consent, healthy
relationships, gender equality, and respect for others.

6. Community Engagement
Engaging communities in awareness-raising initiatives can
help challenge harmful social norms and attitudes that
perpetuate gender-based violence. Community leaders,
religious institutions, and civil society organizations can
play pivotal roles in promoting gender equality and
preventing violence.

7. Empowering Women and Girls
Empowering women and girls economically, socially, and
politically can help reduce their vulnerability to violence.
This includes promoting women's economic opportunities,
ensuring girls' access to education, and supporting
women's leadership in decision-making processes.

8. Engaging Men and Boys
Men and boys must be engaged as allies in the fight against
gender-based violence. Programs that promote healthy
masculinity, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, and
encourage men and boys to speak out against violence
are essential.

9. Workplace Policies
Employers should implement workplace policies that
address sexual harassment and support survivors. This
includes providing training for employees, establishing
reporting mechanisms, and holding perpetrators
accountable.

10. Technology and Innovation
Leveraging technology can enhance prevention, response,
and support efforts. This includes developing apps and
hotlines for reporting violence, using social media for
awareness campaigns, and employing data analytics to
identify trends and gaps in services.

11. International Cooperation
Gender-based violence is a global issue that requires
international cooperation and solidarity. Countries
should work together to share best practices,
strengthen legal frameworks, and support initiatives
aimed at ending violence against women and
marginalized genders.

12. United States
In the United States, GBV remains a significant challenge
despite advancements in women's rights and gender equality.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), nearly one in four women and one in nine men
experience severe intimate partner physical violence,
intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate
partner stalking. The #MeToo movement has shed light on
the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in various
industries, prompting discussions and reforms aimed at
addressing systemic issues.

13. United States
One prominent case that drew widespread attention was
the sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh
during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings in
2018. The testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford sparked
national debate and highlighted the pervasive culture of
silence and victim-blaming surrounding sexual violence
in American society.

14. India
India grapples with high rates of GBV, including sexual
violence, domestic abuse, and dowry-related crimes. The
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported over
400,000 cases of crimes against women in 2019, although the
actual figures are believed to be much higher due to
underreporting and social stigma. The brutal gang rape and
murder of a young woman in Delhi in 2012 sparked
nationwide protests and led to legal reforms, but challenges
persist in changing societal attitudes and ensuring justice for
survivors.

15. India
India continues to grapple with high rates of GBV, including
sexual assault, domestic violence, and dowry-related
crimes. The gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on
a bus in Delhi in 2012 sent shockwaves across the nation and
triggered mass protests demanding justice and systemic
reforms. Despite legislative efforts and increased
awareness, incidents of sexual violence against women and
girls persist, highlighting the need for sustained action to
address deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes and
practices.

16. South Africa
South Africa has one of the highest rates of GBV in the
world, with pervasive levels of intimate partner
violence, sexual assault, and femicide. According to
Statistics South Africa, over 50,000 sexual offenses
were reported in 2019/2020, though the actual
prevalence is likely much higher. The country has
witnessed mass demonstrations and calls for action,
prompting the government to declare GBV a national
crisis and implement measures to strengthen law
enforcement and support services for survivors.

17. South Africa faces alarmingly high levels of GBV, with women
and girls disproportionately affected by intimate partner
violence, sexual assault, and femicide. The brutal killing of
Karabo Mokoena by her boyfriend in 2017 shed light on the
epidemic of gender-based violence in the country and
prompted calls for urgent interventions to protect women
and hold perpetrators accountable. Despite widespread
outrage and activism, challenges remain in addressing systemic
inequalities and ensuring access to justice for survivors.

18. Sweden
Sweden is often praised for its progressive gender equality
policies, yet it too faces challenges in combating GBV.
Despite extensive social welfare systems and gender-aware
legislation, Swedish authorities acknowledge persistent levels
of domestic violence and sexual assault. The #MeToo
movement also gained momentum in Sweden, prompting
discussions about power dynamics and sexism in various
sectors of society.

19. Brazil
Brazil faces significant challenges related to GBV,
including high rates of domestic violence and
femicide. In 2018, the murder of Marielle Franco, a
prominent human rights activist and city
councilwoman, shocked the nation and drew
attention to the widespread violence against
women and marginalized communities. Franco's
outspoken advocacy for human rights and social
justice made her a target, highlighting the dangers
faced by activists who challenge entrenched power
structures and inequalities.

20. Brazil
A rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party, Franco
was an outspoken critic of police killings of poor Rio
residents. Investigators believe her killing to be a political
assassination carried out by paid hit men. The assassination
of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes was a crime
which took place on March 14, 2018, in Estácio, the
central region of the city. The criminals were in a car that
pulled up alongside the Rio de Janeiro councilwoman's car
and fired several shots, which also killed the driver.
Advocated for gender equality and
opposed violence against women.

21. Pakistan
Pakistan grapples with pervasive levels of GBV, including
honor killings, acid attacks, and domestic abuse. In 2020, the
case of Khadija Siddiqi, a law student who survived a brutal
stabbing attack(2016) by her classmate and former friend,
sparked national outrage and renewed calls for justice and lega
reforms. Siddiqi's courage in speaking out against her
attacker shed light on the prevalence of violence against
women and the need for stronger protections and support
systems for survivors.

22. Mexico
Ingrid Escamilla Vargas was a 25-year-old woman who
was murdered by her boyfriend, Erik Francisco, in Mexico City
on February 9, 2020. The brutal murder and mutilation of Ingrid
sparked outrage and calls for a change in Mexico's law.
Femicide, the gender-based killing of women, is on the rise
in Mexico.

23. Mexico
Ingrid Escamilla was a 25-year-old woman who was
murdered by her partner in their Mexico City apartment on
February 9, 2020. The killing occurred after an argument
where Robledo Rosas became violent after being
questioned about drinking alcohol. Leaked photos and
videos show a bloodied man admitting to stabbing Escamilla,
skinning her, and disposing of her body parts in a sewer
drain.

24. Afghanistan
Afghanistan faces entrenched gender inequalities and widespread violence
against women and girls, including forced marriages, honor killings, and
domestic abuse. In 2020, the brutal killing of Farkhunda Malikzada, a
27-year-old woman falsely accused of burning the Quran, shocked the
nation and prompted calls for justice and accountability. Malikzada's
murder highlighted the dangers faced by women who challenge
traditional norms and underscored the urgent need for legal and
societal reforms to protect women's rights and ensure justice for
survivors.

25. Nigeria
Nigeria confronts significant challenges related to GBV, including
sexual violence, child marriage, and trafficking. In 2014, the
abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by the militant group Boko Haram
in Chibok sparked international outrage and drew attention to the
plight of women and girls in conflict-affected areas. Despite efforts to
rescue the abducted girls and combat extremism, many remain missing,
and survivors continue to face physical and psychological trauma,
highlighting the long-term impacts of GBV on individuals and
communities.

26. Main contributing factors
Harmful gender stereotypes and patriarchal cultures: These
cultures view men as superior and dominant, and women as
submissive. This creates an environment where violence against
women is seen as acceptable, or even justified, as a way to
control them [Council of Europe].

27. Main contributing factors
Economic factors: Poverty and lack of resources can make
some people more vulnerable to violence, especially women
who may depend on an abusive partner economically [Concern
Worldwide].

28. Main contributing factors
Weak legal systems: If laws don't protect victims or adequately
punish perpetrators, it creates a climate of impunity where
people feel they can get away with violence [Drishti IAS].

29. Main contributing factors
Social norms around violence:
When violence is seen as an acceptable way to deal with
conflict, it becomes normalized. People are more likely to use
violence to get what they want or resolve problems because it
seems like a legitimate option.

30. Malala Yousafzai
Malala survived an assassination attempt by the
Taliban in 2012 for her advocacy of girls' education
in Pakistan. Despite the attack, she continued her
activism and became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize
laureate for her advocacy of girls' rights to education.

31. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey, a survivor of
childhood abuse, overcame significant challenges to
become one of the most influential women in the
world. She built a media empire and used her
platform to advocate for issues such as education,
empowerment, and social justice.

32. Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke is the founder of the #MeToo
movement, which has sparked a global conversation
about sexual harassment and assault. As a survivor of
sexual violence herself, she has dedicated her life to
supporting survivors and fighting for social change.

33. Viola Davis
Viola Davis: Viola Davis, an Oscar-winning actress,
has spoken openly about her experiences with
poverty and violence growing up. Despite facing
numerous obstacles, she has become one of the most
respected and celebrated actresses in Hollywood.

34. Christine Blasey Ford
Christine Blasey Ford: Christine Blasey Ford gained
international attention when she testified against
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, alleging
that he had sexually assaulted her when they were
teenagers. Despite facing intense scrutiny and
criticism, she showed remarkable courage and
resilience.

35. Christine Blasey Ford
Kavanaugh was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States. Donald Trump: As the President of the
United States at the time, nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the
Supreme Court. Trump strongly supported Kavanaugh's nomination
and defended him against the allegations of sexual assault.
However, it's important to acknowledge that her decision to
come forward and testify about her experience was a significant
and brave act, regardless of the outcome of the process.