This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Azerbaijan: According to the Azerbaijan National Survey on VAW, 24% of women aged 15 to 59 have experienced violence from a non-partner or an intimate partner. Since the age of 15, I've had a partner. Women and girls face not only increased violent threats but also have fewer options and resources available to them in order to flee abusive conditions and seek justice.
On the other hand, in Azerbaijan, feminist activists face pressure from authorities, persecution, and hatred from strangers as they stand up for countless women opposing domestic violence and femicide across the country. According to the gender activist Gulnara Mehdiyeva, “Femicide is a political issue because tackling the problem requires political will.” Moreover, according to lawyer Zibeyda Sadikova, the flawed implementation of government policies and gaps in legislation added to the problem. She says in an interview given to ‘Qantara.de’- "The government must fill such legal gaps, initiate an awareness-raising campaign, and ensure women's access to psychological and judicial assistance,"
“Being a woman in Azerbaijan is already difficult, but being a female journalist is even more alarming. The discrimination and violence faced by women working in the male-dominated field of journalism is at an extreme level. While women are subjected to many forms of discrimination, mobbing, violence, and harassment in the media, any kind of solidarity from male colleagues or any institutional support to women are very limited.” — Lamiya Guliyeva
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Afghanistan: Since the Taliban retook control of the country about a year ago, women in Afghanistan have been subjected to an onslaught of violence and human rights abuses, and the "scope, magnitude, and severity" of these violations are "increasing month by month," according to a new report by Amnesty International. "Survivors of gender-based violence against women and girls in Afghanistan have virtually been left behind. Their support system has been destroyed, and their safe havens have all but vanished, according to Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International.
Many female survivors had access to a national network of shelters and services, including free legal counsel, medical care, and psychiatric assistance, before the Taliban's takeover. The Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Human Rights Commission's province and national offices, as well as shelters, medical facilities, and police stations across the nation, all referred survivors to the system. Although the system was far from ideal, it provided services to thousands of women each year in Afghanistan, where, according to UNAMA, nine out of ten women experience some sort of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The experts also mentioned the heightened risk of trafficking for the purpose of a child or forced marriage, forced labor, and sexual exploitation of women and girls. In what Human Rights Commission is calling an effort to erase women, the Taliban is regulating and controlling the lives of women by severely limiting their fundamental rights to freedom, movement or expression.
“At these times when Afghan women are silenced by the Taliban regime, and their body and existence are politicised through religion, we all are responsible for being their voice. The voice of the vulnerable whose resistance is getting harder each day and hour.” — Soraya Afzali
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Armenia: According to the Femicide report published by Coalition to Stop Violence against women, in 2015, Armenian security services received 784 reports of domestic violence. This figure does not include those classed as "irreconcilable families" or those who were not reported at all. Each year, Coalition member groups get over 2,000 calls regarding domestic abuse incidents.
Femicides continue to be accepted, permitted, and justified in every country throughout the world. While femicide indicates a significant culture of violence against women in Armenia, there is yet to be a concerted effort in all areas of Armenian society to eradicate gender-based violence and enhance equality between men and women. Accurate information on femicide is critical for identifying its characteristics and devising reasonable, evidence-based responses to improving women's security and prosecuting perpetrators. Poor data quality and gaps in information systems are not only impediments to thoroughly investigating and responding to femicides but also to devising meaningful measures to avoid such fatalities and advocate for better legislation.
"Intelligent and skilful women should be encouraged and inspired to participate in decision-making processes both at local and at national levels through the formal tools and platforms granted by state laws." — Tatevik Azizyan
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
South Africa is a country with one of the highest rates of GBV. Despite efforts from governments and civil society, South Africa has lacked a comprehensive strategy to prevent femicide and violence against women.
A study of media coverage of femicide in South Africa in 2012/2013 discovered that media reports were not representative of femicide in the country: less than 20% of femicides were reported in the media, femicide was inaccurately constructed, with more coverage of certain victims (elderly and white victims), more reports of non-intimate partner femicide vs intimate partner femicide, and an over-emphasis of crime with higher newsworthiness (Brodie 2021). South Africa includes achieving gender equality and women empowerment as one of its important sustainable development goals to be fulfilled by 2023.
"In an effort to change harmful societal norms and practices, we can focus on prevention rather than response. We can change the narrative by implementing programs for social and behavioural change that target potential perpetrators rather than the victims." — Buyi Mathenjwa
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Colombia: The Colombian conflict of more than five decades has disproportionately affected women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Women have lived the war in their territories, in their lives and their bodies. Women and men have experienced the Colombian armed conflict in different ways. It cost men their existence, but for women survivors, the war marked their bodies, intimacy, social relations, health, moods, and desires to live and love. Despite this, they have been resilient and have preserved the commitment to take care of life, children and territories.
"Factors of inequality continue to be the perpetrators of gender-based violence in Latin America. The presence of patriarchy in society and culture reproduces discriminations that are accentuated in the intersectionality of gender and race.
After the war, the reconstruction of society can only be achieved with the collective voice of women in defence of life.
It is necessary for our society to understand that in women lies the strength of the community, the collective defence of life and the protection of our territories." — Tatiana Menjura
The Cameroonian Constitution guarantees women the right to life, moral and physical integrity, and humane treatment in all situations. In Cameroon, violence against women has increased in frequency, acceptance, and brutality. The escalation of Violence against women (VAW) in Cameroon before the COVID-19 epidemic can be attributed to rising militaristic and militarization attitudes, pervasive gender inequality, and economic upheaval. There have been several stories and accounts in the media over the course of just three months (May–July 2020) of women who have perished at the hands of their intimate partners, of armed forces, and of insurgents in the armed conflict (the Anglophone insurgency within the borders of Cameroon).
The VAW is destroying the rights of women and destroying Cameroonian society. Should women's lives and security have to wait until a national democratic consolidation before they are accepted or addressed seriously, especially while Cameroon appears to be experiencing a variety of political, economic, and social problems? Women who are victimized and are still being victimized deserve justice and to have their dignity recognized. It is important to remember and honor the women whose lives were taken by male family members, intimate partners, and other men. They go beyond mere statistics or numerical data. It is critical to avoid devaluing or ghettoizing women's concerns, experiences, and security.
"The sociopolitical crisis amplifies the societal inequality for women in Cameroon, resulting in an ever-increasing rate of GBV. However, GBV has been an existing reality prior to the crisis as most traditions and cultures have designed a barrier against women from excelling to greater heights, making them vulnerable and hence giving limited access to socioeconomic, political and cultural empowerment. GBV could be curbed by carrying out advocacy programs pushing local community leaders to change behaviour patterns. Gender mainstreaming involves community and leaders and the capacity building of women and youth groups." — Azhisey Winifred Atefor
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Pakistan:
In a Reuters poll, Pakistan was rated as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women and the fourth worst in terms of economic resources, discrimination, and the threats women face from cultural, religious, and traditional traditions. Only Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad reported 26,134 occurrences of violence against women, 19,271 cases of kidnapping women, 4,660 cases of rape, and 822 cases of domestic abuse in 2021. Even so, these numbers do not accurately reflect the situation because many women are reluctant to report violent crimes out of fear, a lack of opportunity, or the threat of being blackmailed.
UNFPA has recently observed that after the floods in 2022, where much of the country was inundated, several women were exposed to risks of Gender Based Violence as their rights and needs were overlooked in case of emergency. Additionally, social networks and systems that work to protect women and children were also disabled. In most communities, the topic of gender-based violence is delicate. This is especially true in Pakistan, where it is seldom ever brought up in conversation. Programs that deal with the issue do so covertly, but experts claim there is a significant gap in service delivery.
"Abusers are the providers for many in the case of Pakistan; the mobility of women and young girls is controlled by their abusers, and that's one of the reasons why the number given in official reports is under-quoted.
Women often don't realize that they have the right to stop the violence because of the cultural conditioning they go through and stay in generationally passed violence and trauma.
Gender equality is not a long-term goal that we can come back to in 20 years. Women and girls can't wait for equal pay, equitable healthcare, maternal care, education, and paid family leave- which is why gender equality is a priority now, not later." — Sonal Dhanani
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
USA: In the United States, femicide — the murdering of women on the basis of their gender — is frequently regarded as a problem afflicting low-income countries. This could hardly be further from the truth; the United States accounts for 70% of all femicide instances in high-income countries. To put that in context, the United States ranks 34th in the world for deliberate female homicides, with 2.6 kills per 100,000 women.
When discussing femicide and its repercussions, we must recognize the challenges and disadvantages that impact marginalized women and how these enhance the risk of violence. Though femicide is a pervasive problem for all women, the reality for women of colour is even bleaker and is not receiving the same media attention as other instances. Besides, the last few years were the deadliest for the transgender community. Trans women, as well as non-binary people, may be hesitant to come forward and report the abuse because of the rampant and structural transphobia.
"Domestic violence and intimate partner violence are the most common forms of GBV with 1 in four women reporting. The “me, too” movement continues to reverberate in the US with people fighting back against sexual assault, intimidation and workplace discrimination. Transgender and non-binary are four times more likely than cisgender to experience GBV, and sadly there are inadequate laws and education to support this community and develop preventative measures.
The US must work harder to educate young people about GBV and develop more aggressive laws to protect and defend all victims, including trans and non-binary, from sexual and physical assault." — Angela Miller McGraw
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes of GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located.
Tunisia: Violence against women in Tunisia is still prevalent. In their lifetime, at least 47% of women reported experiencing domestic violence, according to a Ministry of Women poll. Since the Covid-19 outbreak began, these numbers have only risen. According to the Ministry of Women, the number of cases of gender-based violence in 2020 alone increased seven times over the previous years. The recent killing of a Tunisian woman by her husband has caused a lot of anger amongst the women’s organizations in the country who took out a march in early November to protest the failures of the law to implement laws to safeguard women.
"Although Tunisia is considered to be at the forefront of women’s rights in the Arab world in terms of academic achievement, leadership positions and entrepreneurial initiatives, Tunisian women continue to face systemic discrimination and violence. Ultimately, it is not really an economic or legislative issue, but rather a "social" enforcement of the existing laws of which we are proud. From an early age, young women were indoctrinated into being, feeling and acting "less" than men in all areas of life, hence normalization with systemic and structural social violence. However, I feel that the wind of change will blow through the use of social media and the power of the hashtag. Many cases of sexual abuse, harassment and domestic violence are reported on Facebook and Instagram, promoting awareness of the need for change." — Ines Mokdadi
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes for GBV and femicide across 16 countries where our alumni are located. We invite you to participate in this campaign by sharing your take on GBV in your country and how it is being tackled.
Mexico: According to the data collected by SESNSP, Mexico, In recent years, the percentage of female homicides classified as femicides has gradually increased. More than a quarter of the 3750 deaths of women in Mexico in 2021 fell under the category of femicides.
In the 1990s, after more than 370 women and girls were killed in Ciudad Juárez, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, it became a global symbol of gender-based violence. The first iteration of the AVGM (Alert Mechanism for Gender Violence against Women) was adopted in 2007. The AVGM requires local authorities to investigate the situation and take action to end gender-based violence by allowing individuals to request the declaration of a "gender alert" in municipalities where violence against women is on the rise. 25 AVGMs have been declared as of October 2021 in 22 of Mexico's 32 states.
The instances of GBV and femicides have sparked major protest demonstrations in the last few years. Annual marches have been staged to observe International Women's Day on March 8. Tens of thousands of women have also taken part in statewide protests to voice their opposition to the epidemic of violence against women in Mexico.
"My heart aches for every disappeared and killed woman in my country and elsewhere. I pray and stand by all women seeking a future where we can live our lives as individuals who are respected, supported and are free from the fear of violence." — Lorena Mier Y Teran
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. Our campaign focuses on the most prominent causes for GBV and femicide across 16 countries. We invite you to participate in this campaign by sharing your take on GBV in your country and how it is being tackled.
Egypt: Violence against women in Egypt can be described along these broad categories, domestic violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), and structural inaccessibility, such as illiteracy depriving women of equal participation. In addition, women are constantly subjected to violence in the form of sexual harassment and abuse. According to CAPMAS (Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics) in Egypt, 31% of married women were subjected to physical or psychological violence by their spouses.
Activists say it is hard to measure the extent of gender-based violence in Egypt, where cultural practices have often prevented women from coming forward. Most cases are believed to go unreported. It is reported that 14% of Egyptian women are breadwinners of the family. Many of them face problems like no formal employment experience or are forced to do menial work with poorly paying jobs and no insurance or pension. Efforts to help women tackle these problems will raise general awareness of the issues women are facing.
"Gender-based violence exists everywhere, and all countries are affected by that. The existence of new policies and legislations are crucial to combat violence against women. Lots of women in Egypt are exposed to domestic violence due to a lack of self-worth, awareness and consciousness of their rights. In many cases in Egypt, the reason for violence against women is due to ignorance and lack of education, e.g. FGM in rural areas. Egyptian Women should be courageous to break taboos of various wrong cultural practices. Women should stand by themselves by speaking up and exposing the harassers or those who practice violence against them. It's important, too, to consider their safety while exposing what they have been through. If women are empowered, development and flourishment will exist in society." — Eman Sayed El Ahl
This year, IofC GAIN is participating in the 16 Days campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. In our campaign, we are focusing on the most prominent causes for GBV and femicide across the countries where our alumni are located.
India: Despite progressive laws in place, the patriarchal mindset deeply rooted in the society in India makes women an easy target of misogynistic killings. The killing of women due to forced abortions, female infanticide, dowry killings and honour killings are some of the most common forms of femicide in India. Besides these, other forms of physical and emotional violence toward women by known or unknown persons are also terrifyingly commonplace. According to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women for the Human Rights Council, critical factors behind gender-motivated killings in Asia are the high level of importance placed on women’s chastity and their subordination in the greater society. It is shocking to note that in most cases, the perpetrators of violence are close kin or intimate partners.
India’s response to this in the last few decades has focused on punitive measures and policy-level enactment however, femicide defines the unwavering patriarchal arrangement in Indian society. Some experts have noted that the response in most scenarios is political and legal in nature, but there is hardly any conversation about the actual suffering of women. Due to the said lack of an accessible discourse against gender-based violence, women, even from the most educated and urbane backgrounds, resort to repressing such instances until it is often too late.
"As is the case with much of the world, gender-based violence in India runs rampant. The sheer volume of it, unfortunately, normalises practices that aggravate GBV. Even in their reporting and the consumption of these reportages is marked by a banality. The consistent rise of intimate partner violence and domestic violence that lead to femicide goes unquestioned. Within the heteronormative patriarchal Indian society, gender violence is seen as a ‘closed-door routine’, and the institutional failures to bring about a structural change go unaddressed." — B. Shreya
