Eliminating Violence Against Women

Women visiting the Taj Mahal, March 2010

In 1994 the United Nations proclaimed November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It has galled me as I've grown older and become more wide-read, how much violence has been and continues to be perpetrated against women. I don't know if a day dedicated to the issue makes a difference or not, nor whether the declaration on the elimination of violence against women has been effective in accomplishing at least some change. I hope so.

I read the declaration in preparing to write this post, and was particularly impressed by (a) the forthrightness of the declaration, and (b) the readability of its language. If you're going to try to change the world, you've got to begin by making yourself clear.

In celebration of the day, then, I will paste bits and pieces of the declaration here, to remind us that it's worth making a statement together, as many nations, as to what is right and wrong and what must change among us. I am using my own photography to illustrate this post.

Masai women, Kenya 1999

"Affirming that violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and impairs or nullifies their enjoyment of those rights and freedoms, and concerned about the long-standing failure to protect and promote those rights and freedoms in the case of violence against women,

"Recognizing that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men,

"Concerned that some groups of women, such as women belonging to minority groups, indigenous women, refugee women, migrant women, women living in rural or remote communities, destitute women, women in institutions or in detention, female children, women with disabilities, elderly women and women in situations of armed conflict, are especially vulnerable to violence...."

Chinese woman in Shanghai house church receives her first Bible, June 2010

"For the purposes of this Declaration, the term 'violence against women' means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

 Native American girls dance at their mother's graduation, Missoula 2003 (Photo by Husband)

Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following:

• Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;

• Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;

• Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.

Polish girls, 1984

Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. These rights include, inter alia:

• The right to life

• The right to equality

• The right to liberty and security of person

• The right to equal protection under the law

• The right to be free from all forms of discrimination

• The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health

• The right to just and favourable conditions of work

• The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Tour guide, Turku Castle, Finland 2007

As I consider the above statements and list of rights, it amazes me that we have to state these things. Should they not be considered "self-evident truths?" I consider the list of violent offenses against women: rape, trafficking, psychological abuse, female genital mutilation, battery... and it just makes me angry.

Why? Why is this world so full of senseless violence against those who are seen as weaker? What is it that makes human beings such bullies, such abusers of power? And how, dear Lord, HOW can we make some headway against it all?

Yes, I do think a declaration was in order, back there in 1994.  It continues to be in order today, not just at international levels, but in our communities, in our homes, in our churches and various other places of worship. The word "eliminating" is a strong and idealistic one. But it's precisely what we need to strive for. Today I celebrate International Elimination of Violence Against Women. I'm celebrating by making a donation to the EndItNow campaign to end violence against women and girls, and I'm choosing to give that to make a difference in my own birth country of Thailand.

How about you?

Women lighting joss sticks, Hong Kong temple, 2002