It has been thirty years since November 25th was first designated as a day to educate and inform about the very serious and widespread issue of violence against women, and twelve years since the United Nations General Assembly officially endorsed and promoted it as such. When we, as a global community, promote these days of interest, we bring light and information to causes that some people may not realize the weight or importance of. It is our hope that readers of this blog and TakingITGlobal members will share their knowledge, insights, and suggestions on the issues that speak to them.

Children’s rights and Women’s rights are two issues that have always spoken to me, because women and children’s rights are intranssient in all other causes. A woman is the strength of a family, and the strength of a nation. Inherently she is a teacher, a nurse, and a compassionate person. These qualities are in her nature. She nurtures the children of this world, who grow up to inherit the land and seas, the schools, banks, corporations, hospitals, and churches. It is, therefore, particularly disheartening to me to see violence against women as a persistent international problem.

The United Nations Statistics Division reports, “Rates of women experiencing physical violence at least once in their lifetime vary from several per cent to over 59 per cent depending on where they live.” Although domestic abuse is proven to be the most widespread type of gender-based violence reported, violence and abuse are also common in other forms, such as sexual (including female genital mutilation), psychological, and economic abuse. (UN STATS DIVISION). In most cases, abuses are not singular. They are reoccurring and often paired with different types of abuses.

In 2005, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) reported that domestic abuse is mostly tied with serious psychological, as well as verbal, abuses and a quarter of domestic violence victims are also subjected to sexual abuse. Due to cultural practices as well as the stigma related to these violent acts, oftentimes the violence remains unreported and women are afraid to seek help. The following graph from the World Health Organization illustrates this fact.



Other than the immediate and long-term results of violence against the victim herself, such as lingering psychological effects and mental trauma, irreversible damage of her reproductive organs which can increase the risks of miscarriage, and premature delivery of babies or even stillbirths, the consequences of such widespread violence is much more far-reaching in terms of global health concerns. Where sexual abuse is committed, the risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases being transmitted is exponentially high. This is especially true in cases of systemic violence where rape, beatings, and mutilation are used as weapons of war. Psychologically, children who witness abuse tend to become more accepting of violent practices and are at risk for perpetuating the behaviours towards their future spouses and children, or conversely, can grow up to be more likely to accept these behaviours from their spouses.

For such a grave and ubiquitous issue, solutions for relief and elimination of abusive acts are surprisingly easy to implement. I have personally delivered workshops to young girls in rural communities centering on topics such as health and sexual education, assertiveness training, community involvement to ensure a strong network of local support, and career guidance. The older girls in these rural areas pledged to continue to educate and inform their younger peers and to train them to do the same. The difficulty lies in changing cultural-social acceptance of abuse which is prevalent in many communities, and has been for generations. With this in mind, it is important to implement systems of change which are sustainable by creating fearless leaders out of young people, and educating them to give them the knowledge and confidence to move forward and succeed.

The increase in the number of banks as a result of globalization plays an extended role in improving living conditions for women and their families in developing nations. Women are generally financially weaker than men as they earn less, spend more on their families and therefore save less, and are more credit controlled than men. This is due to discrimination against women in the labour market. It is for these reasons that women are susceptible to economic abuse. When they are able to take advantage of career opportunities, they constantly prove themselves to be intelligent, resourceful, and most of all, keen and industrious. Microloans to women have been shown to facilitate improvements in communities. It has been proven that when women are able to have their own money, they are more likely to invest in the education of their children, buy more nutrition-rich foods, and invest back into their communities. Earning income increases a person’s self-worth. With the confidence, ability, and tools to sustain themselves, women are also more likely to start their own community-based projects to help other families. They are regularly key players in NGOs, public protests, as well as electoral referendums and other civilian strengthening and energizing developments which all hold more and more weight as democracy holds power. 

Once women’s needs are properly surveyed and attention is given to the major subjects we will see a change across many global issues – lower birth rates, fewer maternal and child deaths, improved health, nutrition, increased opportunities for education, a decrease in the spread of disease, the creation of strong and successful community organizations, and greater proletariat democratic involvement. Improvements will never be stifled because above all things, a woman is a teacher who will teach her children, and her children’s children what she knows, and plant her confidence to grow inside of them.

Recently we celebrated Global Dignity Day. Violence, abuse, and any kind of deliberate hindrance in the ongoing development in an individual strips that person of their dignity. To encumber the development of a woman is to impede the development of entire communities, nations, and the world itself. For this reason, it is imperative that we support women’s programs. Before coming to TIG, I volunteered at an immigrant women’s center in Toronto. The organization worked to alleviate the burdens of abused female immigrants who were naive to the processes of obtaining social/financial assistance from our municipal and provincial levels of government. In many cases, women do not know where to turn for support and are sometimes even unaware of their rights. Therefore it is extremely important for us to promote our projects, organizations, and the tools we have to offer by calling out to the voiceless members of our communities. I found it personally remarkable and inspiring to see such deep strength of character and spirit in these women despite the ordeals and burdens they battle daily, sometimes for years. I was touched by the kindness of these women and the blessings they showered on me in every meeting, with every communication. I am constantly baffled by the capability of people to inflict abuse on innocents. Witnessing forgiveness and boundless love radiate from these women renewed my faith that the work that we do as local and global activists does in fact touch people, and their courage and bravery touches us back, propelling us to do more, and better work.

I beseech all TIG members to support women’s projects, speak out against rape and domestic violence, to promote and facilitate the growth of women as equal citizens from a young age. Find projects in your local communities, sign international petitions, recognize the depth and effect of abuse on a human being. This issue exists in every town, city, country, and continent. The sheer scale of terror inflicted on women, and the everlasting effects on their families and communities demand that we inspire and implement change NOW.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is not just one day of promotion, but a chance to mark yet another year of encouraging peace and equality within our communities, and within our homes.

For further information, please visit the World Health Organization, United Nations Statistics Division, and the United Nations Population Fund.

Browse Human Rights/Gender Equality organizations here to get inspired and involved.
Search petitions here.
Search or start projects here.

But remember, it all starts with a COMMITMENT!



Peace, Love, Empathy.