“Nowhere in the world is a woman safe from violence. The strengthening of global commitment to counterpart this plague is a movement whose time has come.”
-Asha Rose Migiro
Sexism leading to gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue that affects individuals worldwide, transcending gender, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This problem takes numerous forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, coercive control, and harmful cultural practices, hindering the achievement of gender equality and endangering human rights. Nevertheless, the world is uniting to confront this challenge head-on and create a safer, fairer, and more inclusive global society.
Gender-based violence is deeply ingrained, as evident in staggering statistics that emphasize its urgency. These crimes are not only confined to a specific region, culture, or economic background but also permeate across borders, affecting individuals in both developed and developing nations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. The impact of gender crimes is far-reaching, affecting victims physically, mentally, and emotionally. Survivors often suffer from long-lasting physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and psychological trauma such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Beyond the immediate consequences, gender crimes inflict deep scars on the fabric of society, perpetuating a cycle of fear, silence, and inequality. Victims may be silenced due to cultural stigma, fear of backlash, lack of support networks, or weak judicial systems that fail to protect or provide justice.
It is crucial to acknowledge that men, as well as individuals identifying as non-binary or gender non-conforming, can also become victims of gender-based violence, highlighting the complex nature of this issue. Furthermore, as awareness surrounding gender identities and sexual orientations expands, it becomes evident that gender-based crimes extend beyond a binary understanding. Individuals belonging to the LGBTQ+ community also face an increased risk of victimization, often due to societal prejudice and discrimination.
Numerous international initiatives and agreements have been enacted to address gender-based violence worldwide. In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), providing a comprehensive framework to combat gender-based violence. The Convention calls for legal measures, awareness-raising campaigns, and support services for survivors as key strategies.
Governments and organizations globally are implementing national strategies and enacting legislative reforms to battle gender-based violence. Such efforts range from criminalizing violence against women to establishing specialized police units and helplines. For example, India’s landmark 2013 Criminal Amendment Act criminalized various forms of violence against women, including rape, acid attacks, stalking, and domestic violence. The act also improved the definition of sexual assault and introduced stricter penalties for offenders.
Similarly, in New Zealand, the 2020 Domestic Violence Amendment Act prioritizes the safety and well-being of victims by granting them 10 days of paid leave and expanding their leave provisions. #16 days Challenge in South Africa and many more in this direction to make women aware about their human rights and give strength to stand against violence are appreciable acts.
The #MeToo movement, founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke and popularized globally in 2017, brought worldwide attention to sexual harassment and assault, empowering survivors and pushing for accountability among perpetrators. Non-profit organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International also tirelessly work to document and expose gender crimes while providing victim support.
Preventing gender-based violence necessitates addressing systemic factors and cultivating a cultural shift that challenges harmful gender norms and stereotypes. Global campaigns, such as UN Women’s “HeForShe,” encourage men and boys to become allies in transforming societal attitudes and promoting positive behavioral changes. Emma Watson says in the regard- “Gender equality not only liberates women but also men from prescribed gender stereotypes.”
Equally important is the development of comprehensive support services for survivors. Many organizations offer helplines, shelters, counseling, and legal aid. The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign supports interventions that provide survivors with crucial support while also championing prevention and empowerment programs.
There are many leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, and social activists like Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Warren Buffett, Indra Nooyi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Atwood, Sheryl Sandberg who have become symbolic voices for many to eradicate such mal-practices and to awaken the humanity as everyone has a role and responsibility to play and fulfill in creating gender-balanced and violence free world.
However, despite progress, challenges remain. Many countries still lack comprehensive legislation or effective enforcement mechanisms to address gender crimes adequately. There is an urgent need for stronger legal frameworks and improved norms, societal attitudes, and educational programs to challenge the root causes of these crimes. Countries like Afghanistan where justice system is yet not updated in context of women, women are suffering a lot. Award winning author like Nadia Hashimi highlights and portrays the real picture of females’ struggle through literary works. In such countries lot of awareness campaigns need to be initiated for empowering women and providing justice to them.
Furthermore, the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ratified in 2015, includes Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. This goal recognizes the importance of eradicating gender-based violence in constructing inclusive societies. But it states that progress in the arena of gaining equality is too slow and it may take 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in position of power and leadership in the workplace and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments.
Thus, gender inequality and violence based on it remains one of the most pressing challenges globally, jeopardizing the well-being and dignity of countless individuals. Recognizing the urgency of the issue, international initiatives, national laws, and societal campaigns continue to address the problem through prevention, support, and legislative reforms. While progress is being made, concerted efforts from all stakeholders are imperative to eradicate gender-based violence and build a future where individuals can live free from fear and violence, regardless of their gender.
The author is a Professor, Writer & Editor
