FEARLESS Standing with women and girls to end violence
ActionAid 33-39 Bowling Green Lane London EC1R 0BJ www.actionaid.org.uk ActionAid is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 274467) and Scotland (Charity No. SC045476)
June 2015 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report was researched and written by Daphne Jayasinghe and Rachel Noble, ActionAid UK.
The authors are extremely grateful for the support and input provided by a range of internal and external colleagues. This includes the additional statistical analysis provided by Jillian Foster (Global Insight www.g-insight.org); technical and peer review of early drafts provided by Kate Bishop (in a personal capacity), (Womankind) and Neelanjana Mukhia, and; peer review of early draft of statistical analysis provided by Sue Himmelweit; content provided by Karen Garvin and support with drafting the Introduction by Rowan Harvey. We would also like to thank colleagues including Lucia Fry, , Kasia Staszewska, Ramona Vijeyarasa, Soren Ambrose, Jo Harris, Boramey Hun, Mike Noyes, Christina Amarchey, Michelle Festus, , Maliha Malikpour, , Daniel Hale, Barry Johnston, Jenny Ricks, Nuria Molina, Anne Quesney, .
Picture research by Alex Yallop. Copy edited by Angela Burton.
Report and infographic design by itslikethis.co
(Front Cover Image) Manu, 28, lives in the village of Degedebe, Brong Ahafo, Ghana with her 6 year-old daughter, Naomi. Manu has been a member of an ActionAid-supported Community Based Anti-Violence Team, or 'COMBAT squad', for the last 6 years and says things are changing for the better. Photo:
02 0306 GLOSSARY OF TERMS CONTENTS
Civil rights: the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality and to be free 06 from unfair treatment or discrimination. Civil liberties: the rights to freedom of expression and belief, association and organisation; rule of law; personal autonomy and individual rights. Civil society: the arena outside the family, the state, and the market in which individuals, One in 3 women: violence diminishing women’s rights groups, organisations and institutions engage in voluntary actions and forms of public participation to advance shared interests, purposes and values, including exercising their 1 democratic right to participate in decision-making. Civil society space: the environment in which civil society operates, characterised by the form of relationships and opportunities for interaction among civil society actors, the state, private Working women on the frontline 18 sector and the general public, as well as the laws, norms and frameworks that govern these. Living in the city: violence restricts women’s freedom to thrive 23 My body, my choices: women’s sexual and reproductive 26 : the strategic deployment of extreme ideology in order to secure political health in the balance 2 power and control over people and communities, often at the expense of human rights. A safe haven? Schoolgirls at risk 28 : an index for measurement of gender disparity 32 introduced in the UN Development Progamme (UNDP) 2010 Human Development Report. 36 : people who individually or collectively act to promote or protect human rights. The beginning of the end: political momentum around VAWG : used interchangeably in this report 36 to refer to violence or threats of violence against women perpetrated by a current or former 2.2 Emerging threat #1: Civil society clampdowns and attempts 40 to silence women 2.3 Emerging threat #2: Rising fundamentalisms 42 Patriarchy: the unequal power relations between women and men that prevail in every 2.4 Emerging threat #3: Wider political and economic inequalities 43 country in the world, whereby women are systematically disadvantaged and oppressed. It is manifest in almost every sphere of life and can be seen, for instance, in women’s 46 under-representation in decision-making and their economic inequality.3 Social norms: the prevailing attitudes, beliefs and practices in a society that are often Failure to address root causes and adopt a holistic, 46 transformative approach : the set of international development 3.2 Women relegated to the margins 47 commitments to be globally agreed in September 2015, succeeding the Millennium 3.3 Beyond rhetoric: political will and accountability gaps 48 Development Goals (MDGs). 3.4 49 eradicate VAWG? : used interchangeably in this report to refer to any act of gender-based violence that results in, of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.4 VAWG also impacts negatively upon women’s opportunities to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality in society.5 Appendix 58 References 60
04 06 EXECUTIVE After decades of international agreements and their bodies. And all share gender inequality as SUMMARY commitments, violence against women and girls a fundamental root cause. The report discusses (VAWG) remains a daily reality everywhere in the the global prevalence of violence as well as the world. Women and girls face the possibility of underlying causes and drivers of abuse. violence in the home, on the street, at school and at work. For many, violence and poverty reinforce VAWG is exacerbated by other multiple forms each other, undermining women’s potential to of oppression based on, for example, women’s realise economic opportunities. Courageous class, caste, ethnicity, age and sexual orientation. women and girls speak out and demand change, And violence erodes many aspects of the lives of sometimes risking their lives in doing so. But their women and girls, impacting on their full range of opportunities for resistance are constrained by human rights. The report points to some key sites shrinking civil society space, widening inequalities where women face the risk of violence: and rising religious fundamentalisms – alarming as they pursue economic opportunities global threats that hit women and girls hardest – whether at home, on the streets or in the workplace – violence and the threat of violence can lock women into cycles Women’s rights organisations are at the forefront of poverty and exacerbate their wider economic inequality; factor in securing long-term sustainable change in cities, where women and girls face sexual from governments and society as a whole. harassment and even assault committed in plain sight, with impunity; erosion of civil rights and shrinking civil society in and around schools, where the fundamental space are undermining their struggle. Women and right to an education is undermined by violence; in communities, where harmful practices restrict the choices women and girls make .6 about their sexual and reproductive health and rights; VAWG is a grave manifestation of gender inequality and a major impediment to chaos and the breakdown of the rule of law development. VAWG is rooted in and reinforces the subordination of women and increases their vulnerability to poverty and other forms In each and every one of these contexts, women of discrimination. This report shines a light on the enduring global outrage of VAWG, which their right to a life free from violence. Indeed, persists in spite of numerous global human rights this report shows how the women’s movement commitments and growing political attention to its elimination. the world’s attention to VAWG alongside local activism to resist and respond to violence within Shockingly, VAWG is the most widespread their communities. But voices of women are being muted. The report highlights emerging threats that globally. It has many forms. This report argues that all forms of gender-based violence – such rights and their defenders at risk: these include as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape shrinking civil society space, rising fundamentalist Dancing during Beti Utsav celebration at Bhalswa, agendas and political and economic inequalities. New Delhi. This event, organised by ActionAid India, sees community members celebrate the birth of girls, reinforce male power and control over women and challenging the tendency to value boys more highly. Photo:
06 0706 principal obligation to prevent, respond to and new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to prosecute acts of VAWG. Notable shortfalls galvanise the necessary political will and resources to eliminate this scourge that locks women and a holistic, integrated, multi-sectoral approach to girls into poverty. Most of all, for action to achieve addressing VAWG; the relegation of women to the sustainable change, women’s rights organisations margins of public and political life; political will and must be given the recognition and support they need to continue leading the charge.
Action is long overdue. The women’s movement has waited for decades for the international women and girls will pay with their bodies, their community to translate rhetoric into action, and choices, their opportunities and their lives for live up to its human rights obligations. In 2015, generations to come.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Show leadership in combatting violence against women and girls by championing the anticipated SDG target on VAWG, ensuring it has genuinely transformative indicators developed in consultation and other global VAWG commitments by developing a clear fast-tracking process that catalyses government and donor action.
Recognise, champion and prioritise women’s organisations as critical long-term partners and leaders accountable for VAWG commitments; protect civil society and democratic space for all, and promote women’s right to participate in decision-making.
rapidly realised in developing countries, including implementation of the SDG target on VAWG and
A girl takes part in, Jurrat, a campaign against gender-based violence in New Delhi, India. Women's collective action is a critical factor in ending VAWG. Photo:
0906 constrained by the threat of violence in public across all regions have started adopting national displacement camps. The creation of ‘hierarchies INTRODUCTION spaces, on public transport or in the home. action plans and strategies to address VAWG.11 of violence’ that prioritise attention and funding for certain manifestations of VAWG13 must be “It would be wonderful if I could feel safe on the Having the freedom to make sexual and However, all too often laws and national action avoided. It is vital that we move beyond words bus and could go to school or any other place reproductive choices is a fundamental right of all plans are not being implemented. Women’s towards action. Governments must realise the without a single hint of fear of anything in my eyes. women. But men often use violence to control promises that women’s movements have fought But that’s not what life here is like.” women’s bodies and the choices they make about challenged by an increasing squeeze on civil for and secured. Frontline activists in women’s 7 15 year old Juliana from the municipality of Santo when and whether to have children. The health organisations, civil society groups and girls’ 8 Agostinho, northeast Brazil impacts can have irreversible consequences for all kinds, in many contexts. A manifestation of clubs are best placed to identify the cause and women and their children, perpetuating the cycle the repression of dissent is tolerance of violence nature of the problem and the solutions, and Every day, women and girls like Juliana face of inequality for generations to come. against women and girls (with impunity) and hold governments to account. Governments abuse, harassment and violence. It occurs and donors must rise to the opportunity, put everywhere in the world, from the home to Even very young girls are at risk. Domestic agendas which are anti-women. Meanwhile, the their money where their mouth is, and cease to busy city streets and workplaces, and from the violence, child marriages, rape resulting in early condone violence through inaction. richest enclaves to the poorest slums. This report pregnancy or female genital mutilation can blight constraints, meaning women’s organisations are highlights the many forms and consequences young lives forever. And, while many families starved of funds, and the public services that of violence and shows how women and girls aspire to improve the lives of their daughters women rely on are run-down and neglected. “Together we must make through education, and girls long for the chance that create new challenges for this struggle. to learn, sadly they face risks on the journey to The women’s movement is looking to 2015 2015 the year that marks Finally it analyses the limitations of national and school and even in schools themselves from as a year of change. It represents a strategic the beginning of the end of international action to date and proposes key peers and teachers. For women and girls living opportunity for women’s rights and for galvanising priorities for 2015. the global momentum and political will needed gender inequality. Now is the humanitarian crisis, the risks multiply and justice is time for action. Now is the far from reach. since the historic 1995 Beijing Declaration and 9 time to end violence against their lifetime. Resisting this pervasive threat takes Platform for Action (BPfA) – the global roadmap courage. But every day brave women’s rights Yet everywhere, women are organising and to advancing women’s rights – and 15 years women and girls everywhere defenders put their lives on the line to do exactly resisting. Women like Lim Srey Mom in Cambodia, since the ground-breaking UN Security Council in the world.” who in her role at the Workers’ Information Centre Resolution 1325 recognising the disproportionate refuge and counselling to survivors, to the activists helps garment workers to resist bullying and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka who take to the streets demanding changes to the exploitation. Women like Sara Garcia, activist is the year that the new Sustainable Development Executive Diretor, law, it is women who are calling time on gender- with the Salvadoran Citizens’ Coalition for the Goals (SDGs) will set out the development agenda UN Women, 201414 Decriminalization of Abortion, campaigning for for the next 15 years. is the changing face of patriarchy, which combines women unjustly imprisoned. Women like Rajaa with other forms of discrimination and rising al-Talli, founder of the Centre for Civil Society and economic inequalities. Thus, despite many gains Democracy in Syria, promoting women’s role in .12 at national and global level, a world where women local peacebuilding. They and millions like them can live free of violence is still a distant dream. are making change and demanding that leaders do the same. of the rights of women and girls, particularly Encouragingly political momentum created by those living in poverty. Earning a decent living women’s collective action has indeed led to is a struggle when the daily uphill battle against improvements in laws and national commitments (see Timeline on Page 38). Today, 76 out of The success of this opportunity depends on abusive partner or violence at the hands of an 100 countries surveyed have laws on domestic confronting all forms of violence against all employer. And the opportunities presented by violence as compared to only 13 out of 100 in women and girls that prevail across homes and urbanisation cannot be realised when women are 1995.10 According to the UN, since 2010 countries schools, streets and workplaces, war zones and
BOX A BOX B BACKGROUND underestimates. Stigma and fear of being blamed women as “any act of gender-based violence for the crime often prevents girls and women 21 that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, may be perpetrators themselves, or complicit in On average 30% of women who have been in a 22 Violence against women and girls is the most including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary concealing the issue, while a lack of awareness relationship report that they have experienced widespread human rights abuse worldwide. deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public of rights and laws, as well as the entrenched some form of physical or sexual violence by their Globally, it is estimated that 35% of women have or in private life.”18 The UNc General Assembly’s notions of violence as normal and acceptable partner.24 experienced either violence at the hands of a 1993 declaration on the elimination of violence also among women themselves, also means reporting abuse in their own homes are at increased risk partner or ex-partner, or sexual violence committed drew attention the detrimental impact of endemic levels are low. of severe physical and mental health problems by someone else in their lifetime.15 As the map violence on women’s opportunities to achieve legal, including depression, injury and in some regions, 25 below shows16, no region of the world escapes social, political and economic equality in society.19 HIV. Physical partner violence often goes hand in violence against women and girls. A recent survey that many forms of violence against women are not hand with psychological control and abuse. Male partners who impose controls over where women of 42,000 women across the EU’s 28 member partner (see BOX B). And there are many other of lethal violence that almost exclusively target can go and who they can speak to also tend to states found that 8% of women experienced forms of violence perpetrated against women women, including so-called ‘honour’ or dowry- limit women’s ability to control their sexual and physical and/or sexual violence in the 12 months and girls because of their gender. Between 100 related killings, as well as witchcraft or sorcery- reproductive decision-making, leading to severe before the survey interview, and one in three and 140 million girls and women worldwide have women had experienced some form of physical consequences for women’s physical and mental undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) carried 23 17 health.26 and/or sexual assault since the age of 15. out by their families and communities, and more than 3 million girls are at risk of FGM every year Tragically, many women and girls lose their lives in Africa alone. Nearly 70 million girls worldwide in the worst manifestations of violence against in the home at the hands of a partner or an ex- have been married before the age of 18 years – abuse women. The UN estimates that a staggering many of them against their will.20 entrenched gender inequalities that prevail 43,600 women were killed in 2012 alone by family members or intimate partners.27 Analysis of data Global VAWG prevalence rates across all levels of society. Violence is used to maintain and reinforce male power and women’s from 32 countries shows that more than two thirds subordination by controlling women’s bodies, of all victims of homicides committed by intimate freedoms and opportunities. In a new analysis partners or family members are women. The of VAWG prevalence in 70 developing countries most recent data suggests that the rate of such commissioned by ActionAid, we found that the homicides has remained constant. The fact that the total homicide rate declined by 15% between the Gender Inequality Index (GII), the lower the 2006 and 2011 suggests that intimate partner prevalence of violence against women (see Graph homicide is not receiving the political and criminal WHO European 1 overleaf).29, 30 justice attention it requires.28 Region High Income 23.2% Society’s prevailing attitudes and beliefs – also WHO Eastern Mediterranean WHO Western known as social norms – play a large part in Region igniting violence. For example, violence against 37.0% 24.6% WHO Region of women and girls and domestic violence in violence by both women and men. Examples the Americas WHO South- WHO African East Asia particular is condoned in many societies by include the beating of women seen to be failing Region Region 36.6% 37.7% men and women who have internalised strong in their ‘wifely’ role, and harassment, groping and notions of what is deemed appropriate behaviour rape of women and girls in public spaces.31 for women and girls. Transgressions from these
Key
n Region Source: WHO
Relationship between VAWG prevalence in four decades, the mobilisation of independent of women to the margins of decision-making are developing countries and Gender Inequality Index women’s rights organisations and movements was long-term trends that must be reversed. More found to be the most important factor in ensuring recently, there has been a tendency towards global commitments to ending violence against donors prioritising certain forms of violence over % women are translated into meaningful, enduring others – creating ‘hierarchies of violence’34 and policies at the national level – more important neglecting the root causes. 100 than a country’s wealth, the presence of left-wing 90 parties or the number of women in politics.33 Shrinking civil liberties 80 70 However, as discussed in Section 2 of this report, women 60 the civil society space that allows women’s The quashing of unions,35 limits on public protest, 50 harassment of activists and the use of militarised Women human rights defenders are targeted 40 police against peaceful protestors are now regularly with violent attacks and abuse for challenging 30 deployed by governments to quell challenges power relations subordinating women. Those who 20 to prevailing social and economic injustices.36 are brave enough to continue undeterred must 10 According to the monitoring body Freedom House, overcome increasing obstacles to democratic 0 2014 was the ninth consecutive year of an overall freedoms including decline in levels of democracy worldwide.37 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 . As discussed in Section 2, civil society organisations are increasingly under attack and These emerging trends are compounded women’s organisations are facing a backlash, by limitations of global, national and donor Social norms around sexual activity also play a being silenced and constrained. This combines
role; many men believe they have the right to sex violence. On the global stage, recognition of responses. Lack of accountability and relegation regardless of consent. A recent study conducted violence against women as an international “ human rights abuse was a victory for women’s common motivation men reported for rape was rights activists. Globally agreed human rights “ related to such beliefs in sexual entitlement. In frameworks provide a standard by which states most sites in the study this was reported as the Tiwonge Gondwe, a 40 year-old farmer and women and girls’ rights activist from Rumphi district in northern 32 violence against women. It is also the benchmark against which women’s rights activists can hold of her husband. Tiwonge was constantly beaten by her husband, causing her physical harm and emotional their governments, institutions and employers to distress. However, she felt trapped in the relationship because of her lack of economic independence. account. rights As Section 1 of this report shows, struggles take mobilising others for change. As a woman living with HIV/ AIDS, Tiownge also understands what it takes To eradicate violence against women and girls all place in communities, school rooms, courts, to support fellow women and girls in her predicament, and actively supports those living with the condition. together, it is critical to challenge the social norms that drive it. And where violence persists, the health centres. And, as the case studies show, Tiwonge has come together with other women to push for an end to VAWG from community, to district, state must support survivors through provision of their success often relies on collective action and to national level. This includes her work leading Chikulamayembe Women’s Forum, a partner of ActionAid high quality public services and ensure access to the mobilisation of women’s organisations and International Malawi. This grassroots movement of women challenges laws and practices that expose justice for them. civil society. women to gender-based violence and discrimination.
The women’s movement has been the pivotal There is strong evidence to demonstrate the player in building political will for action on violence against women and girls. Be that through child marriage while the President launched a 3-year national campaign to end sexual violence. campaigning for better services for survivors, VAWG. In a study covering 70 countries across pushing for laws against domestic violence or
Average VAWG prevalence in developing countries by Freedom House Civil Liberties Index Score
%
50 %
40 % 30 % % %
20 % % 33.4 32.7
10 23.0
0
Most 2 3 4 5 6 Least Free Free
with the exclusion of women from political The vital importance of an environment in which decision-making and violent attacks against individuals defending women’s rights. Just one is illustrated in ActionAid’s latest research that 38 At analysed the relationship between civil rights and current rates of progress, women won’t comprise VAWG. half the world’s leaders for another 120 years.39 Women human rights defenders and women . In countries activists depend on civil liberties to operate. Freedom of expression, assembly, association, the average rate of VAWG is 24%, whereas in education, and religion are all vital for women’s countries that are ‘Not Free’ (with a CL score organisations and other civil society organisations of 6 or higher), 47.6% of women and girls have challenging violence and gender inequality. experienced violence40 (see Graph 2 above). Prevention and redress also rely on the rule of law and fair legal systems that ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. These position of the global feminist movement – characteristics are measured by the Freedom supported by ActionAid – that the eradication of House Civil Liberties (CL) index – countries with VAWG relies on women’s leadership, activism the weakest civil liberties score 7 while those with Zahra Wafo, 28, is community facilitator for the the strongest score 1. Where women cannot organise to resist violence women's association of Nawa village, Bamyan province, in all its forms, demand legislative and policy Afghanistan. As well as learning to read and write, changes, and hold governments accountable for and producing handicrafts to support their economic their implementation, violence persists. empowerment, the meetings provide an opportunity Photo:
SECTION 1 According to the International Trade Union Violence and the threat of violence in the home Confederation (ITUC), up to half of women SITES OF STRUGGLE: is used as a means to control women and their experience unwanted sexual advances and bodies, to lock them into disempowering positions physical contact, or other forms of sexual Where women face violence of economic dependency and fear of current or harassment at work.51 former intimate partners, as well as abusive family In Cambodia, one in 10 incidents of sexual harassment experienced by garment workers have been found to have higher work absenteeism occur in factories.52 In 2009, Mexico’s National and lower productivity and earnings than women Institute for Women (INMUJERES) reported who are not experiencing violence.46 For instance, that 46% of women (15 million) in the formal women in formal wage work in Tanzania earn 60% less if they experience severe violence from their quarter of these women were dismissed and partners.47 40% were forced to leave their jobs.53 Appalling neglect of workplace safety standards, Outside the home, many women regularly endure along with pressure to work long hours in toxic sexual harassment as they travel to and from conditions cause physical and psychological work. Women worldwide – whether in busy city harm, injury and even death to many women. avenues or dusty rural marketplaces – face lewd This includes, for example, exposure to harmful remarks, catcalling and groping. So normalised pesticides for women processing cashew nuts cutting theme. is this behaviour that it often goes unnoticed by the passing public.48 At the more extreme end of to European supermarkets.54 Another stark the spectrum lies the possibility of rape, sexual example was the Rana Plaza factory collapse assault and violent crime. in Bangladesh, in which over 1,100 women lost informal sector, in agriculture, or in exploitative their lives and over 4,500 were injured.55 As the and hazardous global supply chains. Their work All of this understandably deters women from Cambodia case study on Page 20 shows, women is undervalued and – in the case of women’s “…women’s economic empowerment…as well moving about freely, hampering their opportunities workers courageously seek ways to come to disproportionate share of caring for children, as their full and equal participation in public to earn an income. Women who are poor, living in together to challenge corporate violence and families and those who are elderly or unwell – and political life, is essential for addressing the informal settlements that may be many miles from exploitation. However, they are frequently met largely invisible. structural and underlying causes of violence their places of work in ill-lit, inadequately policed with threats and further violence by employers, as against women and girls.” well as state authorities acting in the interests of 41 Such economic inequalities increase women’s CSW57 Agreed Conclusions public transport, are especially at risk. Research by risk of being subjected to violence, while VAWG ActionAid Cambodia, for example, showed 38% of human rights obligations. According to the ITUC, itself increases women’s economic disadvantage, Violence both drives and is a consequence of garment workers and 71% of sex workers reported unions are increasingly under attack.56 The same locking them into a cycle of poverty and abuse. avoiding going to work because of fears for their trend is true for women human rights defenders, by women everywhere, but particularly poor safety.49 who are harassed because they are women and undermines their voice and bargaining power at women in the global South, On virtually every because they stand up for women’s rights and home, work and in wider society, making it harder Violence at work human rights (see Page 40-41).57 42 to challenge or leave abusive partners or work men. Research by ActionAid has found that the Sadly, women’s experience of violence does not situations.44 Particularly at risk are women who global gap between men and women’s earnings end ‘at the factory gates’. Among the reported Such negligence and oppressive practices mean are poor or young, migrant, indigenous or from an and labour market participation amounts to a abuses are sexual, physical and psychological the companies involved – whether directly or 43 ethnic minority, as well as domestic workers, sex staggering US$17 trillion every year. Norms, harassment, bullying by managers and further up the supply chain – are at worst direct workers, forced, bonded and girl child labourers, practices and policies that discriminate against supervisors, body searches, forced pregnancy perpetrators of VAWG and at best complicit in 45 women at every level mean that their cheap and tests, dismissal of pregnant women, violations such acts. This is also a gross violation of global The destructive impacts of VAWG on women’s unpaid labour essentially subsidises the global of sexual and reproductive health and rights, human rights standards, which clearly establish economic rights manifest themselves at many economy. Women are concentrated in poorly and threats and beatings when women dare to that companies have a responsibility to respect levels. rewarded and precarious forms of work in the challenge oppressors.50 human rights and support access to justice.58
“...I feel very scared“ cycling home in the dark Violence against garment
protests and strikes.61 Under pressure to support their families, these women face a choice between no job, or an exploitative job that exposes them to increased risk of violence. Low wages and insecure, short-term contracts compel women to sexual and reproductive health and rights are also being jeopardised. Rom Phari is a 29-year-old union leader and garment worker. “Miscarriages Kunthea59 faces a constant fear and risk of are common among garment workers… we have at violence as she travels home from the factory least three or four miscarriages a month,” she says. in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, where she sews clothes for major high-street brands. Meanwhile, pregnant women risk losing 62 Kunthea’s job pays poverty wages and leaves her their job. Perhaps unsurprisingly, abortions exposed to multiple forms of violence. are reportedly in high demand. Women who are unable to pay may resort to unsafe Lim Srey Mom is a facilitator for ActionAid abortions putting themselves at risk of serious 63 partner organisation Workers Information Centre complications, or even death. (WIC). WIC works to empower women garment workers by making them aware of their rights “ and Cambodia’s labour laws, so they can organise by exploitation, discrimination and violence... For too long now institutions that were created to protect Cambodian women and citizens have “Most violence against women in the factory is not been manipulated by powerful business interests physical but mental because of the pressure from resulting in illegitimate brutality, shootings and the supervisors… [A] worker told me… there was deaths.” 64 Community Legal Education Centre, Cambodia so the supervisor asked her to meet with the Chinese owner… They shouted loudly at her and In the face of threats from employers and violent made her cry in front of the other workers.” clampdowns by the government, many women are standing up for their rights, such as by joining or leading a union. In early 2014, thousands of fuelled by its garment industry60 – has, to a large women garment workers took to the streets to extent, come at the expense of women’s rights. demand an end to poverty wages. State security Women make up around 90% of garment workers, forces responded brutally. At least four male trade most of them young migrants from rural areas. unionists were killed and 40 other demonstrators were injured.65 Public gatherings were banned in Women are preferred by many factories because, Kunthea, a 35 year-old garment worker in Phnom Penh, in line with prevailing social norms, they are seen Cambodia, faces a daily threat of violence as she women garment workers. But the women, as more passive, submissive and obedient, while travels to and from work. Poor pay and working along with the wider labour movement, have men are perceived as more likely to challenge conditions trap women like Kunthea in poverty continued their struggle, and recently secured a exploitation by joining unions and participating in and exacerbate their risk of violence further. rise in the minimum wage.66 Photo:
0620 Although cities are often described as the economic powerhouses of nations – with plentiful opportunities – rapid urbanisation has resulted in stark income inequalities, widespread poverty, poor living conditions, insecurity and violence. The In December 2012, the violent gang rape and fear and reality of violence experienced by women murder of ‘Nirbhaya’,68 an Indian woman travelling in urban public spaces – whether engaging on a Delhi bus, sparked public outrage and in economic or leisure activities, travelling to protests, not only on the streets and in the media school, or accessing public services – is an of India, but globally. Nirbhaya’s untimely death extension of the inequality women experience and the upsurge of resistance that it provoked in their homes, communities and workplaces. shone renewed light on violence against women Such threats and experiences constrain women’s and girls, and the urgent need to assert women’s freedom of movement, limit their potential, and right to the city. hinder enjoyment of their economic, social and political rights. Poor women facing other forms As urban populations grow,69 women migrate to of discrimination based on race, class, sexual urban centres as either dependants or in pursuit orientation, age, occupation and geography are at of economic opportunities. So it is vital to make greater risk. A recent ActionAid study shows how cities safe for women and girls.70 Some have been widespread gender-based violence continues to coerced, forced or misled about the opportunities be in several cities (see Table 1). 71 Women living in slums and shacks are working hard to improve their lives but are subject to verbal abuse, sexual harassment and unwanted contact such as touching, groping or rape.72
Types of violence reported, as experienced by women and girls in urban communities in the past months or year 73
Verbal abuse or 77% 44% 74% 42% sexual remarks
Physical abuse * 22% 43%
Sexual harrassment/ * * 20% 22% eve teasing
Sexual assualt, rape 22% * * * or fear of rape
Sophia Abdi Noor campaigns through the Somali part of Kenya at the Tana River during the 2013 election in Kenya. Photo:
0622 23 “ Portrait of activist from the ... Rainbow Activist Alliance “ insults every day, supported by ActionAid partner the Forum for the Empowerment beatings if we walk alone of Women. The activists participate in a project to empower lesbian women to create safe communities. The activists meet bi-monthly in their communities with the objective of building feminist political consciousness for activism. Photo:
“In South Africa there is no safe space for women, have access to work opportunities 77, pointing to there is nowhere you can be safe from rape … if the multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination you’re a lesbian in Soweto, guys see you as a threat that increase the risk of violence. the earth. We get insults every day, beatings if we As Thulisle Msiza, Director of Ekurhuleni LGBTI walk alone, you are constantly reminded that you (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) are a bitch, that you deserve to be raped, they yell, puts it, “It seems that as lesbians we cannot go ‘if I rape you then you will go straight, that you will anywhere. We cannot be ourselves. We have buy skirts and start to cook because you will have to hide ourselves, otherwise we get killed. We learned how to be a real woman’. have to stay indoors – like caged animals. It’s like we are living in apartheid era again and Then there are others who believe that we are all homosexuals are the ones being oppressed.”78 virgins and so if they have sex with us, we are free from diseases. They believe that it is their right to Fear is compounded by police inaction and have sex with any woman out there, straight or impunity, with few attacks brought to justice, lesbian. including several homophobic attacks that have ended in brutal murders.79 Following I think the violence is getting worse. Just last the recent brutal rape of Kim Shabalala,80 an December I knew of a lesbian couple in a bar near openly bisexual woman and an active member my home. They were out with boys who were their of Limpopo LGBTI Proudly OUT (LLPO),81 the friends. At the end of the night her girlfriend was police, failed to act promptly and arrived a few killed and she was raped. I believe this happens days after the incident to collect evidence. South every day. The fact there is no justice means that African LGBTI organisations documenting people think they can get away with it because violence over the past two decades suggest nobody cares.”74 that, for historical reasons, black lesbians and transgender men living in townships, peri-urban Violence against women is widespread in South and rural areas, and informal settlements are Africa. A recent study estimated that a woman is among the most marginalised and vulnerable killed by an intimate partner every eight hours.75 members of South Africa’s LGBTI population.82 Two-thirds of South Africa’s population now lives in urban areas, and for women living in poverty ActionAid South Africa is partnering with the Forum for the Empowerment of Women, an by inadequate housing, insecurity and impunity.76 organisation of and for black lesbian women that A recent survey conducted in nine townships mainly with lesbian and bisexual women and collective. By building the leadership and girls found that only 12% felt safe from verbal and physical abuse in their neighbourhoods while aim to challenge the discriminatory attitudes 27% never felt safe. The majority of these women and perceptions which fuel homophobic attacks also experienced economic hardship, with 90% and push for changes in government policy and reporting that they ‘never’ or only ‘sometimes’ the criminal justice system to prevent such crimes going unpunished.
24 is physically controlled – she is denied sexual 94 pleasure, she is prevented from having sex before marriage and her education and life choices are 87 THE BALANCE constrained. Violence is used to control women’s sexual activity Marriage under the age of 18, or child marriage,88 Guadeloup Vasquez worked as a maid in El intimidation and harassment from inmates and choices about whether and when they have is disproportionately experienced by girls and Salvador, and became pregnant at 17 after she on the grounds of abortion charges are not children, with devastating consequences for their puts them at particular risk of sexual, physical and was raped by her employer’s neighbour. She uncommon.96 sexual and reproductive health and rights. Violence psychological violence throughout their lives.89 It planned to name the baby Gabriel. One day, against women and girls is considered by the World is a violation of women’s sexual and reproductive during her pregnancy, she experienced intense According to activist Sara Garcia, Salvadoran Health Organization to be a “global public health health and rights as, more often than not, women pains and bleeding but her employer refused laws disproportionately harm women who are problem of epidemic proportions”,83 increasing are married against their will, and are physically to let her leave the house to get medical care. risk of physical and mental trauma, unintended and emotionally unprepared for sexual activity, Guadeloup gave birth to the baby unaided, heard “hatred of women”. pregnancies, vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and pregnancy and childbirth. Child brides often irreversible sexual and reproductive problems. her to the hospital saying she did not want to marry much older men and have limited power “deal with two dead in my house”. However, four to choose whether they have sex and when to We live in days after arriving at the hospital, Guadeloup use protection and family planning methods, “ went on trial and was sentenced to 30 years in rights to make leaving them vulnerable to forced sex and sexually a misogynist, jail for having a miscarriage. She is amongst transmitted diseases including HIV. Globally, it several women accused of causing the death of machista society is most common in rural areas, and girls in the their foetus or infant. rights is essential to both preventing violence and poorest quintile are 2.5 times more likely to marry 90 ...with prejudices supporting women and girls who have experienced in childhood than those in the richest quintile. El Salvador criminalises abortion on all it. Sexual and reproductive health and rights can be grounds, including when the mother’s life or understood as the right for all, regardless of age, The families of girls undergoing FGM or entering health is in danger, and in cases of rape. Women about how a woman ethnicity, sexual orientation, HIV status or other child marriages are often unaware of the and girls cannot access an abortion even if their aspects of identity, to make choices regarding their devastating risks of these practices for their lives are at risk, or if their foetuses will not should behave and own sexuality and reproduction. It also includes health.91 These internationally recognised forms survive. Yet the law is being taken to another the right to access the information and services of gender-based violence are therefore a direct the punishment needed to support these choices and optimise violation of the rights to informed choices about of their foetus or child was not their doing. health.84 These rights are captured in international sexuality, reproduction and reproductive health. Those who defy the law and seek unsafe she should receive frameworks, including the commitments made at the International Conference on Population and World Health Organization in 2008 reported Development held in Cairo in 1994 and at other that 9% of maternal deaths in Central America 85 are the result of such procedures.95 those expectations. international events since. Communities are not the only perpetrators of The Salvadoran organisation Agrupación There is no
such violations. The state and other institutions Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto, choices play an important role in determining women’s (Salvadoran Citizens’ Coalition for the presumption“ of Discriminatory social norms have, in some rights. As discussed in Section 3, the resurgence Decriminalization of Abortion) successfully 97 communities, fostered practices that can devastate of religious fundamentalism (whether Christian, campaigned for the El Salvadoran Legislative innocence. lives, especially for young girls. Female genital Islamic, Hindu or other) has led to the suppression Assembly to grant a pardon to Guadeloup and mutilation (FGM) or cutting, a practice which or complete denial of women’s access to sexual she was released after serving seven years involves partial or total removal of the external and reproductive health, including criminalising and 3 months in overcrowded prisons, where female genitalia, is a manifestation of social norms or restricting access to safe abortions and that control women’s and girls’ sexuality and emergency contraception.92 In 2008, an estimated consider their bodies, their sexuality and their future 47,000 deaths were the result of unsafe abortion, to be the property of others.86 A survivor’s sexuality accounting for almost 13% of all maternal deaths.93
26 27 Caroline, 13, lives at her primary school in East Pokot, Kenya. At 11, she had dropped out of school as she was unable to pay the fees, and was married against her A SAFEHAVEN? wishes. She ran away soon after and an old neighbour helped her Schoolgirls are widely reported to be caught up Violence against schoolgirls is part of the gender get back into school. discrimination in communities and the wider society Photo: 14 April 2014, armed members of the extremist which becomes embedded in schools’ institutional group Boko Haram entered a school in Chibok, policies. Therefore challenging prejudice and northern Nigeria, and abducted 276 girls from their fundamentalist attitudes in the wider community is classroom. Some miraculously escaped but, at the central to halting the threat and reality of violence time of writing, 219 of the girls are still missing.98 in schools. Moreover, facilitating safe spaces and Malala Yousafzai was shot on the way to school opportunities in which girls themselves can discuss in Pakistan in 2012 and survived to become a their needs and develop strategies to confront and fearless defender of girls’ right to education. Sadly, oppose injustice is essential to eradicating violence there are countless untold incidents of violence against schoolgirls. For example, the establishment against schoolgirls. of girls’ and boys’ clubs in schools and communities in Ghana helps empower children and Many families see education as the most young people with information about their rights. important route out of poverty for future Club members are able to take concrete action to generations. But the World Health Organization raise awareness of girls’ rights to education and estimates that 150 million girls are sexually protection from violence, and support their out-of- assaulted each year, with many of these acts school peers to return to their studies.102 occurring at or on the way to school.99 Violence as a barrier to education can take many forms, including sexual harassment, intimidation, teasing, “For me the best way to abuse, assault and rape, corporal punishment, bullying, verbal and psychological abuse and the exploitation of students’ labour. Trusted adults and extremism is just simple IMAGE peers such as students, teachers, other school employees, bus and taxi drivers and community 100 members are among the perpetrators. generation.” Malala Yousafzai 103 targeting girls BBC interview, 2013 An ActionAid study in Africa, Asia and Latin America found that violence and the fear of violence were among the key factors preventing girls from attending school and completing their education.101 Violence targeting girls such as child marriage or female genital mutilation can prevent them from going to school because of potential denied their right to education and their ambition, potential and opportunities are thwarted at an early age. .
29
30
: Photo
(FGM) in his village. village. his in (FGM)
eradicating Female Genital Mutilation Mutilation Genital Female eradicating
His biggest achievement, he says, is is says, he achievement, biggest His
violence in his community, Kwame Tenten. Tenten. Kwame community, his in violence
education.
squad member and works tirelessly to reduce reduce to tirelessly works and member squad
the farm also means there is little time left for for left time little is there means also farm the
spare time Thomas volunteers as a COMBAT COMBAT a as volunteers Thomas time spare
household chores, care for siblings or work on on work or siblings for care chores, household my performance was good.” was performance my
is now a primary school teacher. In his his In teacher. school primary a now is
and the expectation that girls will carry out out carry will girls that expectation the and 5 – even though I missed a lot of school – because because – school of lot a missed I though even – 5
Thomas Obour, 36, formally a radio presenter, presenter, radio a formally 36, Obour, Thomas
marriage are reported to be barriers to school, school, to barriers be to reported are marriage well; maths is my best subject. I’ve stayed in Class Class in stayed I’ve subject. best my is maths well;
Early pregnancy and and pregnancy Early months. 12 previous “I’m glad to be at school,” says Janet. “I’m doing doing “I’m Janet. says school,” at be to glad “I’m
104
experienced some form of violence during the the during violence of form some experienced
had girls of 66% as many as that found Ghana in
stated working in this village there was a lot more more lot a was there village this in working stated communities select with research ActionAid’s
Unit at Wenchi Police Station. Before COMBAT COMBAT Before Station. Police Wenchi at Unit
everything was healed. I missed a lot of school.” of lot a missed I healed. was everything to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Support Victim and Violence Domestic the to
to go back to hospital. It took three months before before months three took It hospital. to back go to happens. It gave me courage to take my daughters daughters my take to courage me gave It happens.
The wounds didn’t heal and got infected and I had had I and infected got and heal didn’t wounds The this education I learned what to do if something something if do to what learned I education this
running out. They did an operation but it spoiled. spoiled. it but operation an did They out. running domestic violence in the street at night. Through Through night. at street the in violence domestic
“He hurt me so badly. There was much blood blood much was There badly. so me hurt “He year in the information centre. I saw a video on on video a saw I centre. information the in year
“I heard of COMBAT educating the public last last public the educating COMBAT of heard “I
so loud. so
shouted but nobody heard me because the TV was was TV the because me heard nobody but shouted community education. community
loudly. Then he started to rape me. I shouted and and shouted I me. rape to started he Then loudly. her to a hospital through the COMBAT squad’s squad’s COMBAT the through hospital a to her
then he locked the door and turned the TV set up up set TV the turned and door the locked he then and justice for his daughter and urgently getting getting urgently and daughter his for justice and
relatives were gone, I handed him the kenkey and and kenkey the him handed I gone, were relatives Janet’s father learned about seeking support support seeking about learned father Janet’s
“So I went for the kenkey and when I returned the the returned I when and kenkey the for went I “So
prepared from maize dough] for him. for dough] maize from prepared we have educated our community on the harmful harmful the on community our educated have we
20s, asked me to go and buy some kenkey [a dish dish [a kenkey some buy and go to me asked 20s, no more. This is one of my biggest achievements – – achievements biggest my of one is This more. no
then the man, Asanti, who was about in his mid- his in about was who Asanti, man, the then started six years ago. But thanks to COMBAT it is is it COMBAT to thanks But ago. years six started
relatives of his joined us to watch the movie, but but movie, the watch to us joined his of relatives “There was a lot of FGM going on here when we we when here on going FGM of lot a was “There
people who had a video. To start with some female female some with start To video. a had who people
at this neighbour’s house, as he was one of the few few the of one was he as house, neighbour’s this at as a COMBAT squad member. squad COMBAT a as
“It happened one evening. We often watch a movie movie a watch often We evening. one happened “It Obour is a primary school teacher and volunteers volunteers and teacher school primary a is Obour
community and across northern Ghana. Thomas Thomas Ghana. northern across and community
Teams – known as COMBAT squads – in Janet’s Janet’s in – squads COMBAT as known – Teams school. of months
is working with Community Based Anti-Violence Anti-Violence Based Community with working is
rights of girls through collective action. ActionAid ActionAid action. collective through girls of rights She neighbour. a by raped brutally was she when
mobilising to resist violence and demand the the demand and violence resist to mobilising old years 11 just was She Ghana. Ahafo, Brong
Communities and schoolgirls in Ghana are are Ghana in schoolgirls and Communities Tenten, Kwame in family her with lives Janet
Violence against schoolgirls in Ghana in schoolgirls against Violence
me heard ody nob ...
“ I shouted and shouted but but shouted and shouted I ...
“ violence perpetrated by armed factions.111 In So, despite UNSCR 1325 and six subsequent the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for communities instance, women reported high levels of sexual “Even during the war [women] were the ones violence in provinces far removed from the main that initiated peace. Even now, they are the ones at household and community level largely that women face.105 The mass displacement holding the topic.” unrecognised, their potential role in emerging new they cause and the destruction they wreak on been forced by partners to have sex or perform Hannah Koroma, WAVES, Sierra Leone.118 governments unrealised, and their fundamental infrastructure, access to services, water and sexual acts.112 Child marriage also rises steeply, right to participate in decision-making so that the sanitation, healthcare, shelter and livelihoods, and in a desperate bid by parents to ‘protect’ their root causes of gender inequality and VAWG can 126 the fabric of society exacerbates women’s poverty daughters. be tackled, denied. Even so, as the following and creates social stress, which can worsen case study from Syria demonstrates, women women’s exposure to VAWG. Meanwhile, the their societies, in challenging gender-based breakdown of governance structures and law and Civilians – the majority women and children violence and forging a more inclusive peace within order creates greater impunity for perpetrators.106 – constitute up to 90% of deaths in today’s households and communities.119 Furthermore, protracted armed struggles over natural resources, preventing and responding to VAWG should be “Abuse can happen in a land and political or religious ideology.113 prioritised from the start of any humanitarian women’s homes, communities, displacement response, with programmes planned and camps, at the hands of spouses or family, multiple rebel factions – often backed by foreign implemented with women’s and girls’ active community members, soldiers, or even the very governments – and international allied forces participation. In fact, processes of peacebuilding peacekeepers and humanitarian workers sent to such as NATO. The systematic use of VAWG, girls are diminished and support them.107 particularly sexual violence, is also widely seen transform gender relations and forge more equal devalued simply because 114 societies. they are girls. It is Countless women are subjected to rape, forced violence abortion or sterilisation, deliberate infection with Indeed, in 2000, the historic UN Security Council unacceptable in any form. sexually transmitted infections including HIV, Domestic violence – already the most prevalent Countries simply cannot physical mutilation, and sexual and economic women’s essential role in peacebuilding, their right manifestation of VAWG globally – is aggravated slavery.115 Men and boys are also targeted. to participate fully and equally in peacebuilding progress when half their further by the extreme social and economic stress processes, and the disproportionate impacts of of humanitarian situations.108 populations are marginalised, 120 However, the international the militarisation of society can also lead to a to the world’s attention following the wars in community still tends to focus narrowly on ‘rape mistreated, or subjected to culture of violence, further exacerbating violence Bosnia-Herzegovina and Rwanda in the 1990s116 as a weapon of war’ requiring a military-security in the home.109 discrimination.” and have since been documented in the DRC, response.121,122 As well as glossing over the VAWG 127 Hillary Clinton, 2011 Somaliland, Uganda, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Sri Lanka, “Women in war zones … told us how militarisation Burma, Colombia and Ukraine,117 to name but a and so-called peace,123 and how all such violence few. Needless to say, this brutality leads to life- is related to women’s wider social, political and changing injuries, psychological trauma and even economic marginalisation,124 this approach 110 reinforces notions of women as passive victims in then explosive and often violent…” have ended. Women survivors and children need of protecting, rather than as political actors borne of rape often face stigma and rejection by in their own right.125 Indeed, an emerging body of evidence shows their families and communities, which can force that domestic violence remains the most them into further destitution, displacement and common form of VAWG faced by women in exposure to violence. such settings, though it often remains under- reported and receives less attention than sexual
0632 33 “God help these girls... They are getting beaten, they are getting married
so young
imposed severe restrictions on the movement of humanitarian catastrophe that has engulfed Syria women. since 2011 face heightened levels of violence in their homes, on the streets and in displacement Displaced women and girls inside and outside camps.128 sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as Layla is a 38-year old Syrian refugee based in increased rates of child marriage – used as a desperate strategy by parents fearing for their husbands. [One community member] is only 16 daughters’ safety. 133 years old and is beaten every day.... God help these girls…. They are getting miscarriages, they are being beaten, they are getting married so women have shown courage and resilience in young.”129 resisting violence. Nassra and other women in Zaatari camp were concerned about safety for By March 2015, some 7.6 million Syrians had women using poorly lit shared bathroom facilities been internally displaced, with an additional four after dark. They successfully lobbied the UN High 130 Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to speed 131 many up the provision of electricity to their district to citing sexual violence as a primary reason. address their concerns.
“I could see the fear in my children’s eyes,” says Many Syrian women are coming together to 50 year-old Nassra Al-Harrir, describing the demand gender equality and an active role in 134 the Syrian town of Dara for the sprawl of Zaatari In January 2015, women from leading Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, where ActionAid is opposition groups founded the Syrian Women’s working to empower and support Syrian refugee Network (SWN), committed to “advocating for women. “It was not an easy decision, but we knew women’s equal participation in all aspects of we had no option. It was leave, or die.” peace, security and future governance” of Syria.135 Rajaa al-Talli, a founder of the Center for Civil Both government and opposition forces stand Society and Democracy in Syria, has highlighted accused of committing sexual violence and rape, Nassra Al Hariri, 50, left Syria in January 2013, generating a climate of fear that further restricts local peacebuilding.136 heading for Zataari refugee camp in Jordan. Here women’s participation in public life.132 Inside extremism and radicalism are usually [used] to she attended women's circles set up by ActionAid Syria, extremist Islamist factions have also oppress women. Having more women empowered is where she lobbied for lights and torches for women, hitting one of the pillars that support extremism.”137 and access to electricity for her district. Photo: ActionAid
0634 SECTION 2 And in terms of addressing VAWG in the world Many governments have also enacted new 2 151 of work, the 2011 UN Guiding Principles on legislation or have strengthened existing laws. TURNING RHETORIC Business and Human Rights clarify corporate This includes the introduction of Sierra Leone’s responsibilities to respect human rights by 2007 Domestic Violence Act,152 the 2009 Ending INTO REALITY: undertaking human rights due diligence Violence Against Women Law in Afghanistan,153 throughout business activities and supply chains. Nicaragua’s 2012 Violence Against Women Act,154 Why global commitments Particular attention should be paid to marginalised and the overturning of a Moroccan Law in 2014 that allowed men who had raped underage girls to remain unrealised business activities on the rights of women and walk free by marrying them.155 men.145 Meanwhile, the trade union movement is calling for a new International Labour Organization violence in the workplace.146 “Violence is a gross violation of human rights, but regrettably there is a Many of these global policy frameworks call upon governments to adopt national action general tolerance of gender- plans for combatting VAWG, and countries are based violence, therefore 138 responding.147 According to the UN, since 2010, the majority of people do not countries in all regions have started adopting national action plans and strategies to address recognize its many forms VAWG.148 The more comprehensive of these cover as a crime... but rather multiple forms of VAWG and include prevention feminist and women’s rights organisations globally measures, such as public awareness campaigns; consider it an integral – there have been numerous initiatives aimed at improved coordinated services for survivors, part of the culture and the tackling the global scourge of VAWG (see timeline Thanks to decades of hard-fought campaigning such as integrated referral mechanisms, shelters, fate of women. When the by women around the world, drawing on their overleaf). International, regional and national healthcare, psychological support and legal diverse lived experiences of discrimination and protocols, declarations, conventions, resolutions, aid; specialised courts and police services, and state fails to prosecute the their struggles to live a life free from violence, directives and campaigns have been launched by training of police, teachers and the judiciary; data perpetrators of violence, it political momentum to promote gender equality the UN, the African Union (the Maputo Protocol), collection; and timelines and mechanisms for and address VAWG have been stepped up. the Organization of American States (the Belem implementation.149 It is also important to ensure not only encourages further do Para Convention), ASEAN, and the Council of VAWG National Action Plans are aligned with abuse, but government’s Europe, among others. other relevant strategies and plans, notably those implementing UNSCR 1325. inaction gives the impression scene These notable examples include the 1993 UN The year 1979 was an historic one for women’s that male violence against Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Encouragingly, some action plans recognise Women;140 the 1995 Beijing Declaration and females is acceptable.” legally binding treaty dedicated to the rights of the importance of dialogue and coordination Platform for Action;141 the UN Secretary General’s Amna Ehsan, women and non-discrimination: the Convention with women’s organisations. This includes, for 2008-2015 UNiTE to end VAWG campaign;142 the 156 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Women’s rights activist, 2014 G8 Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW, along with Action Plan on Violence Against Women, which 143 and no less than other major human rights conventions and was launched in 2014 following nine months of seven UN Security Council Resolutions since 2000 treaties, clearly establishes the obligation of consultations with women’s organisations and recognising how women are disproportionately governments to prevent and protect against all civil society, including ActionAid Cambodia and its 150 forms of VAWG, as well as to provide support local partners. violence, and stressing the need for their full and services and ensure justice for survivors.139 meaningful participation in peacebuilding.144
36 37 TIMELINE157 Global and regional commitments to end violence against women and girls
160
161
159
158
162
Marie, who is around 60 years old, wasn't able to have her own children after being circumcised, this is one and wife after they died from AIDS. Photo:
06 39 Disturbingly, as these examples show, rather than protecting women’s rights – including meeting international obligations to protect women human rights defenders as set out in a groundbreaking 2013 UN Resolution173 – many governments are directly perpetrating violence against women, while failing to address cultures of impunity. And “In a recent case, we helped a woman leave her in countries that have stronger civil liberties. This rather than supporting women in their struggle, 2.2 abusive husband and he threatened to kill me. My many states are closing down the civil society family worry for my safety. But I am available 24 of the global feminist movement – supported by space which all civil society, including women’s hours a day…”. ActionAid – that the eradication of VAWG relies Pabitra Bishwokarma, President, Feminist Dalit on women’s leadership, activism and the frontline quashing of unions,174 harassment and detention “In the face of contemporary waves of protest, 166 Organisation, Makhanpur District, Nepal many governments feel threatened and have of activists, restrictive legislation, blocking of society space and liberties are constrained, so internet access, banning of publications, and Attacks on women seeking to realise their rights too are women’s abilities to organise, resist, and through a combination of dubious legislation, the the use of militarised police against peaceful see demonisation of protest movements and direct protestors are regularly deployed by governments box on Afghanistan opposite).167 Indeed, the the importance of supporting and working with harassment of civil society activists and their to quell escalating dissent around spiralling 163 women’s organisations to establish policies and organisations.” Civicus inequalities, governance failures and corporate many parts of the world, the rise of religious mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender- abuse,175 thereby denying citizens their right to fundamentalisms and conservatism (see Page 42), based violence, and to hold their governments participate in democratic process and decision- Attacks on women claiming and the crises in law and order and governance accountable on their commitments. making. According to the monitoring body their rights and democracy that these entail, are posing grave Freedom House, 2014 was the ninth consecutive For generations, countless determined women challenges to women human rights defenders.168 year of an overall decline in levels of democracy and girls all over the world have been on the worldwide.176 ‘Women and women human rights defenders need their communities. These women face a barrage support to protect them from threats and attacks of gender-based violence. Ridicule, threats, verbal from both State and non-State actors. Protection abuse, physical and sexual assault, as well as cannot remain on paper. We need real, practical Afghanistan is one of the most extreme attacks on their families are perpetrated by family implementation. We are in a very sensitive time. The alarming constraints being placed on civil examples of a society where violence is used and community members, religious groups, We need everyone’s resolve and solidarity’. society and democratic space gravely threaten to silence women’s voices, as shown by these criminal gangs, armed factions, corporate actors 169 the realisation of commitments to achieve gender Mary Akrami, Afghan Women’s Network recent examples. equality and eradicate VAWG, as led by women’s silence, shame and punish women who speak organisations. In a recent global study, the : Farkhunda, a 27-year-old 164 mobilisation of independent feminist organisations out. In Iran, in August 2014, 28-year-old artist Atena religious studies teacher, was beaten to and movements was found to be the most death, burned and thrown into a river by up important factor in ensuring global commitments As highlighted by the International Coalition on for posting a cartoon on Facebook that criticised to 200 men. She had been falsely accused on women’s rights are translated into meaningful, Women Human Rights Defenders (ICWHRD), parliament’s consideration of a bill threatening enduring policies at the national level – more women are targeted both because they seek to access to contraception and family planning. As that his selling of tawiz – scraps of paper important than a country’s wealth, the presence of challenge the status quo, and because they are of March 2015, Atena remains behind bars.170 In with religious verses that are supposed to be 165 left-wing political parties, or the number of women 178 women. Whether they are land rights activists, powerful spells – was against Islam. in politics.177 bloggers, journalists or MPs; whether they are Akter was arrested in New Jersey, USA, as she : Angiza Shinwari, a councillor raising concerns in their communities, voting in tried to deliver a letter to a company refusing for Nangarhar province and a determined an election, or defying patriarchal norms by taking to pay compensation to survivors and families women’s rights defender, was killed by a commissioned by ActionAid. As discussed in 179 a job in public life as a teacher or policewoman, of those killed – the vast majority women – In bomb attack on her vehicle. many risk their safety and their lives in doing so. the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse.171 And in : Outspoken parliamentarian almost twice as likely to experience violence in Women activists from marginalised groups such Honduras, women human rights defender Gladys and women’s rights activist, Shukria Barakzai countries with weaker civil liberties than they are as ethnic or indigenous minorities, sex workers, Lanza was convicted of defamation in March narrowly escaped with her life when her migrant and refugee women, or sexual minorities, 2015 for speaking out in defence of a woman vehicle was rammed by a suicide bomber.180 face an additional layer of discriminatory backlash : Yalda Waziri, a senior from both men and women for ‘stepping out of harassment.172 line’. by unknown attackers who shot her from a motorbike.181
0640 In no region of the world are women’s rights 2.3 free from the rising threat of fundamentalisms. international arena 2.4 “While resistance from extremist groups to For instance, contrary to the aims of the recent This backlash is also playing out in international women’s human rights is not a new phenomenon, ‘Arab Spring’ pro-democracy uprisings, many arenas, further infringing on civil society space “[N]eoliberal economic policies have eroded social over the past 20 years such forces have become countries have ended up with extremely religiously and threatening to roll-back progress on women’s safety nets and deepened inequalities within most increasingly connected with greater capacity and conservative governments that have placed even rights. This includes at the Commission on the countries, increasing the economic vulnerability of 190 greater restrictions on women’s rights. Status of Women (CSW) – the largest gathering marginalised groups, including many women, who 182 UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, 2015 of governments, international agencies and civil predominate among the world’s poor.” In India, Sakshi Majaraj, a member of the recently society in order to set commitments on women’s 208 UN Women A second emerging trend undermining women’s elected far-right Hindu nationalist government, is rights. Here, countries such as Iran, Syria, Russia stoking communal violence and the oppression of and Egypt, the Holy See (which has observer women by calling for Hindu women to ‘counter a 202 rising religious fundamentalisms and conservatism status but cannot vote), as well as Christian gender equality and eradicate VAWG is the soaring growing Muslim population’ by having at least four 203 – often accompanied with heightened levels of right-backed anti-abortion groups have level of inequality within and between countries, 191 183 babies. nationalism – in countries across the world. obstructed negotiations and fought to weaken the along with the failed global development and 204 language of commitments agreed decades ago. economic policies that underpin them. 192 193 194 agendas,184 gaining traction in communities In Chile, El Salvador, Ireland, and the Philippines195 among others, the powerful disillusioned by poverty and inequality, and The growing voice of the religious right at 185 CSW makes it all the more alarming that, in an Religious fundamentalisms typically entail the criminalisation of abortions, even when women unprecedented move, women’s rights groups were re-enforcement of rigid traditional gender roles have been raped or their lives are in danger. women 205 Free trade and the rapid globalisation of markets, that place severe controls over women and their outcome document at the March 2015 session. entailing the expansion of corporate supply chains, bodies.186 Their rise is thus closely interlinked with In March 2015, the state of Indiana, USA, This is despite it being a critical moment in the power and wealth, have had major impacts on attempts to silence women, as well as closing sentenced 33-year-old Purvi Patel to 20 years in lead-up to the new Sustainable Development 206 the rights of poor women in the global South. down civil society space.187 prison under new ‘foeticide’ laws after refusing Goals. 196 The evangelical Christian right is also growing in to attract investors with policies that bestow 209 “When we talk about tax breaks to multi-billion dollar corporations while depressing wages and labour standards, of regressive laws on LGBTI,197 for example in religious fundamentalists Religious fundamentalisms can apply to Uganda.198 being anti-women, we need Such policies typically go hand in hand with the privatisation, de-prioritisation and cutting of public as the strategic deployment of extreme services. This relentless, market-led race to the religious ideology in order to secure and a growing nationalist far right199 have triggered they are not anti-women as bottom combines with prevailing discriminatory political power and control over people and a rise in Islamophobic attacks, with violence such; they are anti women’s gender norms, leading to the crowding of women communities, often at the expense of human towards Muslim women accounting for almost into exploitative export industries, where their rights. Fundamentalist ideologies seek to 60% of such reported incidents.200 In 2013, the autonomy and control of exclude, castigate, or violently punish those their own sexuality and wealthy, with little return for the women themselves. whose views fail to conform to their rigid categories.188 While religious fundamentalisms overseas fuelled by Western intervention. Their in favour of patriarchal skewed in favour of the wealthy and powerful, and which erode national policy space for developing imprisonment in privately run detention centres heterosexuality.” has led to further psychological damage, self- Ayesha Imam, rights activists from 18 countries consulted harm, attempted suicide, and alleged sexual are undermining governments’ accountability to by the Association for Women’s Rights in 201 Nigerian feminist academic citizens, allowing corporate abuse to go unchecked, Development (AWID) include being anti- 207 and crippling countries’ domestic resource base.210 and activist, 2011 women and patriarchal, violent, absolutist, These factors combine to drive the staggering 189 recent growth in inequalities within and between intolerant and anti-human rights. Threats in every region crash, with women particularly hard hit.211
0642 43 back As well as cementing women’s lesser economic women heavily, cutting jobs where women have status, violence against women bears a heavy traditionally worked, slashing public services economic cost for wider society. The World Bank which women tend to rely on more than men and puts the costs220 of intimate partner violence from 2% increasing their already disproportionate share of 221 212 care responsibilities.” ITUC In Australia, domestic and non-domestic partner violence against women and children was estimated As a result of the 2008 crash and the ensuing to cost the economy AUS $13.6 billion dollars for 2009 austerity measures imposed in many countries, alone (equivalent to almost US $11 million at today’s progress towards gender equality has been exchange rate).222 In Fiji, domestic violence has been hampered, and implementation of laws and costed at US $300 million a year, an astonishing 7% of commitments on VAWG has been held back. GDP.223 Meanwhile, women’s social and economic inequalities have worsened, placing them at increased risk of VAWG.213 Social stress caused impacts of VAWG, it should be remembered that by the crisis has caused domestic violence levels countries with high economic growth may be achieving this growth through policies that exploit and USA.214 Women who lose jobs can feel they have exacerbate women’s economic inequality, and thereby no choice but to take up riskier occupations, such their risk of violence.224 Nor does high GDP necessarily as sex work, which heightens their exposure to mean diminished levels of violence, as demonstrated VAWG.215 However, searing cuts and privatisation by the 45% VAWG rate for EU countries.225 Finally, any of services have left many women struggling considerations of costs to GDP should be weighed to access support precisely when they need it against government failures to invest in VAWG most.216 prevention and response services.226 services, such as shelters, have endured cuts or closure. Others have been replaced with gender- neutral services that fail to adequately address “Policy strategies geared 217, 218 toward economic growth or increasing general education However, governments and donors are largely failing to connect the dots and see how these levels, although necessary, structural political and economic injustices in our global system have created today’s vast close gender gaps. Targeted civil unrest, while driving women further to the bottom of the pile and exacerbating their risk of sectoral solutions are also violence.219 needed to respond to country-
227 Srey Chreb, 31, works in World Bank, 2014 the entertainment sector in Phnom Penh. Many women working in this sector frequently don't go to work out of fear of violence. Photo:
0644 SECTION 3 3 In fact, there is a worrying trend towards the de-politicisation of ‘gender inequality’, whereby 3.2 FALLING SHORT: the all-pervading dynamic of male privilege and For violence against women to end, and for a female subordination is becoming obscured.234 world where women can enjoy their human rights What needs to change For instance, in 2011 many European countries’ on an equal basis with men, their full, equal and VAWG action plans were found to be gender meaningful participation in decision-making is to end the violence essential. However, social norms denigrating consequence of gender inequalities. 235 women’s leadership abilities, their unpaid care responsibilities, a lack of funding to women’s Evidence shows that tackling VAWG holistically organisations, as well as VAWG itself, hamper and transforming the entrenched attitudes and women’s participation in public life.239 This denies behaviours that underpin gender-based violence women their right to hold governments accountable also requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral for their VAWG commitments and perpetuates 236 approach. This means establishing the means a cycle of exclusion and policy failure. As a and mechanisms whereby all relevant service result, women’s political participation worldwide providers and authorities – including shelters, healthcare providers, psycho-social support, the parliamentarians globally are women,240 while at police, judiciary, and government ministries – act current rates of progress, women won’t comprise coherently to prevent and respond to VAWG at half the world’s leaders for another 120 years.241 every level, over both the short- and long-term.237 The lack of a holistic approach is also apparent This ambitious goal may be a long way from being in the tendency of donors and governments to a reality in most contexts, but it should be the create ‘hierarchies of violence’ that prioritise ambition that actors work towards in the coming attention and funding for certain manifestations years. organisations of VAWG230 while inadequately addressing its root “Violence against women cannot be analysed women to be heard, so it is important that women causes.231 on a case-by-case basis in isolation from the come together. Unless they come together, no individual, institutional and structural factors that “Space for gender equality For instance, recent global attention to sexual govern and shape the lives of women.” Rashida strength in each other’s experiences.” on political agendas should 228 242 Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on VAWG Bandana Rana, President, Saathi ‘exceptional’, thereby “ignoring… the low-level be staunchly defended, ‘warfare’ that women and girls experience in their A major impediment to the eradication of VAWG is the hard-won gains to date By defying the barriers to their participation and homes and communities on a daily basis”.232 It can the failure by many governments and international being heard, women’s rights organisations have protected, and the safety of bodies to apply a holistic, transformative survived, stayed strong, and fought on. But approach. This would recognise how all forms of those defending women’s and despite being critical catalysts for transformative Clearly, particular forms of VAWG require context- VAWG share a common root cause – entrenched change, they are not receiving the recognition and girls’ rights secured.” power inequalities between women and men – support they need. Women’s collective action has follow years of campaigning by women’s rights Gender and Development which are embedded within, and exacerbated by, led the way in putting VAWG on the agenda and organisations. However, if not situated within 238 political and economic policies, processes and Network, 2014 advocating for change based on the lived realities a holistic framework, they risk isolating these institutions that discriminate against women.229 As of diverse groups of women. They play an essential manifestations of VAWG as somehow removed shown in this report, such structural inequalities role in delivering frontline services to survivors and from the insidious continuum of gender-based can lock women in to poverty, increasing their in addressing root causes of gender-based violence violence faced by women globally.233 exposure to violence and undermining their within their communities – including engaging men opportunities to challenge abuse. and boys to challenge discriminatory norms and practices. The value, role and power of women’s collective action in spearheading action to end VAWG243 should be recognised, championed and prioritised by the international community as a
46 47 social norms that sanction VAWG and raise countries. Encouragingly, a new code to track 3.3 awareness of rights and laws among government aid addressing VAWG as a ‘principal objective’ is 3.4 agencies, including the police and judiciary, as expected to be introduced in 2016 – just in time 255 to capture donor action on implementation of the Numerous countries refuse to ratify legally binding well as the wider public. SDGs.268 conventions, or do so with reservations that limit “Governments… have placed a high priority A lack of long-term, coordinated, multi-sectoral their implementation. Some 75 countries have on achieving gender equality and empowering 244 action among government agencies and service reservations with respect to CEDAW, while the women and girls as a central ambition of the 245 providers – such as healthcare, legal services, USA is yet to even ratify the convention. As of post-2015 sustainable development agenda... the police and the judiciary – also remains March 2015, 30 out of the 47 Council of Europe 256, 257 widespread. Meanwhile, there are huge 261 member countries were still to ratify the Istanbul aspirations into a reality.” Since 2008, the Dutch government has 246 knowledge and data gaps around the scale of Convention, the landmark European treaty on launched three gender equality funds worth 247 and Germany. 277 million Euros. This includes a fund how promising initiatives might be scaled up, of all women requires substantial funding. Yet focused on women’s organisations, providing particularly in developing countries.258 Such There are no global spaces for governments governments and the international community crucial resources for their work on VAWG.269 information is vital to strengthening understanding to be held seriously to account for their VAWG are largely failing to put their money where their 248 of what works to prevent and respond to VAWG obligations. CEDAW requires governments to mouth is. The UN Secretary General’s review of Development (DFID), reports that the number report every four years, and VAWG is regularly the implementation of the Beijing Platform for of its VAWG programmes grew by 63% from policies in this regard, and monitoring and being discussed at CSW. While important, both spaces 2012 to 2014, while the budget rose from accountable for progress.259 lack strong accountability mechanisms. And back progress, with very few states providing £19.8 million to over £131 million.270 although the regional conventions are legally information on resources dedicated to the Spain was the top bilateral donor to women’s binding (see Page 38), the UN Special Rapporteur implementation of national VAWG action plans.262 organisations in 2010 and second highest on violence against women has highlighted “Peace and development in 2011 – although the current economic limitations in their scope, prompting her and some gender equality and the eradication of VAWG. situation has seen aid levels drop.271 women’s rights organisations to call for a universal cannot happen without legally binding instrument.249 us women. We need the global mechanisms for holding corporations to account for rights violations in their supply chains international community or linked to their activities are lacking.250 to support us with policies VAWG are low,263 especially when compared to role to play, domestic revenue makes up by far but also with sustainable other funds addressing key global challenges.264 the most important source of funds for essential The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against funding. Policies and public services that prevent and respond to gaps Women, for instance, is dedicated to addressing VAWG, such as schools, clinics, shelters, and legal Although many countries have laws on violence funding that are put in place all forms of VAWG.265 Since its launch in 1997, aid. It is the most sustainable and dependable against women, some regions of the world the Fund has awarded US$103 million to 393 in consultation with us. neglect legal protections. For example, 8 out of initiatives in 136 countries.266 While a sure step and elimination of VAWG, as well as eradicating 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa Because what is the purpose in the right direction, the Global Fund to Fight the wider poverty and inequality that helps drive region have no laws on domestic violence.251 of political declarations if it AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria raises and invests such violence.272 But governments are often Regressive policies abound, such as the failure nearly US$4 billion every year to support its vital 252 doesn’t match the realities to recognise marital rape in India, or the 93 programmes in a similar number of countries.267 resources by a combination of externally advised countries that legally allow girls to marry before on the ground.” This makes its annual budget almost 40 times the age of 18 with parental consent.253 Reporting Afghan Women’s Network, larger than the entire UN Trust Fund budget since levels are also extremely low, particularly for and tax avoidance. 260 it launched. domestic violence,254 as women have little faith 2015 In 2012, total tax revenue collected in Africa was in the authorities. In order to give women the However, most donors don’t track how much of 10 times the volume of aid.273 Yet global tax rules, their overseas aid goes to tackling VAWG, making along with tax avoidance by multinationals and is needed by governments to challenge harmful wealthy individuals, are hampering developing
06 49 severely under-resourced. In 2011, AWID found estimates that developing countries lose an that the average annual income of women’s astonishing US $138 billion every year by granting organisations globally is just US$ 20,000.276 Those tax breaks to companies in a bid to attract in sub-Saharan Africa receive even less – just investment.274 over US$ 12,000 a year. So while total aid for the implementation of VAWG national action plans gender equality hit US$ 28 billion in 2012-2013, many times over. overall funding for women’s organisations was, on average, less than US$ 400 million, or just 1.4%. There are also challenges with the way aid is “If we consider that patriarchy and its institutions provided to women’s organisations. Narrow donor- are at least 10,000 years old, then the kind of driven agendas often lead to fragmented, short- 277 changes that women’s rights organisations and term ‘results-based’ funding. This undermines 278 275 and starves them of much-needed core funding. must be seen as occurring at lightning speed!” Indeed, changing centuries of oppression takes We have seen in this report how women’s time, is complex and non-linear, requiring donors organisations have been leading the charge in to move towards longer-term strategies and 279 approaches. critical for catalysing change. Yet they remain Clearly, eradicating VAWG requires the equality is…one of the engagement of men and boys as the main areas where we can blankly perpetrators of violence, as those who dominate positions of power and decision- see sexism and gender inequality. For example in against it. Women’s rights and feminist the way budgets are allocated organisations have been doing this for decades as part of their ongoing struggles. However, in the UN…or in the size there has been a recent shift in donor interest of the budgets of women’s towards the ‘men and boys’ agenda. In some cases, this has seen the championing of rights organisations around male leadership and the diversion of precious the world..” funding to support a growing number of men’s organisations and initiatives. Women’s Lydia Alpízar Durán, organisations have pointed out that this risks Executive Director, reinforcing the status quo of male domination Association for Women’s and privilege at the expense of empowering Rights in Development ActionAid-supported 280 282 garment workers in liberation. Furthermore, a recent independent (AWID), 2015 review of interventions targeting men and boys Savar, Bangladesh concluded that the outcomes of these are demand their rights under the country's uneven, and that further research is needed labour laws to understand which aspects actually lead to Photo: Nicol 281 behavioural changes. ActionAid
06 CONCLUSION “Despite the expanded… commitments to women’s Governments, donors and international development agencies must make 2015 the turning resolutions into reality and girl’s human rights… year when they transform their rhetoric into there remains a stark meaningful action to eliminate VAWG and the gender inequality that feeds it. Given the multi- gap between the global dimensional and cross-cutting nature of VAWG normative framework and how it impacts on the full range of women’s and its implementation human rights – their right to physical health and wellbeing, to sexual and reproductive health, to on the ground, signalling education, to earning a decent living, to freedom a collective failure of of movement, to participate in decision-making, even the right to life itself – addressing this blight leadership.” on women’s lives should be a priority. VAWG can UN Secretary General, trap women in poverty, constrain their choices and 283 opportunities, and deny them their potential as Ban Ki-moon, 2015 full members of society. It is the most abhorrent There has never been so much global attention manifestation of gender inequality, and represents to the issue of violence against women and girls. one of the most abhorrent collective failures by Never has such a raft of policy commitments governments and the international community to been in place, setting out the obligations and end it. frameworks for governments to act urgently to prevent, protect and respond to VAWG, to But as this report shows, women are by no means counteract prevailing cultures of impunity, and helpless victims. Women all over the world put halt this outrageous social injustice that has been wrought on women and their bodies for centuries. inequality. Women’s leadership and collective action have bravely led the way, and hold the key to achieving transformative change. As such, opportunity for galvanising the global momentum women’s organisations must be supported and and political will so urgently needed to eradicate championed, their right to participate fully and violence against women: it marks 20 years since meaningfully upheld, and the civil society space the celebrated Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,284 and 15 years since UN Security The challenges remain substantial. Progress to risk being thwarted by spiralling inequalities, prevention and peace negotiations.285 It is also the rising fundamentalisms, and clampdowns on year in which the new Sustainable Development civil society space. To address these alarming Goals set out international commitments and development priorities for the next 15 years. themselves in human rights frameworks and principles, and prioritise policies that promote eliminating all forms of VAWG in public and private accountability, democracy, peace, equality, and social and economic justice for all. Jyoty Chauhan, 26, with her 5 month-old daughter, spheres under a standalone goal on gender Tanya, at a Beti Utsav celebration in New Delhi. equality and women’s empowerment.286 This event, organised by ActionAid India, sees community members celebrate the birth of girls, challenging the tendency to value boys more highly. Photo:
RECOMMENDATIONS with sensitisation of the police, judiciary and other authorities. » Address knowledge and data gaps by including systematic data gathering on interventions, and to monitor progress on National Action Plan and VAWG SDG target implementation. » Be fully and comprehensively costed, with Show leadership in combatting » All government ministries, especially those covering health, justice, welfare violence against women and girls and education, should be mandated with by championing the anticipated implementing National Action Plans, with VAWG SDG target, ensuring it has genuinely transformative indicators developed in consultation with women’s » Be fully aligned with National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 where relevant. and accountable implementation of Where National Action Plans exist, governments this target and other global VAWG should urgently review progress and take commitments by developing a clear, measures to accelerate their full implementation fast-tracking process that catalyses (in line with the recommendations above). governments and donors to action. Provide the necessary technical assistance to Develop and implement National Action Plans support developing countries in the formation for addressing all forms of VAWG, including of National Action Plans, along with dedicated the discriminatory social norms that underpin standalone programmes and initiatives to tackle it, creating a framework and timebound violence against women. strategy for coordinated, multi-sectoral action Integrate and prioritise the eradication of to prevent, respond to and prosecute acts of violence against women and girls across all VAWG. National Action Plans should: programming, including health, education, » Be developed and implemented with economic empowerment, and humanitarian the full and meaningful participation of women’s rights organisations, including VAWG outcomes are tracked and reported on. women from marginalised groups. Support the eradication of VAWG in places » Include robust indicators and transparent of work, including global supply chains, by monitoring and accountability backing the proposed ILO Convention on mechanisms, entailing proactive gender-based violence. engagement of women’s organisations. Commit to reviewing existing international » Ensure women’s access to justice by development and human rights architecture ensuring strong legislative frameworks and accountability mechanisms for eradicating and laws are in place that guarantee VAWG to ensure gaps in implementation and the investigation, prosecution and accountability at international level can be punishment of all forms of VAWG, along addressed.
Reverse the closing down of civil society space. Protect and uphold the right of all civil society to defend and claim their rights, including freedom of assembly, and the available so that commitments to democratic right to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes from local to eradicate VAWG can be fully and global level. rapidly realised in developing countries, Recognise the particular challenges and including implementation of the SDGs’ Recognise, champion and prioritise backlash faced by women’s organisations and VAWG target and National Action Plans, women’s organisations as critical long- women human rights defenders, particularly in the context of rising religious fundamentalisms and clampdowns on civil society space, and by developing countries. against VAWG, including their unique implement coordinated mechanisms for their role in implementing and holding protection in line with the UN Resolution on governments to account on VAWG women human rights defenders. Hold all Mobilise, maximise and prioritise domestic commitments; protect civil society perpetrators to account. and democratic space for all, and VAWG National Action Plans and pay for promote women’s right to participate in accessible, gender-responsive public services. Uphold the corporate responsibility to decision-making. » respect human rights by undertaking rigorous gender-sensitive human rights Take proactive measures to protect and due diligence throughout supply chains promote women’s leadership and right to to ensure that rights to freedom of participate fully, equally and meaningfully Provide the necessary funding to developing association and assembly are being in social, economic and political decision- upheld, and that women can work making at all levels, including in peacebuilding rapid implementation of the SDG target on free from the threat and experience of and humanitarian settings VAWG and National Action Plans, along with violence; ensure access to remedy when dedicated programmes and initiatives to rights violations occurs. tackle gender-based violence. Increase dedicated, direct, long-term funding to women’s rights organisations so that they can fully realise their potential as critical partners and leaders in eradicating VAWG and ending gender inequality; support their self- Apply internationally recognised reporting mechanisms, such as the OECD Gender Marker and forthcoming OECD VAWG code, to all overseas aid in order to promote transparency and accountability, and address areas of underinvestment.
06 APPENDIX
ActionAid has calculated the rate of violence against women and girls (VAWG) globally and also measured country- used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) domestic violence module data to measure the global scale of VAWG. question, which asked women aged 15-49 if they had ever experienced violence, was used so as to reliably match data across sources.
The percent of VAWG variable was used as our dependent variable for all regression analysis as this study was
The independent variables below were chosen.
As with many assessments of violence against women and girls, availability of data was a challenge. Countries lacking VAWG data were not assigned a regional mean as a methodological and theoretical choice. VAWG varies greatly across individual contexts.
Regression analysis was used to measure the relationship between VAWG and independent variables, in all cases controlling for GDP per capita.
Variable Decription Source
GDP per capita GDP per capita World Bank Data 2010-2014
Civil Liberties Index created using the Freedom House civil liberties Freedom House Index Freedom of the Freedom of Expression and Belief (4 questions), World annual Associational and Organisational Rights (3), Rule of reports Law (4), and Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights (4). The highest score that can be awarded to the civil liberties checklist is 60 (or a total score of 4 for each of the 15 questions). Most recent data available used for each country of interest.
Gender Index measuring the gender inequality in each country HDI GII Inequality of interest. (0-1; 1 = complete gender inequality/ Index disparity)
'Aba' is 10 and lives in Degdege, Brong Ahafo, Ghana Photo:
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