Violence against women is one of the most frequent acts against human rights, but often it goes unreported. Violence is experienced by every third girl and woman, and is also a common cause of death. Sexual violence has been present for centuries.
On this year’s International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, the United Nations shared some of the ways violence can appear, including partner violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, and child marriage.
According to the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, ‘any act of gender-based violence that results in, or including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life’ is considered violence against women.
The UNiTe to End Violence against Women campaign will emphasize the issue of rape for two years, calling attention to the initiative and ‘Orange the World’.
According to Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, rape causes significant physical and mental harm. She emphasized that there can be several long-term consequences both for the individual and her environment.
WHO research also detailed these consequences, including physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health, the probability of depression, abortion, diseases and problems with alcohol.
According to statistics, 70% of women experienced some form of violence in the US, 65% in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and 40% in South Asia and the Andean parts of Latin America. Even countries where it is less frequent, the percentage is relatively high. Psychological violence is also very frequent, especially via social media. LGBT women migrants and refugees, and indigenous minorities are especially vulnerable.
Mlambo-Ngcuka explained, that most cases remain unreported because in many countries they are ‘more likely to be blamed than believed’ and they do not want to re-live the experience.
Violence is an obstacle to equality, and this year’s International Day will commemorate the fight against violence and rape.
Some steps against sexual violence could be made, including placing women in positions of power and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement.