International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Nov. 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is an occasion for governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to raise public awareness of violence against women. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It is exploitation, sexual violence, honor crimes, forced early marriages, domestic violence and sex trafficking. These and other forms of violence cause untold human suffering and has a profound effect on our communities. With devastating statistics and a desire for change, The United Nations created the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in 2000.

Take a look at these United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) statistics. They are disturbing and are a call to action. Violence against women jeopardizes the progress and prosperity of the world.

• In South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 hours by an intimate partner.
• In Guatemala, two women are murdered, on average, each day.
• Between 40 and 50 percent of women in European Union countries experience unwanted sexual advancements, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at their workplace.
• More than 60 million girls worldwide are child brides, married before the age of 18, primarily in South Asia (31.1 million) and sub-Saharan Africa (14.1 million).

As you can see with these alarming statistics, violence against women is an issue around the world. Locally, it is no different. Here are a few statistics to describe the epidemic taking place in our country.

• 83 percent of girls aged 12-16 experienced some form of sexual harassment in public schools.
• An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
• As many as 1 in 4 women experience physical and/or sexual violence.
• As many as 2.8 million children run away each year. Within 48 hours of being away from home, one-third of these children are lured or recruited into prostitution and pornography.
• Approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors.

According to the U.S. Department of State, strengthening the prevention of and response to violence against women and girls is of vital importance to the interests and overall foreign policy of the United States. Women are an invaluable source in peace-building and conflict resolution. A woman's education is linked to increased national income and improved health. Additionally, women are known to drive economic growth. Violence against women prevents them from fully contributing to their communities.

With the statistics listed above and the information given from the U.S. Department of State, we hope that you will observe this day. Every source of awareness and education helps prevent violence in future generations. It is crucial that our children grow up believing in Every Relationship Violence-Free, regardless of whether it is an intimate relationship or not. We all need to respect the women in our lives and appreciate the contribution they have made into making our world a better place.

http://jacksonville....iolence-against

[sandinista! 1,816]

Thank you for posting this maven, hard as it was to get through without breaking down.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** one derogatory baiting post removed, and several quoting. This is a serious issue, stay respectful- everyone. Part of a post returned below. *****

October is a marketing campaign made by a BS organization (Susan G Komen) that doesn't do anything for research, and would rather spend millions of dollars defending their slogan than actual research.

As far as the 'violence against women' awareness and laws they continue to try and pass, stop and think REAL hard about this one. When you point out a group set them aside in a different light from everyone else you are making them different. You can't want equality and scream for it all day long and then pass laws that are not equal. It's a crock. Do you know how many women in the US hit, beat, stab, shoot, etc.. their spouses and it's treated as a scarlet letter because the 'weaker sex' beat them up. Of course truth is, most real men won't hit a woman back and that's how that happens, but hey. I guess facts of life don't matter.

If you're creating a law that takes care of one group and ignores another, then you are creating a scenario for animosity in the populace against said group. Continued bigotry, continues sexism, etc...

[decocker 7,198]

Do you know how many women in the US hit, beat, stab, shoot, etc.. their spouses and it's treated as a scarlet letter because the 'weaker sex' beat them up. Of course truth is, most real men won't hit a woman back and that's how that happens, but hey. I guess facts of life don't matter.

you obviously do not have any female relatives or friends who have been abused. consider yourself lucky.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

*** one derogatory baiting post removed, and several quoting. This is a serious issue, stay respectful- everyone. Part of a post returned below. *****

Thank you - sorry for quoting.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

you obviously do not have any female relatives or friends who have been abused. consider yourself lucky.

Some people can look at statistics like that and mock them.

[sandinista! 1,816]

Some people can look at statistics like that and mock them.

my first inclination is to want to believe that they're just ill, or not right in the head. that's so hopeful, right? but it's actually because they're just despicable individuals.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

my first inclination is to want to believe that they're just ill, or not right in the head. that's so hopeful, right? but it's actually because they're just despicable individuals.

Let's hope they never have daughters.

[Darnell 8,478]

I am happy an International Day has been called for and there's tons of stats out there, published by that group.

No, no twisting, at all - it really is a great thing they are doing.