- In addition to being a health and human rights issue, VAW&G is an economic issue.
- Fiscal and monetary policies have an immediate and lasting impact on gender-based violence.
- Men and boys must become active participants in the movement to end gender-based violence.
- When there is no demand for prostitution, because purchasing it is illegal, there is little supply.
- There is a big gap between the commitment to addressing VAW&G and implementation in most countries around the world.
- Data on VAW&G is very limited; some countries are beginning to collect and track this information but many do not.
- While there were related goals, the MDGs lacked commitment to ending VAW&G. There is hope that the Post-2015 agenda will make it a top priority, as part of broader objectives for equality.
- Impunity for perpetrators is one of the greatest challenges in the fight to end VAW&G.
- VAW&G in the Middle East is largely misunderstood in Western Countries.
- Domestic violence is the least reported and most common form of VAW&G.
- Migrant women face multidimensional vulnerability.
- The issues of violence against girls are inordinate and distinct.
- The UN estimates that 200 million girls are missing worldwide as the result of femicide.
- Violence against women is preventable.
- The work to end VAW&G is making progress.
Commission on the Status of Women 57th Session
Dates: 3 – 15 March 2013
Location: In and around the United Nations, New York
Program: 57th Commission on the Status of Women: elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls
Format: Multiple sessions, side events (128) and parallel events (350)
Organization: UNWomen and NGO CSW, member states (131), working groups, civil society, private partners and media (6,000 delegates from 800 organizations)
Noteworthy Speakers: Michelle Bachelet (UN Women) Lakshmi Puri (UN Women), Navi Pillay (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad (Jordan’s Ambassador to the UN) Mrs Ban Ki Moon (Wife of the UN Secretary-General) First Lady of Zambia, Rashida Manjoo (Special Rapporteur on VAW, UN Women) Noor Al-Jehami (DOHA) Bineta Diop (Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarite) Abigail Disney (documentary film maker – Pray the Devil Back to Hell) Dan Seymour (UNICEF Chief of Gender and Rights) Soon-Young Yoon (Chair NGO CSW NY)
- Consultation Day (side event)
- Communications for Change: Emerging Tools for VAW Prevention (parallel event)
- Investing in Peace? VAW, Militarism and Budgeting for Security (parallel event)
- Girl Activists – outcome document input (facilitation)
- Expert Panel on Promotion of Access to Justice in the Context of VAW (parallel event)
- Women and Violence: Human Rights Activism through Arts and Film (parallel event)
- Social Control – as a means of violence (side event)
- Working Group on Girls (WGG) Girls’ Tribunal (parallel event)
- Trafficking of Women and Girls – A form of Violence against Women: The EU’s Response (side event)
- Challenges and achievements in the implementation of MDGs for Women and Girls (preparatory panel)
- Stop the Violence: Girls at the Frontlines of Prevention (side event)
- Key Gender Equality Issues to be Reflected in the post-2015 Development Framework (preparatory panel)
- International Women’s Day 2013 – A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End VAW (side event)
- Panel Discussion on Global Estimates on Prevalence of VAW, Health Impacts and Health Sector Guidelines to Address VAW (high-level side event)
- Why Do Men Use Violence and How Do We Stop It? (side event)
- Gender-motivated Killings of Women, Including Femicide (side event)
- Arab Spring: A Chance or a Risk for Women’s Rights (side event)
- What is the Price of VAW&G? Capturing Costs and Consequences (side event)
- Exploring the Evidence in Preventing VAW (side event)
- Ending the Abuse of Authority for Purposes of Sexual Exploitation (side event)
- The Influence of Faith on the Elimination of VAW&G (side event)
- Custodial VAW and Its Causes and Consequences (side event)
- Laws on VAW Presented by Women Judges (side event)
- Effective Remedies for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (side event)
The insights and information that were collected during the CSW do not constitute a comprehensive perspective on the elimination and prevention of violence against women and girls (VAW&G) but instead only reflect the sessions that were attended. Given this caveat, please consider the following summary report on CSW57.
Key Messages
- In addition to being a health and human rights issue, VAW&G is an economic issue.
- Fiscal and monetary policies have an immediate and lasting impact on gender-based violence.
- Men and boys must become active participants in the movement to end gender-based violence.
- When there is no demand for prostitution, because purchasing it is illegal, there is little supply.
- There is a big gap between the commitment to addressing VAW&G and implementation in most countries around the world.
- Data on VAW&G is very limited; some countries are beginning to collect and track this information but many do not.
- While there were related goals, the MDGs lacked commitment to ending VAW&G. There is hope that the Post-2015 agenda will make it a top priority, as part of broader objectives for equality.
- Impunity for perpetrators is one of the greatest challenges in the fight to end VAW&G.
- VAW&G in the Middle East is largely misunderstood in Western Countries.
- Domestic violence is the least reported and most common form of VAW&G.
- Migrant women face multidimensional vulnerability.
- The issues of violence against girls are inordinate and distinct.
- The UN estimates that 200 million girls are missing worldwide as the result of femicide.
- Violence against women is preventable.
- The work to end VAW&G is making progress.
Violence against Women and Girls (VAW&G)
Information by Topic
Human Rights
Women and girls need to be educated about their human rights so that they recognize the violence against them as a violation of those rights. Leaders and professionals also need to be educated about their rights. In most developing and developed countries, doctors, nurses, policemen/women, judges, lawyers, human resources professionals, and teachers receive little or no training on VAW&G.
The UN should acknowledge a woman’s right to live free from violence by including it in a human rights based Post-2015 agenda that focuses on equality. Water and sanitation, education, maternal health, land rights and ownership, poverty, sexual and reproductive rights, climate change and natural disasters and all issues relevant to VAW&G. The MDGs galvanized governments around the world and addressed many of these human rights issues. Unfortunately, gender equity issues were not a focus and were not reported on as distinct outcomes. Sex aggregated data was not captured and national averages obscured gender-inequalities in MDG reporting. Sex-aggregated data must be part of future goals if we are to address the inequalities that contribute to VAW&G and acknowledge them within a human rights framework.
A Middle Eastern Perspective
CEDAW has done a lot to progress human rights for women around the world. However, its impact has been limited in the Middle East and is considered by many there to be a tool for Western control. Many of the speakers from that region suggested that the tendency to blame culture and religion for human rights violations, such as VAW&G, is not at all helpful. They feel that Islam, patriarchy and VAW&G are being thrown together in the western perspective, blurring the truth in such a way that the real issues are no longer apparent. The women speaking indicated that poverty, not cultural tradition and religion, is what spurred women into action during the revolution in Egypt. They suggested that political and economic structure analysis would be a more instructive: soaring food prices, state funding cuts, male unemployment and other reasons for a perceived loss of masculinity that are really contributing to VAW&G.
It is important, when considering VAW&G, to remember there are huge differences between countries in the Middle East. ‘Arabic women’ and ‘Arabic culture’ vary enormously. It is incorrect and insulting to lump them together. A number of speakers indicated that the international community should stop trying to ‘help’ women in this region; it is just making it harder for women to get real equality and human rights. Women’s human rights cannot be measured by laws on the books or representation in parliament and making these things the focus is not beneficial.
Social conservatism has grown in a backlash against the disorder of the uprising, but also in reaction to these types of pressures. Meanwhile, the reality on the ground is that VAW has increased since the Arab Spring, but so have women’s human rights. The biggest women’s protest ever (20,000 marchers) took place in Cairo after the blue bra incident. Gang rape is now actually being discussed publicly, which certainly never happened before. A more holistic approach is needed. This is not the women’s movement of the 1950s.
Violence against Women in Conflict Zones
Women are often targets of violence in conflict and post conflict areas. Systematic violence is perpetrated by the police and military in these situations, and frequently involves rape and torture. Countries transitioning from conflict to post-conflict have a unique opportunity to end these and other forms of VAW&G. However, because women are often under-represented (or not represented) at the negotiating table, their needs are not considered in peace building plans.
In the post Arab Spring, systematic violence has largely been used to target female activists and reporters. In Tunisia, Bahrain and many other Arab Spring countries gang rape and torture are being used regularly as a weapon to put down resistance. In Egypt women are not in leadership or negotiating roles and they have been brunt of many violent and sexual attacks. In addition, trafficking, FGM and early marriage have not been included in the new constitution. Women in Tahrir Square were declared ‘prostitutes’ on public television by military leaders.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence is the least reported and most common form of VAW&G.
- South Africa has one of the highest levels of domestic violence and rape in the world, on average, 3 women a day are killed.
- 2 out of 3 women in Nicaragua have experienced domestic violence; almost all of them remain silent out of fear.
- 39% of women are subjected to domestic violence in Turkey.
- Half of all homicides in Australia are connected to domestic violence. There have been 156 such deaths per year over the past 10 years.
- There are 9,000 protective order filings a year in one county in Maryland alone.
- Statistically, victims are at greatest risk just after the perpetrator has been served with a protective order.
A temporary protective or ‘stay away’ order will be granted by the courts in the US for; bodily harm, fear of imminent bodily harm (subjective or objective), assault, rape or other sexual offense, stalking, or abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Permanent protective orders can be issued after 7 days. Perpetrators are arrested if either of these orders is violated.
Unfortunately, in the US, protective orders have had limited success in preventing women and girls from domestic violence. It is estimated that only 20% of the women subjected to domestic violence ever get a civil protection order. Only about 42% of temporary petitions filers come back for a permanent orders. Of the 20 domestic homicides in Philadelphia only one had an active protection order. Migrant women on spousal visas are especially vulnerable because they are often unwilling to report domestic violence for fear of being deported.
However, there is hope. Eighty countries have at least one ongoing study on intimate partner violence. Previously there were none.
Trafficking
At $32 billion annually, trafficking is the second biggest source of revenue for criminals after the drug trade, and growing year on year. While largely recognized as an intolerable violation of human rights at the UN, discussions and resolutions have in actuality achieved very little. There is an enormous gap between commitment and action, and the focus has erroneously been on source, rather than destination, countries. Complicating potential solutions even further are barriers embedded in structural factors, such as; impunity for perpetrators, gender stereotypes, social exclusions, and economic frameworks. Victims of trafficking are often treated like undocumented migrants in the US. The Internet, which is increasingly being used for the recruitment of victims and for advertising services, is also hindering progress.
Most countries are stymied by a lack of political will and poorly placed attempts to address the consequences of trafficking, rather than the root causes, but not all. In Lithuania, a national coordinator for trafficking in persons was appointed in 2007. Vulnerable groups were determined to be: the unemployed, handicapped, special needs, victims of domestic abuse and drug abusers. Approaches to address trafficking there include: education campaigns on TV and radio, hotline numbers on basic food packages, info posters at sporting events, monitoring hits on certain websites and online recruitment, targeting youth unemployment, programs for victims, protection for victims giving testimony, and initiatives to address attitudes about gender. Sweden, Norway and Iceland have made the purchase of sexual services illegal and in so doing, significantly reduced the number of trafficked women and girls from coming into their country.
Trafficked victims are exploited in agriculture, construction, the textile industry, healthcare, domestic service and the sex industry. It is estimated that there are 20.9 million forced laborers in the world; 11,700,000 in Asia-Pacific; 3,700,000 in Africa.
Trafficked persons in the EU are segmented as follows: 76% sexual exploitation, 14% forced labor, 6% other, 3 forced begging, 1% domestic servitude. 70% women, 17% men 11% girls, 2% boys. However, these percentages vary greatly from region to region.
Sexual exploitation
In general, trafficked women represent 56% of forced labor and 90% of sexual exploited victims. It is estimated that criminals are behind 85% of all prostitution. The root causes of sexual exploitation usually include; poverty, traditional practices, lack of education, patriarchal values, gender inequalities and legal system shortcomings.
Based on the position that buying sexual services from a person is a violation of their dignity and therefore their human rights, Sweden’s success story validates the theory that no demand will eventually lead to little or no supply. In Sweden, the laws that criminalize the purchasers of prostitution were instituted in 2000, although controversial at the time, by 2010 they were fully supported by 70% of the Swedish population. There was a 50% reduction in prostitution in those 10 years and the trend continues. 500 people were convicted in Sweden in 2011 for purchasing sex. Following their success, it is now also illegal to buy sexual services in Norway and Iceland, and France and Ireland are considering implementing similar laws.
In a large study done in the Asia-Pacific region, it was found that 25% of men who buy sex also think that rape is ‘OK’. The root causes of sexual exploitation, mentioned above, can be found in many regions and directly contribute the prevalence of rape. In Pakistan, according to the Hudood Ordinances, women are required to produce 4 male witnesses before they can accuse anyone of rape.
Civil society is working hard to address these root causes and to protect and support those who are most vulnerable. Women and girls in disaster areas are particularly at risk. MADRE has a successful program of giving out whistles to those who are living in the post-earthquake camps in Haiti to alert the other women in the camp to help when they are in danger.
Girls
Girls are most vulnerable to abuse because of gender discrimination and lack of empowerment. The low value placed on girls in many cultures subjects them to exclusion, exploitation and violence. The following forms of violence are unique or predominantly relevant to girls:
Sexual and domestic violence
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- Domestic violence as experienced by girls is a growing phenomenon and gaining recognition. Globally it is estimated that 1 in 5 girls under the age of 15 experience sexual abuse, most often by a male family member.
- Worldwide up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16.
- A 2002 project estimated that 150 million girls under 18 were subjected to some form of sexual violence that year.
- 67% of girls in Nepal are abused by their teachers.
- The Campus Sexual Assault Act, part of the newly passed VAWA, requires colleges to include reports of dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in their annual crime statistics.
- Only 20 US states have passed legislation on teen dating violence.
FGM
Female genital mutilation (or cutting) involves the removal of some part of the female genitalia and is classified into 4 types: clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and other. The procedure can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, cysts, infections, infertility, complications during childbirth and an increased risk of newborn death.
FGM is often motivated by beliefs about proper sexual behavior, mainly linked to premarital virginity and marital fidelity. Though no religious faith prescribes it, those who practice FGM often believe the practice is religiously supported.
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- People of all religions are practicing FGM around the world.
- 120 million females have undergone some form of FGM and 2million girls are at risk each year.
- FGM is a valid reason for asylum (for mother and daughter) in most US states.
Early and forced marriage
Child brides are almost always put in a dependent situation with the husband and his family, who are often violent toward them. They are largely powerless and without any support system.
Child marriage takes place in more than 50 developing countries around the world. Child brides are more likely to experience injury or death as the result of violence and maternal mortality.
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- 39,000 girls are forced into marriage every day.
- In Malawi 50% of girls are married before they turn 15, often to older men.
- A government minister in Nigeria just married a 13-year-old girl after divorcing his 15-year-old wife.
Trafficking and prostitution
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- 2 million girls between the ages of 5 and 15 become commercial sex workers each year.
- 50% of trafficked persons are children.
- Many young Nepalese girls are trafficked to Saudi Arabia where a Kefala (bonded) System exists.
Honor killings
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- According to government statistics, half of all murders in Turkey are honor killings. In Istanbul alone, at least one person dies this way each week.
- 943 Pakistani women and girls were murdered last year for allegedly defaming their family’s honor.
Gendercide
“Of all of the reasons women and girls are being killed; gangs, drugs, trafficking, witchcraft, racism, and honor killings, femicide is the possibly the worst, least known about and hardest to prevent.” Michele Bachelet
Gendercide (also known as Femicide) includes; sex-selective abortions, infanticide and all lethal violence against a certain gender at any stage of life. It is particularly prevalent in China and India.
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- There are currently 37 million more men in China than there are women.
- The Chinese Academy of Science predicts that China will have 40 million more boys than girls under the age of 20 by 2020.
- In Haryana, India, the sex ratio has been reported to be 830 females for every 1000 males.
The UN estimates that 200 million girls are missing worldwide as the result of gendercide. Immediate steps must be take to stop this form of violence against women and girls through; legal frameworks that make it a crime, early intervention, safe houses/shelters for women and their daughters, raising awareness and changing attitudes.
The Economics of Violence against Women
VAW&G is most commonly understood in the context of public health and human rights, not economics and development, but advocates and lobbyists are moving in this direction as a way to develop political will and help governments determine the most effective programs. However, they are keenly aware that a cost-benefit analysis must always reflect what is happening on the ground and be of benefit to victims / potential victims.
This new NGO initiative is auditing states’ budgets and analyze them regarding gender equity, military, education spending and employment, because all of these things are affecting equality and vulnerability, which is affecting violence against women and girls. Post 2015 goals should address macro-economic policies and key structural barriers to equality.
Not only do fiscal and monetary policies have an impact on gender-based violence, overseas development assistance does too. The World Bank is becoming increasingly involved in the issues of VAW. Their most recent World Development Report included gender equality, and more specifically, VAW and women’s access to justice. Unfortunately, the UN Trust Fund for VAW will only be able to satisfy 1% of the requests for investment in this issue. More money must be raised.
Austerity measures are having a devastating impact on women because they are cutting back on services while increasing pressures. It is widely believed that austerity measures will lead to an increase in VAW&G because of the financial stress and unavailability of support programs they will create. Girls are particularly at risk because they are the most vulnerable group in a society. Girls are the first to be pulled out of school, forced into marriage, made to go without.
Data about VAW is not consistently collected and analyzed in developing countries, however, it is estimated that the expense of lost income plus treatment costs are equal to approximately 1.4% of GDP. Australia acknowledges that it is probably low but has estimated the cost of VAW&G in their country at 1.1% of GDP, which is A$14 billion per year.
Media
Social media is being used to address social norms, persuade men and boys to change their attitudes, educate women and girls about their rights, and put pressure on governments. It can also be used for listening and better understanding.
Social media works best when it is part of a larger campaign that compliments and facilitates ‘the message’. Half the Sky is a social media success story. It started with a book but through social media has developed into a movement, which has supported a documentary and now a game.
Social media and media can also have very negative impacts.
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- Violent and sexual threats and bullying are propagated using social media.
- 97% of 12-14 year old boys in Denmark have already seen pornography.
- 55% of girls in the UK feel stressed about the way they look, often because of what they’ve seen in the media. The repercussions for these girls are that they are likely to be; less physically active, increasingly depressed, often submissive and more vulnerable to drugs and alcohol abuse.
Men and boys
It has become increasingly apparent that men and boys must be actively involved in stopping VAW&G if it is to be successful.
Women’s movements have resulted in aggression and backlash in many countries. This has largely been the result of men trying to hold onto privileges, facing increasing competition, feeling vulnerable, feeling like they aren’t living up to expectations of masculinity, etc. Men’s perspectives needs to be understood; not indulged, but understood in these situation so that they can be addressed.
In a study of 10,000 men aged 18-49 in the Asia-Pacific region (Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and PNG), drivers effecting men’s VAW were identified as being; entitlement or control, masculinity notions, experiences of violence as a boy, boredom, insecurity, and anger. Surprisingly alcohol was a relatively inconsequential factor.
Increasing numbers of civil society organizations are working with men, and for women, to change these attitudes and actions. They conduct research, offer support, have focused events, promote awareness and education, and fund conferences and speakers in order to address these issues.
Another factor contributing to men’s attitudes stems from the general impunity men have from prosecution for VAW&G. Most women are afraid and don’t come forward about gender based violence. In many countries, the process of bringing charges has no privacy or consideration for the emotional and mental state of the victim and the repercussions for speaking out can be deadly. In addition, doctors, nurses, policemen/women, judges, and lawyers receive very little or no training so the process is often poorly handled at all levels.
The Bottom Line
What’s working
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Community leader led movements.
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Raising critical consciousness by reflecting on power in a way that is not judgmental
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Focusing on power concepts rather than violence
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Benefit focused suggestions – why it is in your best interest
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Working toward healthy respectful relationships
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Approaches that include multiple contexts.
What’s not
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Solely NGO lead interventions
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An over-emphasis on gender roles rather than respect
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Blaming discussions
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Short-term approaches
Successful Programs
Stop the Violence Curriculum – Girl Scouts and Girl Guides partnering with UN Women with help from the YMCA/YWCA and other international orgs. Voices against Violence will reach 5 million people in the next 7 years and includes; a non-formal education curriculum at the community level, safe spaces to discuss violence, co-educational opportunities, and a global awareness campaign. UN country programs will be taking it to minsters and teachers.
MADRE has a successful program of giving out whistles to those who are living in the post-earthquake camps in Haiti to alert help when they are in danger. (Click on http://madreblogs.typepad.com/mymadre/2010/10/video-distributing-whistles-and-saving-lives.html to watch a clip on this program)
SASA promotes community mobilization and new social norms by creating activists within communities to communicate the message and encourage change.
Operation GOLF is a joint effort between the UK and Romania that led to the arrest of 87 criminals exploiting Roma children and to the recovery of 272 trafficking victims.
One-Stop Centres in South Africa for female victims of violence; providing data collection, access to health services, counseling and legal advice.
White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end VAW&G, promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.
Resources
Websites
The Communications X-change – a library of 425 resources (and growing) from 180 organizations, in 46 countries, on violence against women and girls. http://xchange.futureswithoutviolence.org/
UNWomen Global Virtual Knowledge Center to end Violence against women and girls is an evidence- based programming resource. Available in English, Spanish and French, it bring together lessons learned and recommended practices gleaned from initiatives by women’s organizations, civil society, governments and the UN.
Anti tech-related violence campaign
https://www.takebackthetech.net/
World Assoc of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts’ Voices against Violence announced at CSW57 http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/take_action/violence
Films
Within Every Woman – 680,000 Japanese sex slaves from China, the Philippines and Taiwan
It’s a Girl – forced abortion, gendercide, and forced sterilization in rural China.
Too Young to Wed – UN project to protect girls’ rights and end child marriage
Song
One Woman – launched to celebrate International Women’s Day at CSW57
Outstanding presenters
Diana Dwarte, Media Coordinator for MADRE
Christine Kaseba the First Lady of Zambia and newly appointed Good Will Ambassador for WHO.
Next Year’s CSW
CSW58 Priority theme: Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls