1. Violence Against Women
Hope Turyasingura Center for Domestic Violence Prevention WOUGNET workshop
Hotel Africana Kampala, Uganda 2nd June 2010

2. Definition of violence against women (VAW)
The United Nations defines VAW as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

3. Definition cont…
Violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to;
Violent
Cruel
Brutal
Inhuman
degrading acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women of all ages.

4. Forms/categories of VAW
Violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography.
Violence against a woman is a crime, and a violation of her human rights.

5. Forms/categories cont…
Physical violence
Sexual
Emotional
Economical
Traditional harmful practices

6. Physical violence (physical pain)
Hitting with objects/on wall, beating, punching, slapping, kicking, biting
Cutting with sharp instruments (axe, panga, knife, broken bottles e.t.c)
Burning with hot water, acid, fire, hot irons
Hair pulling
All these mostly by spouses (domestic violence)

7. Emotional/psychological violence (hurting feelings and emotions)
Refusal to eat meals at home
Prolonged silence
Comparing you with other women
Blaming you for everything that goes wrong
Isolation (keeping you from spending time with friends and family)
Over possessiveness/jealousy
Threatening to hurt you/children/relatives
Late coming

8. Economical violence (control of resources)
Control of all family resources (financial, labor, time, land, animals e.t.c.)
Denial or refusal to engage in gainful employment
Taking away ones income or produce
Refusing/denying a partner/spouse to own property
Destruction of property
Refusal to provide the needs
Refusing a partner/spouse to participate in financial decision-making.

9. Sexual violence (control of sexuality)
Rape (public/marital)
Defilement
Incest
Attempted rape/defilement
Extra marital relationships/multiple sexual partners/unfaithfulness
Human Trafficking for prostitution purposes
Insertion of foreign objects in the partner /spouse’s genitals (sticks, bottles or pouring red pepper)
Forced oral sex
Forcing someone to watch sexual acts
Sexual harassment

10. Traditional harmful practices
Forced early marriages
Female genital cutting
Widow inheritance
Denial of inheritance rights
Denial of eating certain food stuffs
Woman belonging to the whole clan
Polygamy

11. during conflicts and crises
Location
It takes place in;
homes
in communities
on the streets
in schools
in churches
the workplace
in farm fields
refugee camps
during conflicts and crises

12. Who are the perpetrators?
Fathers
Stepfathers
Grandfathers
God fathers
Husbands
Brothers
Cousins
Uncles
Neighbors

13. Perpetrators cont… Boda Boda riders, Taxi drivers and conductors
Family friends
Teachers
Colleagues at school
Colleagues and bosses at work places
Religious leaders
Strangers

14. Root causes of VAW
Violence against women is about power and control.
The root causes of all forms of VAW lie in a society’s attitudes towards and practices of gender discrimination (roles, responsibilities, limitations, privileges, and opportunities afforded to an individual according to gender)

15. Root causes of VAW
Male and societal attitude of disrespect or disregard for women
Lack of belief in human rights for all
Lack of knowledge for human rights
Lack of value for women and women’s work
All the above lead to male dominance/patriarchy/abuse of power

16. Contributing factors (perpetrate/increase risk)
Alcohol/drug abuse
Religious, cultural/family beliefs and practices
Inadequate laws against VAW
Poverty
Different education levels
Inter-marriages
Different religious affiliations
Different political inclination
Age differences
E.t.c.

17. Consequences of VAW
VAW affects all kinds of women every day. It doesn't matter what race or culture you come from, how much money you have, how old you are, or if you have a disability. Violence does not discriminate.
A wide range of physical, mental, sexual , socio-economical and reproductive, and maternal health problems result from VAW

18. The link between VAW and HIV/AIDS
“Violation of women’s rights through Violence is both a cause and a consequence of HIV/AIDS.”
– UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNIFEM in
Women and AIDS: Confronting the Crisis, p. 45
HIV infection as a consequence of VAW (both biological and social vulnerability)
VAW as a consequence of HIV infection (social vulnerability)

19. Challenges of addressing VAW
Domestic violence is still socially sanctioned.
Perpetrators believing that they are victims
Culture Impunity (perpetrators not held accountable)
Inadequate interventions (community and institutional)
Inadequate public policy and legislation
Gender insensitive laws and policies
Insensitive JLOS
Lack of political will to address VAW

20. Conclusions
VAW is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights.
Violence by an intimate partner is one of the most common forms of VAW
A wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive, and maternal health problems result from VAW.
Low social status of women in society is the root cause of VAW
Many women do not seek help or report violence when it occurs.
Not all men are abusive, but overwhelmingly, men are the major perpetrators and women are majority of the victims

21. Conclusion cont…
Violence against women is a chosen action against a woman or girl child simply because of her gender, simply because she is female.
Violence against women cuts across race, religion, income, class and culture.
Violence Against Women is deeply embedded in all cultures, so much so that millions of women consider it a way of life.
A call for zero tolerance of VAW
No one deserves to be abused in any way

22. Recommendations
Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention ( address the root causes and contributing factors)
Integration of VAW prevention and response in all programs
Institutional change; implementation of new procedures (education, health, judiciary e.t.c)
Multi sectoral approach: Coordination with other sectors e.g. JLOS, health, microfinance and social welfare sectors e.t.c
Human rights based approach

23. "Commit, Act , Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women!".
Thank you!
"Commit, Act , Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women!".
Questions and Comments