EMPOWERMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF WOMENWOMEN

FOR ENDING VIOLENCE FOR ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST AGAINST WOMENWOMEN

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.

Violence against women and girls in Africais on the increase.

More violent forms, such as femicide, acid attacks, ritual rapes and murders, gang rapes, abductions, defilement and forced early marriages, Military sexual slavery, rape as a weapon of war, trafficking in women and girls and ill-treatment of widows have become more widespread.

In spite of treaties, (the Protocol to the the African Charter) conventions, legislation and policies against some cultural practices the situation of women in Africa continue to be vulnerable to harmful traditional practices and customs such as FGM and widow inheritance, which expose them to the risk of HIV and AIDS

there is a palpable feeling that legislation there is a palpable feeling that legislation alone is not enough to achieve equality in alone is not enough to achieve equality in Africa, that it is not sufficient to change Africa, that it is not sufficient to change perceptions, or cultures of sexism – the perceptions, or cultures of sexism – the types of cultures which are permissive to types of cultures which are permissive to gendered violence happening. Even with gendered violence happening. Even with an increasing number of women in an increasing number of women in parliament in some of the countries and parliament in some of the countries and increasing legislation to prevent increasing legislation to prevent discrimination and violence on the basis of discrimination and violence on the basis of gender, a culture of masculinity prevails. gender, a culture of masculinity prevails. Why is that?Why is that? Unequal power relationships continue Unequal power relationships continue

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMENEMPOWERMENT OF WOMENTO END VAW- WHAT CAN WE DO?TO END VAW- WHAT CAN WE DO?

Obtaining data on violence against women – use these to show the economic and social cost of VAW as well as emotional and psychological impact on the affected person

It is important that the extent, nature and root causes of such violence are well-documented. By analysing such information, concrete steps can be taken, both legal and charitable, to reduce the occurrence of such violence and reduce its effects.

Increase access to opportunities for women- empower women to avoid abusive relationships - empower women, free them to leave behind abusive relationships

Build capabilities of women- including physical capabilities/ create awareness/ prevention programmes/ crisis counselling & support groups

Make ending VAW every one’s concern; everyone’s business: The boys in your life need your time and energy. Your son, grandson, nephew, younger brother, your male colleague. The boys you teach, coach and mentor. All need you to help them grow into healthy men. The girls in your life what are you teaching them above all what do they see!

THE UN has identified violence against THE UN has identified violence against women and girls "the most pervasive" women and girls "the most pervasive" human rights violation that we know today. human rights violation that we know today. Statistics from the world over, paint a clear Statistics from the world over, paint a clear picture of the social and health picture of the social and health consequences of violence against women. consequences of violence against women.

According to the United Nations According to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), violence against women is a major cause violence against women is a major cause of death and disability for women aged 16 of death and disability for women aged 16 to 44 years to 44 years

The economic costs are considerable. The economic costs are considerable. Such violence impoverishes not only Such violence impoverishes not only individuals, but families, communities, and individuals, but families, communities, and governments, and stalls economic governments, and stalls economic development of each nation development of each nation

A POEM FOR YOUR A POEM FOR YOUR REFLECTION:REFLECTION:

We had our first argument last We had our first argument last night, and he said a lot of cruel night, and he said a lot of cruel

things that really hurt me.things that really hurt me.

I know he is sorry and didn’t mean I know he is sorry and didn’t mean the things he said, because he the things he said, because he sent me FLOWERS TODAY.sent me FLOWERS TODAY.

I got FLOWERS TODAY.  It wasn’t I got FLOWERS TODAY.  It wasn’t our anniversary or any other our anniversary or any other

special day.special day.

Last night he threw me into a wall Last night he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.and started to choke me.

It seemed like a nightmare, I It seemed like a nightmare, I couldn’t believe it was real.couldn’t believe it was real.

I woke up this morning sore and I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.bruised all over.

I know he must be sorry because I know he must be sorry because he sent me FLOWERS TODAY.he sent me FLOWERS TODAY.

I GOT flowers today, and it wasn’t I GOT flowers today, and it wasn’t Mother’s Day or any other special Mother’s Day or any other special

day.day.

Last night, he beat me up again, it Last night, he beat me up again, it was much worse than all the other was much worse than all the other

times times

If I leave him what will I do?  How will I If I leave him what will I do?  How will I take care of my kids?take care of my kids?

What about money?  I am afraid of him What about money?  I am afraid of him and scared to leave.and scared to leave.

But I know he must be sorry because But I know he must be sorry because he sent me FLOWERS TODAYhe sent me FLOWERS TODAYHow How

do you help someone like this?do you help someone like this?

How do you empower someone How do you empower someone like this?like this?

Paulo Freire speaks about Paulo Freire speaks about conscientisation process:conscientisation process:

Identify the individualIdentify the individual

Engage in dialogue/ ReflectionEngage in dialogue/ Reflection

Lead to ActionLead to Action

Is your Neighbour, your sister, your friend Is your Neighbour, your sister, your friend being abused? How do you engage to being abused? How do you engage to facilitate empowerment?facilitate empowerment?

The answer to ending violence The answer to ending violence against women is first and against women is first and foremost based on unequal power foremost based on unequal power relations…The answer to end relations…The answer to end violence lies with you as it is such violence lies with you as it is such a complex issuea complex issue

THANK YOUTHANK YOU