Eliminating Violence Against Women

It could be physical, sexual, economic or even psychological. These are the forms of violence against women. Women and girls inclusive have regularly been victims of molestation, physical beatings and maltreatments which results in broken hearts, broken homes and hatred for people.

These forms of violence are interrelated and affect women from birth to old age. Some types of violence, such as trafficking, cross national boundaries.

In unison, the world is rising to eliminate violence against women. For this reason, every November 25 is set aside to reinvigorate the campaign against violence.

According to United Nations, “Violence against women is a human rights violation. Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women.

Violence against women, the UN believes impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security.

An analysis by WHO with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Medical Research Council, based on existing data from over 80 countries, found that globally 35 per cent of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.

This analysis states that most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (30 per cent) of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner, in some regions this is much higher.

A Gender report in 2012 says that “Up to one third of Nigerian women report that they have been subjected to some form of violence. One in five has experienced physical violence.”

According to the report, “Violence against women is unacceptable, archaic, barbaric and unconstitional in Nigeria. Such violence meted against women includes: trafficking, circumcision, sexual harassment, physical beating et al. Nigerians in unison need not stay aloof even as the world unite to eradicate this abnormal situation.”

Speaking on the title “Uniting to end violence against Women and Girls” at an event held at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, earlier this year, the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, noted that there are institutional problems limiting the efficacy of the campaign against women abuse. One of such problems is ‘inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and difficulties with the judicial system.’

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