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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for violence against women, girls
87 results foundAuthor: Behrendt, A. Title: Tradition and rights: female genital cuttings in West Africa Summary: This publication examined the practice of female genital cutting in West Africa, looking at prevalence, the types of excision, and the age at which it is performed. As noted, the reasons why it is carried out are many and complex; including a perceived need to control female sexuality and to initiate girls into womanhood. The justification for the practice stems from the very heart of a society's social and cultural norms and is inextricably linked to the construction of female identities. Female genital cutting has it roots in profound beliefs that deserve to be, and need to be dealt with sensitively and from a perspective of understanding in order to engage communities in a constructive dialogue about changing societal norms and abandoning the practice. Societal norms can not be overturned from one day to the next. Legislation against the practice of female genital cutting is necessary, but as our research has shown, it is not sufficient. There should, however, be no doubt that female genital cutting is harmful and can leave girls and women facing a lifetime of physical and mental consequences that may never be overcome. Plan has worked with the issue of female genital cutting since 1996 when it first began a program in Mali. In line with the organisation's mission, it has adopted a participatory approach in its work to assist communities to abandon the practice. Together with local partners much has been done to develop "enabling environments" rooted in the local context, where dialogue about the abandonment of the practice can take place. This work has transformed female genital cutting in Mali, for example, from being a completely taboo subject to one that can - at least - be discussed in public. In other countries, such as Guinea, Plan's work on female genital cutting is at its inception. While it is impossible and dangerous to generalise, the practice of female genital cutting appears to be on the decrease in West Africa. Increased reflections on this ancient tradition and its validity have begun, for example, to change the way it is carried out. The final result of these movements towards change and transition are not yet know. We do not know how the next generation of excised and non-excised girls will grow up alongside each other. We are, however, convinced, that continued constructive dialogue with communities will accelerate the pace at which communities change their norms and behaviours, and take collective decisions to abandon the practice of female genital cutting. Details: Senegal: Plan International, 2006. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2014 at: http://www.plan-uk.org/resources/documents/27624/ Year: 2006 Country: Africa URL: http://www.plan-uk.org/resources/documents/27624/ Shelf Number: 133750 Keywords: Female Genital Cutting (West Africa)Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "They Burned It All": Destruction of Villages, Killings, and Sexual Violence Summary: In late April, 2015, South Sudan's government began a multi-pronged military campaign in Unity state to recapture territory under the control of rebels headed by the country's former vice president Riek Machar. In the course of the military operations in central Unity state, government forces, fighting alongside militia from the Bul Nuer ethnic group, committed serious violations of international law that may constitute both war crimes and crimes against humanity. The violations include killings of civilians, widespread violence against women and girls, including rape, the systematic pillage of civilian property including theft of cattle and routine burning of civilian homes and infrastructure. Government soldiers also killed civilians and burned civilian property during their attacks into southern Unity state. The result has been the forced displacement of tens of thousands of people who have lost the homes and food they need to survive. Based on over 170 interviews conducted in June and July with survivors and witnesses who were displaced by fighting or attacks on their villages, "They Burned It All": Destruction of Villages, Killings, and Sexual Violence in South Sudan's Unity State documents more than 60 unlawful killings of civilian women, men and children, including the elderly, some by hanging others by shooting, or being burned alive. Human Rights Watch calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately end the serious abuses that have persistently characterized South Sudan's current conflict, and for all stakeholders to take meaningful steps to provide justice to the victims through the establishment of an independent hybrid court and/or the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Human Rights Watch also urges the United Nations Security Council and African Union to immediately impose a comprehensive arms embargo on South Sudan. Details: New York: HRW, 2015. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 24, 2015 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/southsudan0715_web_0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Sudan URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/southsudan0715_web_0.pdf Shelf Number: 136157 Keywords: HomicidesHuman RightsViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: West Midlands Police and Crime Panel Title: Tackling Female Genital Mutilation in the West Midlands Summary: Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision or cutting, is a collective term for procedures which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs, or injury to the female genital organs, for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. FGM is medically unnecessary, is extremely painful, and has serious health consequences, both at the time of the procedure, and in later life. It can also be psychologically damaging. A number of girls die as a direct result of the procedure, from blood loss or infection. In the longer term, women who have undergone some form of FGM are twice as likely to die in childbirth, and four times more likely to give birth to a still born child. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it - illegal to practice FGM in the UK - illegal to assist a girl to mutilate her own genitalia - illegal to take girls who are British Nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it is lawful in that country; - Illegal to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad; An offence under this act has a maximum penalty of up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine. Female genital mutilation is physical abuse, and whilst it is perceived by parents not to be an act of hate, it is harmful, it is child abuse and it is unlawful. It has long lasting significant implications for those who have the procedure performed on them. Details: Birmingham, UK: West Midlands Police and Crime Panel, 2015. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2015 at: http://westmidlandspcp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WMPCP-Tackling-FGM-in-the-West-Midlands.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://westmidlandspcp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WMPCP-Tackling-FGM-in-the-West-Midlands.pdf Shelf Number: 136294 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Middelburg, M.J. Title: Implementation of the international and regional human rights framework for the elimination of female genital mutilation Summary: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the practice of partially or totally removing the external female genitalia or otherwise injuring the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is often believed to be a requirement for marriage and necessary to control women's sexuality. FGM is a reproductive health and human rights concern that has devastating short-term and long-term impacts on the lives of women and girls. The procedure is risky and life-threatening for the girl both during the procedure and throughout the course of her life. FGM is considered a harmful practice and a form of violence against women Before the 1990s, the international community did not view violence against women in general and more specifically FGM as a major issue. If violence against women was recognized as an issue at all, it was seen as under the purview of national governments, not a subject of international law. Violence against women was widely viewed as a private act or a domestic matter carried out by private individuals. For this reason FGM was initially placed beyond the scope of international human rights law. This changed in the 1990s with the global movement against violence against women. Landmark events were the adoption of General Recommendation No. 14 on female circumcision (1990) and General Recommendation No. 192 on violence against women (1992) by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The Committee explicitly included violence against women as a matter falling under the scope of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and thus under international human rights law. The World Conference on Human Rights (1993) was another landmark event. The concluding document, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, expanded the international human rights agenda to include gender-based violence. It advocated the importance of "working towards the elimination of violence against women in public and private life, and the eradication of any conflicts which may arise between the rights of women and the harmful effects of certain traditional or customary practices." A few months after the conference, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. This was another key step, as it recognized FGM as a form of violence against women for the first time. In article 2, the declaration expressly stated that "Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following: female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women." Although not legally binding, this declaration strengthened the growing international consensus that gender-based violence is a human rights violation. Details: New York: UNFRA, 2014. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: https://pure.uvt.nl/portal/files/5332551/Paper_UNFPA_New_York.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: https://pure.uvt.nl/portal/files/5332551/Paper_UNFPA_New_York.pdf Shelf Number: 136620 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationGender-Based ViolenceHuman Rights AbusesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Broadband Commission for Digital Development Title: Cyber Violence against Women and Girls: A world-wide wake-up call Summary: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is already a problem of pandemic proportion; research shows that one in three women will experience some form of violence in her lifetime. Now, the new problem of cyber crime could significantly increase this staggering number, as our research suggests that 73% of women have already been exposed to or have experienced some form of online violence. With social networks still in their relative infancy, this is a problem that urgently needs to be addressed if the Net is to remain an open and empowering space for all. - The sheer volume of cyber VAWG has severe social and economic implications for women's status on the Internet. Threats of rape, death, and stalking put a premium on women's emotional bandwidth, take-up time and financial resources including legal fees, online protection services, and missed wages. Cyber VAWG can have a profoundly chilling effect on free speech and advocacy. - Women aged 18 to 24 are at a heightened risk of being exposed to every kind of cyber VAWG; they are uniquely likely to experience stalking and sexual harassment, while also not escaping the high rates of other types of harassment common to young people in general, like physical threats. - In the EU-28, 18 per cent of women have experienced a form of serious Internet violence at ages as young as 15. This corresponds to about 9 million women. - Complacency and failure to address and solve cyber VAWG could significantly impede the uptake of broadband by women everywhere; without action, an unprecedented surge of 21st century violence could run rampant if steps are not urgently taken to rein in the forms of online violence that are escalating unchecked. Details: Geneva, SWIT: The Commission, 2015. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2015 at: http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/reports/bb-wg-gender-report2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/reports/bb-wg-gender-report2015.pdf Shelf Number: 136923 Keywords: Computer CrimeCybercrimeInternet CrimeOnline VictimizationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: National Gender and Equality Commission Title: National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework towards the Prevention of and Response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kenya Summary: Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a human rights violation, developmental concern and a public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), GBV is, "Any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person's will, and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females." Gender based violence includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering; the threat of such acts; and coercion and other deprivations of liberty. The term "gender-based violence" is often used interchangeably with (but not synonymous to) the term "violence against women". The different forms of GBV include physical, sexual, emotional (psychological), and economic violence, and harmful traditional practices. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys experienced sexual abuse before attainment of 15 years. The Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2008-09) showed that almost half (45 percent) of women aged 15-49 have experienced either physical or sexual violence. The 2011 police crime report documented 2,660 cases of defilement and 130 cases of sodomy. The Violence Against Children study undertaken in Kenya in 2010 corroborated the existing trends of GBV in the country. According to the study, nearly one in three females and one in five males experience at least one episode of sexual violence before reaching age 18, an experience that can shape their futures in terms of their attitudes towards violence, their adoption of risky behaviors and their emotional health. The Commission of Inquiry into Post Election Violence (CIPEV) Report (2008)3 noted that approximately 524 or 80% of survivors of GBV treated at the Nairobi Women's Hospital suffered from rape and defilement, 65 or 10% from domestic violence with the remaining 10% from other types of physical and sexual assault. The report further observed that some victims of sexual violence already had HIV/ AIDS and others contracted it as a result of being raped and being unable to access medical services in time to reduce the chances of or prevent infection. LVCT Health's data on sexual violence from supported health facilities in the country recorded 4,944 cases of sexual violence in 2014. Women and girls constituted 90.8% of the cases whereas children under the age of eighteen accounted for 61.9% of all survivors reported by LVCT Health. In 2011-2012, the Nairobi Women's Gender Violence Recovery Centre recorded 2,532 cases of sexual violence. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: The Commission, 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2015 at: http://www.ngeckenya.org/Downloads/National-ME-Framework-towards-the-Prevention-Response-to-SGBV-in-Kenya.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.ngeckenya.org/Downloads/National-ME-Framework-towards-the-Prevention-Response-to-SGBV-in-Kenya.pdf Shelf Number: 137040 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSodomyViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Fulu, E. Title: What works to prevent violence against women and girls evidence reviews. Paper 2: Interventions to prevent violence against women and girls Summary: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide, affecting one-third of all women in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of death and disability of women of all ages and has many other health consequences. VAWG is a fundamental barrier to eradicating poverty and building peace. To prevent VAWG, we need to address the underlying causes of the problem. Evidence shows that no single factor causes violence, nor is there a single pathway to perpetration. Violence emerges from the interplay of multiple interacting factors at different levels of the social 'ecology', as discussed below. These include genetic endowment, experiences of violence and abuse in childhood, relationship dynamics, household and community structures and social norms, the macro-level and global-level forces that shape prevailing norms, access to resources, gender roles and the relative power of men versus women. Interventions that have the potential to reduce rates of VAWG are, similarly, many and varied: they may target one or more risk factors and operate across single or multiple settings. 1.1 What Works global programme and evidence review This paper is the second in a series of four evidence reviews that were produced by What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls (What Works). What Works is a UK Department for International Development (DFID)-funded global programme that is investing an unprecedented $25 million over five years to assist with the prevention of VAWG. It supports primary prevention efforts across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, which seek to understand and address the underlying causes of violence in order to stop it before it starts. The papers were produced to assess the current state of research and the evidence base in order to inform the research agenda of the ensuing global program. The focus of What Works is to advance the field of primary prevention in particular, however this is understood to be closely aligned with response efforts. The papers therefore focus on prevention, although response mechanisms are also considered, particularly in Paper 3. The outline of the four papers is as follows: Paper 1: State of the field of research on violence against women and girls Paper 2: Interventions to prevent violence against women and girls. Paper 3: Response mechanisms to prevent violence against women and girls. Paper 4: Approaches to scale-up and assessing cost effectiveness of programmes to prevent violence against women and girls. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: What Works to Prevent Violence, 2015. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: http://www.whatworks.co.za/documents/publications/15-global-evidence-reviews-paper-2-interventions-to-prevent-violence-against-women-and-girls/file Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.whatworks.co.za/documents/publications/15-global-evidence-reviews-paper-2-interventions-to-prevent-violence-against-women-and-girls/file Shelf Number: 137348 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectGender-Related ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Holden, Jenny Title: We Want to Learn About Good Love: Findings from a Qualitative Study Assessing the Links Between Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) - including learning about relationships, gender and gender-based violence (GBV), sex, sexuality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) - can empower young people to make informed, autonomous decisions regarding their current and future relationships. CSE may also influence a positive shift in social norms which underpin violence against women and girls (VAWG), such as harmful notions of masculinity, and rigid gender roles and stereotypes - both in schools and the wider community. Drawing on global evidence on CSE interventions and primary and secondary research in Cambodia and Uganda1, this report explores the extent to which CSE may be a key mechanism to promote gender equality, shift harmful social norms and prevent VAWG. This report finds compelling evidence that CSE can be seen not only as part of a quality education, but also as part of a holistic approach to preventing VAWG. However, more evidence on 'what works' in changing attitudes on gender equality and reducing VAWG as part of CSE delivery is needed. Details: London: Plan International UK and Social Development Direct, 2015. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: http://www.plan-uk.org/assets/Documents/pdf/we-want-to-learn-about-good-love Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.plan-uk.org/assets/Documents/pdf/we-want-to-learn-about-good-love Shelf Number: 137347 Keywords: Educational ProgramsGender-Related ViolenceSex EducationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Our Watch Title: Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence Summary: No country in the world has a national, evidence-based road map to prevent violence against women and their children in a coordinated way. Our Watch partnered with VicHealth and ANROWS to create Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. Ending violence against women and their children is a national priority. Work is already being undertaken across a range of sectors - by governments, nongovernment organisations, researchers and practitioners - to change the attitudes, behaviours and environments that perpetuate this violence. But much of this work happens on a small-scale or in isolation from other projects. Violence cannot be prevented project by project - coordination and collaboration is fundamental to our success. The National Framework to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children brings together the international research, and nationwide experience, on what works to prevent violence. It establishes a shared understanding of the evidence and principles of effective prevention, and presents a way forward for a coordinated national approach. Details: Melbourne: Our Watch, VicHealth, ANROWS, 2015. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: http://www.ourwatch.org.au/getmedia/1462998c-c32b-4772-ad02-cbf359e0d8e6/Change-the-story-framework-prevent-violence-women-children.pdf.aspx Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ourwatch.org.au/getmedia/1462998c-c32b-4772-ad02-cbf359e0d8e6/Change-the-story-framework-prevent-violence-women-children.pdf.aspx Shelf Number: 137351 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectFamily ViolenceGender-Related ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Phillips, Janet Title: Domestic violence: Issues and policy challenges Summary: Domestic violence is a serious issue affecting millions around the world. - The most pervasive form of violence experienced by women in Australia is violence perpetrated by a male intimate partner, commonly referred to as domestic violence. However, it is important to acknowledge that men and same sex relationships partners can also experience this form of violence. - The underlying causes of domestic violence are complex with the result that there is a great deal of confusion and misinformation reflected in the public debate. However, there is general agreement that gender inequality, power imbalances and controlling behaviours within relationships are key determinants. - Community attitudes towards gender roles, sexuality, domestic violence and sexual assault can strongly influence both the prevalence of domestic violence and disclosure/reporting rates. The language commonly used around this form of violence in the community can also trivialise or minimise the seriousness of the experience. Surveys have found that demographic factors such as age, country of birth and socio-economic status have only a limited influence on attitudes, but that those with low levels of support for gender equality are the strongest predictors for holding violence-supporting attitudes. - Reasons for non-reporting incidents of domestic violence are complex but may include fear of the perpetrator, fear of not being believed or of being blamed, feelings of confusion, shame and embarrassment, fear of psychologically reliving the incident, or a reluctance to acknowledge the incident ever occurred. - While most do not report incidences of domestic violence to the authorities, many seek advice or support from family members, friends or community services. Given that psychological responses to domestic violence can be complex, experts argue that proactive support services focusing on therapeutic emotional and psychological interventions may be more effective in encouraging disclosure and providing assistance than the criminal justice system in many instances. - A wide variety of strategies have been employed to tackle domestic violence in Australia and internationally. Although many of the strategies to prevent domestic violence have now been ongoing for some decades, there is still a lack of reliable evidence as to what works. However, there is some evidence in the US that an integrated approach supported by sustained government funding may be effective in addressing the issues. - Australia and comparable countries have much lower rates of domestic violence than many countries with higher levels of gender inequality. A WHO international review on the prevalence of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence notes that the global variation in the prevalence of violence against women highlights that this form of violence is not inevitable and can be prevented or reduced. - The Council of Australian Government's central initiative designed to address domestic violence is the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The National Plan has been received very positively by most stakeholders and commentators, but some argue that ongoing, integrated resourcing and funding across all jurisdictions is crucial in order to effect long-term change. - Most are in agreement that this is a difficult problem requiring complex and coordinated responses, not one-off, sporadic initiatives and funding commitments. It is generally argued by most stakeholders and commentators that integrating responses and initiatives across the community, all jurisdictions and all levels of government is the best way to promote equality and reduce this form of violence. Details: Sydney: Parliamentary Library, 2015. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper Series, 2015-16: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1516/DVIssues Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1516/DVIssues Shelf Number: 137421 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Title: The Depths of Dishonour: Hidden Voices and Shameful Crimes. An inspection of the police response to honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation Summary: This is the first time that Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has inspected and reported upon the police service's response to crimes of honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Further, it is the first time that any inspectorate within England and Wales has examined the service provided to victims2 of these crimes, actual and potential, supported by the most powerful of insights, from victims themselves. It is one of the most important reports ever produced by HMIC. Crimes committed in the name of so-called honour are despicable and damaging; they may be life-changing or life-threatening; in some cases, they end in death. Forced marriage is a specific crime that is equally serious, equally damaging. Female genital mutilation is not a requirement for any religion but it is a practice that reaches across numerous cultures to ruin the lives of many women and girls. This report provides information and analysis for the public about how police forces respond to, investigate, and protect victims of these appalling and damaging crimes. It provides a baseline on which police and other public sector agencies can build to establish effective responses to victims. It should also focus the minds of those organisations to work together to prevent others from becoming victims in future. Details: London: HMIC, 2015. 191p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-depths-of-dishonour.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-depths-of-dishonour.pdf Shelf Number: 137804 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationForced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceHonor-Based ViolencePolice Policies and ProceduresPolice-Community PartnershipsViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: TNS Opinion & Social Title: Reducing Violence against Women and Their Children: Research Informing the Development of a National Campaign Summary: The research, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), shows that although most Australians agree domestic violence is wrong, too often we blame the victim, excuse men and minimise disrespectful behaviours and instances of gender inequality. According to the research, many of us learn from an early age to condone or excuse disrespectful or aggressive behaviour towards girls and women. The main research findings include: - from an early age, young people begin to believe there are reasons and situations that can make disrespectful behaviour acceptable - girls blame themselves, questioning whether the trigger for the behaviour is potentially their fault, rather than questioning the behaviour of the male - boys blame others, particularly the female, and deflect personal responsibility telling each other it was a bit of a joke - it didn't mean anything - adults accept the behaviour when they say 'it takes two to tango' or 'boys will be boys' - we think the cost of doing something is too high - as parents, we worry about embarrassing our child, or even ourselves. As teachers or coaches, we're not sure how far to go - so without realising it, we make gender inequality and disrespectful behaviour acceptable. The research was conducted with young males and females aged 10-17 and their influencers - these included parents, siblings, teachers, sporting coaches, managers and community leaders across Australia. The Government will use the research to inform the development of a $30 million national campaign, due to begin early next year, to reduce violence against women and their children. Details: Sydney: Australian Government Department of Social Services, 2015. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 9, 2016 at: https://www.dss.gov.au/women/publications-articles/reducing-violence-against-women-and-their-children Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://www.dss.gov.au/women/publications-articles/reducing-violence-against-women-and-their-children Shelf Number: 137820 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectDomestic ViolenceGender-Related ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Frawley, Patsie Title: What does it take? Developing informed and effective tertiary responses to violence and abuse of women and girls with disabilities in Australia: State of knowledge paper Summary: This paper establishes the current state of knowledge on tertiary responses to violence and abuse for women and girls with disabilities. The paper outlines: -tertiary responses to violence and abuse for women and young women with disabilities; and -what the evidence says about the effectiveness of tertiary responses for women and young women with disabilities Details: Alexandria, NSW: Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: State of Knowledge Paper, Issue 03: Accessed February 25, 2016 at: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/s3fs-public/3_3.4%20Landscapes%20Disability.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/s3fs-public/3_3.4%20Landscapes%20Disability.pdf Shelf Number: 137961 Keywords: DisabilitiesDisabled PersonsViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: European Parliament. Directorate-General for Internal Policies. Policy Department C Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs Title: Forced Marriage from a Gender Perspective Summary: This study provides an overview of the practice of forced marriage in the EU from a gender equality and women's rights perspective. It analyses the definitions of forced marriage and puts forward a definition from a gender perspective. It also provides an overview of the relevant international/EU legislation, policies and deliberations, as well as national policies, civil law and criminal law (in the 12 Member State that criminalise forced marriage). For those Member States that criminalise forced marriage, the study provides an assessment of the effectiveness and possible consequences of the implementation of the criminal legislation, including an analysis of data and case-law. The study includes a specific chapter focusing on forced marriage within Roma communities and five case-studies specifically focusing on Denmark, Germany, Spain, Slovakia and the UK. The study also puts forward recommendations for improving the response to forced marriage at EU and Member State level. Details: Luxembourg: European Parliament, 2016. 241p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 25, 2016 at: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2016/feb/ep-study-forced-marriages.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2016/feb/ep-study-forced-marriages.pdf Shelf Number: 137962 Keywords: Forced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Cold-Ravnkilde, Signe Title: Boko Haram: From local grievances to violent insurgency Summary: It is estimated that Boko Haram has killed more than twenty thousand people since 2009, making it the world's deadliest terror organisation that threatens to destabilise not only Nigeria, but the entire region of the Sahel. Since the inauguration of a regional multi-national joint task force heavily supported by western international security actors, attacks in the affected neighbouring countries has increased remarkably. This suggests that more international and regional military responses might in fact fuel more attacks by Boko Haram. Rather than rephrasing decontextualised discourses of trans-Saharan terrorism, this new DIIS report by Signe Cold-Ravnkilde and Sine Plambech suggests that international support to the fight against Boko Haram should be based on a careful understanding of the complex local and regional dynamics of conflict. The report provides an overview of the situation and the historic development as well as suggesting a number of policy recommendations. -There is a dire need to ensure that the current military operations do not repeat the mistakes of the Nigerian security forces in 2013: human rights violation and economic sanctions that may transform a jihadist uprising into a people's revolt. - Gender norms and how men and women are affected by and take part in the insurgency both as combatants and protesters against Boko Haram should be taking into account in policy makers' response to the insurgency. -Insecurity in Nigeria and the affected neighbouring countries requires a comprehensive approach including socio-economic perspectives on contending local incitements to engage in illicit economic and terrorist activities. Details: Copenhagen: DIIS - Danish Institute for International Studies, 2015. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 25, 2016 at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/DIIS_Report_21_Boko_Haram_WEB.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Nigeria URL: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/DIIS_Report_21_Boko_Haram_WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 137976 Keywords: Boko HaramExtremist GroupsViolence Against Women, GirlsViolent Crime |
Author: International Alert Title: 'Bad Blood': Perceptions of children born of conflict-related sexual violence and women and girls associated with Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria Summary: This research found that girls and women kidnapped by Nigeria's insurgent group, Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-da'wa wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, face mistrust and persecution upon their return to society. International Alert and UNICEF carried out the research in Borno in northeast Nigeria to understand the impact of communities' and authorities' perceptions of these women, girls and their children on safety, rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities. The report provides policy and programming recommendations to ensure that reintegration and relocation plans are conflict sensitive and support child protection and peace-building outcomes. Details: London: International Alert; Abuja, Nigeria, UNICEF Nigeria, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 29, 2016 at: http://www.international-alert.org/sites/default/files/Nigeria_BadBlood_EN_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Nigeria URL: Shelf Number: 137996 Keywords: Boko HaramConflict-Related Sexual ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: United Nations Refugee Agency Title: Initial Assessment Report: Protection Risks for Women and Girls in the European Refugee and Migrant Crisis Summary: For the first time since World War II, Europe is experiencing a massive movement of refugees and migrants, women, girls, men and boys of all ages, fleeing armed conflicts, mass killings, persecution and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Many seek refuge in Europe from the ongoing armed conflicts that have torn apart their societies, and are entitled to protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention, its subsequent Protocol, and other international instruments. From January to November 2015, Europe witnessed 950,469 refugee and migrant arrivals through the Mediterranean, with Greece receiving the vast majority of arrivals (797,372). Those arriving by sea are fleeing the Syrian Arab Republic (49%), Afghanistan (20%), Iraq (8%), Eritrea (4%), Nigeria (2%), Pakistan (2%), Somalia (2%), Sudan (1%), Gambia (1%) and Mali (1%). The majority travel to Turkey, from where they undertake a treacherous journey by sea to Greece and then make their way through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria in an attempt to reach their destination countries, including Germany and Sweden. Each day brings new arrivals, and accurate data remains a challenge. Refugees and migrants are travelling en masse, striving urgently to reach their destination from fear of border closures, potentially increased restrictions in asylum policies and the onset of winter. It is a dangerous journey, with refugees and migrants often facing high levels of violence, extortion and exploitation along the way, including multiple forms of SGBV. Single women travelling alone or with children, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, unaccompanied children, early-married children - sometimes themselves with newborn babies - persons with disabilities, and elderly men and women are among those who are particularly at risk and require a coordinated and effective protection response. Concerned by the protection risks faced by women and girls, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) undertook a joint seven-day assessment mission to Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in November 2015. This report describes the assessment's findings and key recommendations for the European Union (EU), transit and destination country governments, humanitarian actors and civil society organizations (CSOs). The assessment found that women and girl refugees and migrants face grave protection risks and that the current response by governments, humanitarian actors, EU institutions and agencies and CSOs are inadequate. The findings emphasize the urgent need to scale up response efforts, implement innovative solutions and strengthen protection mechanisms and services across borders to adequately address the protection threats facing women and girls. In this particular crisis, Europe's response needs to match its international obligations, responsibilities and stated values. There is a need for the European Union, as well as relevant governments in Europe, with the support of protection and humanitarian actors, to strengthen resources dedicated to ensuring effective protection, especially for persons with specific needs and those who are at heightened risk in this crisis. Details: (S.L.): UNHCR, 2016. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 4, 2016 at: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/EuropeMission_Protection_Risks_19_Jan_Final_0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/EuropeMission_Protection_Risks_19_Jan_Final_0.pdf Shelf Number: 138042 Keywords: Gender-Related ViolenceMigrantsRapeRefugeesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Rights of Women Title: Creating a Clear Pathway for Practice: Working Towards more Effective Responses to Survivors of Forced Marriage Summary: This report documents the findings of a series of events held in Cardiff, London, Manchester and Sheffield by Imkaan and Rights of Women to reflect on local and regional responses to forced marriage in 2015. This project follows our previous analysis of legal and support responses to forced marriage reported in "This is not my destiny". Reflecting on responses to forced marriage in England and Wales (Imkaan and Rights of Women 2014). Our key learnings from these events were as follows:- Sector engagement The events attracted a range of agencies across different sectors. The types of agencies most likely to attend included violence against women and girls (VAWG) organisations and refuge providers, both mainstream and BME-led (n=20; 19 %), representatives from the criminal justice system (CJS) (n=15 at 14%) and local authorities (n=14 at 13%). Overall, there were lower rates of attendance from statutory health services and a notable absence of the education sector across all of the events. The lack of educational input, aside from an Ambassadors' network of teachers in London, was further highlighted in the workshop feedback where a number of participants identified the important role of schools and other educational institutions in crisis-based interventions, early intervention, and prevention. Challenges and barriers a) Internal: Internal organisational factors emerged in relation to development and internal management of work on forced marriage, e.g. managing priorities and workload; lack of critical reflection and supervision; failure to locate responsibility for the work with a senior enough manager or lead. Gaps in and lack of consistent partnership working were also identified as a barrier to good practice. b) Knowledge: Access to practice-based knowledge to improve current responses was raised. For example, some participants admitted not knowing what to ask victim/survivors, whom to refer them to, feeling unclear about the specific roles and responsibilities of different agencies, and to having a lack of trained staff. A lack of clarity around what 'consent' means in the context of forced marriage was also flagged up as an area where professionals would benefit from further advice or support. c) Interaction with women and girls: Organisational contact with women can still too often result in poor and inconsistent treatment of women and girls, with a number of organisations raising concerns about racism, discrimination, questioning the authenticity of young womens' accounts and experiences. d) Funding and resources: There were specific concerns about the lack of investment in and availability of frontline specialist support services across the country to address both the short and longer-term needs of women and girls, e.g. refuge provision, outreach, advocacy and support with access to housing and education. e) Under-use of current criminal offences: There were a number of concerns about the under-utilisation of the range of potential existing criminal offences, such as offences under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997. This was linked to a concern that whilst forced marriage is recognised as part of a continuum of violence against women and girls which covers a range of existing criminal offences this did not always result in action being taken by the police. This is a well-known problem for the police dealing with calls or reports of domestic violence. In addition to the new criminal offences there are a range of other offences often committed in forcing someone to marry. Participants raised concerns about the complexity of the new legislation, and the evidential difficulties for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in securing a conviction, an adverse consequence of this being that some parents felt more confident about coercing women into marriage, without the fear of punishment. f) Deterrence in reporting due to the new criminal offences on forced marriage: Police officers and BME women's organisations shared their concerns about some women 'going off the radar', following initial contact with the Police. It was raised that in situations where the police had (correctly) advised women about potential prosecution of parents via the new criminal offence1 (prosecutions which could possibly proceed without her consent), women and girls had disengaged with the police officer providing support. This was often as a consequence of women's fears about the potential repercussions and feelings of conflict that inevitably arise in connection with the prosecution of close and loved family members. This highlights a serious issue around the nature of reporting and the negative repercussions of criminalisation which requires urgent consideration, as it can result in vulnerable women not accessing appropriate support and returning to situations of violence. g) Cultural assumptions/stereotypes: A number of participants described 'culture' as a challenge in their practice when thinking about the barriers to responding to forced marriage. Whilst there were some encouraging discussions to illustrate that survivors do not necessarily fall into any 'typical community' there is an on-going tendency to frame forced marriage as a problem of 'culture', and as a phenomenon which only impacts on particular Black and minority ethnic groups, i.e. specific groups within South Asian communities which can and does lead to racist/ discriminatory practice. Whilst forced marriage can have a disproportionate impact on some groups, forced marriage is more appropriately placed and dealt with by placing it on the continuum of VAWG, which highlights the interconnections with other forms of abuse that are likely to co-exist in the same family environment. In this way, professionals would be more alert to potential vulnerabilities and support needs of women and girls. A number also felt that preconceived stereotypes about 'culture' and 'community' also prevent the development of wider, more effective and inclusive strategies of community engagement. Details: London: Rights of Women, 2016. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2016 at: http://rightsofwomen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Creating-a-clear-pathway-for-practice.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://rightsofwomen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Creating-a-clear-pathway-for-practice.pdf Shelf Number: 138158 Keywords: Forced MarriageViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Taylor, Bruce Title: Assessing Different Levels and Dosages of the Shifting Boundaries Intervention to Prevent Youth Dating Violence in New York City Middle Schools: A Randomized Control Trial Summary: In this report we present the results of an experimental evaluation based on a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a dating violence and sexual harassment (DV/H) prevention program - called the Shifting Boundaries (SB) Program. We randomly assigned 23 public middle schools in New York City to one of four treatment conditions of SB varying by dosage and saturation levels. The project includes a baseline and two follow-up surveys with 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to assess short to medium term impact on rates of DV/H. The intervention we tested had two main components. First, we had an SB classroom curriculum (SBC), covering the consequences for perpetrators of DV/H, laws and penalties for DV/H, and respectful relationships. Second, we had an SB school (building-level) (SBS) component which included the use of school-based restraining orders, higher levels of faculty and security presence in areas identified through student mapping of safe/unsafe "hot spots," and the use of posters to increase awareness and reporting of DV/H. We examined (1) the effects of saturating a school environment by providing the SB intervention to all three middle school grades compared to only two grades or one grade and (2) the effects of two dosages of SB across two years compared to one dosage of the SB intervention across one year. Participating students ranged in age from 10 to 15, with a nearly 50% split between boys and girls. Our sample was 26% Hispanic, 37% African American, 16% Asian, 14% White and 7% "other." Over 40% of the sample had prior experience with a violence prevention educational program. Nearly half reported at least one experience of being in a dating relationship. At baseline, about one in five respondents reported having ever been the victim of any physical dating violence, with a similar number reporting perpetrating any physical dating violence. One in ten respondents reported having been the victim of any sexual dating violence ever (6.4% for perpetration of this act). Almost 60% of the sample reported having ever been the victim of any physical peer violence at some point in time (45% perpetration), and 18.1% were ever the victim of sexual peer violence (8% perpetration). Also, 49% reported experiencing sexual harassment (SH) at some point in time (23% perpetration). Our overall results indicate that providing the SB treatment to only one grade level in middle school does just as well in terms of peer violence and dating violence outcomes as a more saturated process of treating multiple grades. At both the 6-month and the 12-month assessments, however, there was evidence that additional saturation beyond one grade is associated with reductions in sexual harassment victimization. Schools that delivered SB to both 6th and 7th graders (compared to just 6th graders) showed reductions SH victimization reports at 6 months post treatment, an effect that was still significant at the 12-month assessment. Also at 12 months post treatment, schools that delivered SB to all middle school grades (6th - 8th) showed reductions in self-report of SH victimization. However, we also found that greater saturation of the SB program (delivered to 6th & 7th graders or to all three grades levels) was unexpectedly associated with more reported perpetration of sexual violence against peers at 12 month post treatment compared to the 6th grade only group, a finding in contrast with the additional borderline statistically significant findings (p<.10) at the 6-month assessment suggesting that receiving SB saturation for two grades rather than only one was associated with reduced frequency of peer physical victimization frequency and peer sexual violence perpetration. There were no results indicating that offering the SB program to a grade of students in two successive years (the 6th grade longitudinal design) resulted in statistically differential effects (p <.05) compared to a one-time dosage of SB in 6th grade. However, one borderline (p <.10) statistically significant effect (SB program delivered to 6th graders in year 1 and again to the same students, as 7th graders, in year 2 was associated with less SH victimization frequency compared to the 6th grade only intervention) highlights the potential potency of multiple dosages of the SB program for SH prevention work. These results largely support a minimalistic approach, in that SB effectiveness for peer and DV/H outcomes may be achieved by delivery to only one grade level in middle schools. However, taking these results in the context of our earlier work (NYC-1), there is a rationale for considering saturated delivery of the school wide (SBS) component of SB. In earlier research, SBS was effective at reducing DV/H outcome independent of the classroom curriculum (SBC). Because the SBS program can be introduced to an entire middle school at low-cost, and our current research shows positive effects of exposing more than just a single grade to the SB program, these results taken together suggest policy and administrative consideration of a saturated delivery of the SBS program. Details: Final report to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2015. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 12, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249587.pdf?ed2f26df2d9c416fbddddd2330a778c6=kvbjxsxivv-kxvljjsv Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249587.pdf?ed2f26df2d9c416fbddddd2330a778c6=kvbjxsxivv-kxvljjsv Shelf Number: 138207 Keywords: Dating ViolenceSexual HarassmentTeen Dating ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Macfarlane, Alison Title: Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in England and Wales: national and local estimates Summary: This report contains estimates of the numbers of women with female genital mutilation (FGM) living in England and Wales, the numbers of women with FGM giving birth and the numbers of girls born to women with FGM. Headline figures for England and Wales as a whole were published in an interim report. This full report contains estimates at a local authority level. To enable interpretation of these data, it also contains data about the extent to which FGM is practised in the women's countries of origin and about the populations of women born in these countries and living in England and Wales in 2011. Sources of data To derive these estimates, data about the prevalence of FGM were derived from reports of household interview surveys in the countries in which it is practised. Demographic data about women born in these countries and girls born to them were derived from the 2011 census and from birth registration. In the census analysis, women who had been born in countries where FGM is practised, but were members of South Asian and other populations which do not practise FGM were, as far as possible, excluded from the analyses. For analyses of birth data, it was not possible to do this directly, so multiplying factors derived from the census analyses were used to estimate the relevant numbers. Migration to England and Wales from countries where FGM is practiced The overall numbers of women aged 15-49 who were permanently resident in England and Wales but born in FGM practising countries increased from 182,000 in 2001 to 283,000 in 2011. Numbers of women born in the countries in the Horn of Africa, where FGM is almost universal and where the most severe Type III form, infibulation, is commonly practised, increased by 34,000 from 22,000 in 2001 to 56,000 in 2011. The numbers of women from countries in East and West Africa, where FGM Types I and II, clitoridectomy with or without excision of the labia minora, are very common, also increased by 10,000 over the same period. Estimated numbers of women and girls with FGM An estimated 103,000 women aged 15-49 with FGM born in countries in which it is practised were living in England and Wales in 2011, compared with the estimated 66,000 in 2001. This represented an estimated prevalence rate of 7.7 per 1,000 women. In addition there were an estimated 24,000 women aged 50 and over with FGM born in FGM practising countries and nearly 10,000 girls aged 0-14 born in FGM practising countries who have undergone or are likely to undergo FGM. These groups had lower prevalence rates of 2.3 and 2.0 per 1,000 population respectively. Combining the figures for the three age groups, an estimated 137,000 women and girls with FGM, born in countries where FGM is practised, were permanently resident in England and Wales in 2011. This represented a prevalence rate of 4.8 per 1,000 population. Estimated prevalence rates for all regions and local authority areas in England and Wales showed wide variations. Details: London: City University of London, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2016 at: http://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FGM-statistics-final-report-21-07-15-released-text.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FGM-statistics-final-report-21-07-15-released-text.pdf Shelf Number: 138255 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Jagori Title: Safe City Free of Violence Against Women and Girls Initiative: A Study of Delhi Police Help Lines Summary: This study is part of the Safe City free From Violence against Women and Girls Initiative, Delhi of Jagori in partnership with UN Women, UN HABITAT and the Department of Women and Child Development, Delhi Government. Women and girls are vulnerable to violence both within and outside the home and we recognize that the continuum of violence continues from personal/private to public space. We have been working on this issue since 2005 and have completed several surveys and safety audits in order to understand the problem in detail and in all its diversity. A baseline survey was conducted in Delhi in 2010 to focus on violence against women including sexual harassment, staring, touching, sexual assault, attempted rape, stalking and lewd comments, in a wide range of public spaces. The sample was 5010 men and women above the age of 16 covering all nine districts of Delhi. Conducted to research into factors that create greater safety and inclusion for women in public spaces around the city, the survey gathered and analyzed information about the following: (a) nature and forms of gender‐based violence and/or harassment faced by women, (b) spots where these incidents happen and that are perceived to be unsafe and inaccessible to women, (c) strategies adopted by women to defend themselves, (d) role of governing agencies and the police in safeguarding women's rights, and (e) societal perceptions and attitudes towards rights of women and girls. After conducting interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders, both government and non government, a draft strategic framework document was drawn up in 2010. This document identified several key areas of intervention in order to have a sustainable impact on reducing vulnerability and increasing safety. These include: - Urban planning and design of public spaces - Provision and management of urban infrastructure and services - Public transport - Policing - Legislation, justice and support to victims - Education - Civic awareness and participation This study has been carried out by Multiple Action Research Group (MARG) and provides data on the gaps in the functioning of Delhi Police helplines which are a first point contact for most people. Further the study also provides recommendations on addressing these gaps. Details: New Delhi: Safe Delhi, 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2016 at: http://safedelhi.in/sites/default/files/reports/Delhi%20Police%20Helpline%20Study_Jagori_Marg_final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: India URL: http://safedelhi.in/sites/default/files/reports/Delhi%20Police%20Helpline%20Study_Jagori_Marg_final.pdf Shelf Number: 138262 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolencePolice HelplinesPublic SpacesRapeSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentStalkingViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Jagori Title: Report of the Baseline Survey Delhi 2010 Summary: It is a truism that women in the national capital of Delhi feel unsafe in many public spaces, and at all times of the day and night. Cutting across class, profession, they face continuous and different forms of sexual harassment in crowded as well as secluded places, including public transport, cars, markets, roads, public toilets and parks. School and college students are most vulnerable to harassment, particularly rampant in public transport, particularly buses. Unlike men, women experience the city differently and have to devise their own safety strategies to negotiate public spaces during day and night. To address the issue, a joint action research initiative was undertaken by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Delhi, JAGORI, UNIFEM South Asia Regional Office and UN Habitat titled Safe City Free of Violence for Women and Girls, this baseline survey is based on a sample of 5010 women and men, conducted by during the period January - March 2010 by New Concept Information Systems, New Delhi. Conducted to research into factors that create greater safety and inclusion for women in public spaces around the city, the survey gathered and analyzed information about the following: (a) nature and forms of gender-based violence and/or harassment faced by women, (b) spots where these incidents happen and that are perceived to be unsafe and inaccessible to women, (c) strategies adopted by women to defend themselves, (d) role of governing agencies and the police in safeguarding women's rights, and (e) societal perceptions and attitudes to sexual harassment. Some of the findings supported the results of the previous surveys undertaken by Jagori (2007 and 2009). However, there are some new insights as well. The findings of the survey and its recommendations (including interactions with key stakeholders) are part of the strategic framework that will guide interventions to make Delhi a safer city for women, especially those from vulnerable groups. The outcome of the study is expected to feed into further dialogue and planning for improved gender-sensitive infrastructure, mechanisms and programming. Hopefully, this would enable women from diverse backgrounds to realize their fundamental right to work, study and move around without violence and fear. Details: New Delhi: Jagori, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls Initiative: March 17, 2016 at: http://www.jagori.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Baseline-Survey_layout_for-Print_12_03_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: India URL: http://www.jagori.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Baseline-Survey_layout_for-Print_12_03_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 138307 Keywords: Fear of CrimeGender-Based ViolencePublic PlacesPublic SafetySexual HarassmentViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Lundgren, Marcus Title: Men's violence against women, honour-related violence and repression and violence in same-sex relationships Summary: In November 2007, the Government put forward an overall strategy for the work with preventing men's violence against women for the coming three years, known as the Action Plan for Combating Men's Violence Against Women, Honour-Related Violence and Repression and Violence in Same-Sex Relationships. In the plan, national and local authorities were given 56 different tasks aiming to achieve a sustainable level of ambition in the work against violence. The Government gave the National Council for Crime Prevention (Bra) the task to follow up and evaluate how the plan was implemented. Bra's report was presented in December 2010 (Bra Report 2010:18). It shows that the plan has substantially increased awareness and knowledge about men's violence against women among professionals in many different areas. It also shows that the actual support for women who are victims of violence has improved, even if it still needs to develop. The improved support has made more women motivated to report to the police when they are exposed to violence, but the report also indicates that the measures taken have not yet had any visible effects on the total amount of women exposed to violence by men. It is our belief that the plan and its effects are of interest not just to a Swedish public, but also to decision makers and professionals in other countries. Details: Stockholm: Swedish national Council for Crime Prevention, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: English summary of Bra Report 2010:18: Accessed March 18, 2016 at: https://www.bra.se/download/18.12305534131e173a7f180001557/1371914735610/2010_18_english_summary_men%27s_violence_against_women.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Sweden URL: https://www.bra.se/download/18.12305534131e173a7f180001557/1371914735610/2010_18_english_summary_men%27s_violence_against_women.pdf Shelf Number: 138334 Keywords: Gender-Related ViolenceHonor-Related ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Title: Women on the Run: First-Hand Accounts of Refugees Fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico Summary: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is entrusted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly with responsibility for providing international protection to refugees and others of concern and, together with governments, for seeking permanent solutions to their problems. UNHCR would not be able to carry out its essential duties without the support, cooperation, and participation of States around the world. UNHCR provides international protection and direct assistance to refugees in some 125 countries throughout the world. It has over 60 years of experience supervising the international treaty-based system of refugee protection and has twice received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on behalf of refugees. UNHCR works closely with governments and others to ensure that the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol are honored, and that national and regional migration policies are sensitive to the protection needs of all individuals. International refugee protection centers on providing refugees the protection of asylum, ensuring their human rights are respected, and safeguarding the principle of non-refoulement: the prohibition against returning individuals to a place where they would face danger. The protection of women is a core priority of UNHCR at the global, regional, and national levels. Gender inequality systematically prevents women and girls from claiming and enjoying their rights, and is exacerbated by displacement. UNHCR is committed to promoting gender equality and ensuring equal access to protection and assistance so women can fully participate in all decisions affecting their lives. In 2014, for instance, the percentage of females playing active roles in leadership and management structures in refugee communities increased from 42 to 46 per cent;136 UNHCR's sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) reporting and awareness raising led to a doubling of reported incidents in 44 key countries; and women identified access to livelihood options as key to creating self-reliance and sustainable solutions to displacement. UNHCR's Executive Committee has adopted four general conclusions relating specifically to refugee women. These conclusions note the need for UNHCR and host governments to give particular attention to the international protection needs of refugee women; the need for reliable information and statistics about refugee women in order to increase public awareness of their situation; the need for an active senior-level steering committee on refugee women; and the need for the development of training modules on the subject for field officers. The UNHCR Regional Office in Washington, DC covering the United States of America and the Caribbean gives priority to enhancing protection for women arriving in and within the United States, including for women in detention. After coming into contact with increasing numbers of women and families fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, UNHCR undertook this study to understand the challenges they face. The overarching goal for the study was to hear from the women themselves the reasons they fled their countries of origin and the challenges they encountered while seeking protection. The women's voices provide the foundation for the ultimate aim of the study: to document profiles of women from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico with a need for international protection, and provide policy makers and adjudicators with necessary information to bolster regional asylum for women. Details: Washington, DC: UNHCR, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2016 at: http://www.unhcr.org/5630f24c6.html Year: 2015 Country: Central America URL: http://www.unhcr.org/5630f24c6.html Shelf Number: 138557 Keywords: Asylum SeekersGender-Based ViolenceImmigrantsRefugeesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Tonnessen, Liv Title: Women and Girls Caught between Rape and Adultery in Sudan: Criminal Law Reform, 2005-2015 Summary: This report investigates criminal law reform in Sudan, focusing on two important and controversial legal reforms related to (a) a definition of rape that is clearly de-linked from the Islamic crime of zina (i.e., sexual intercourse between individuals who are not married to each other) and (b) a definition of "child" as an individual younger than 18 in statutory rape cases. Many legal reforms have been proposed in Sudan since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 officially ended the extended civil war (Africa's longest) between the north and south of the country. The peace accord opened up some space for women's groups after a long period of harsh authoritarian control. All Sudanese laws were to be reviewed and reformed in alignment with the Interim National Constitution of 2005, including the Criminal Act of 1991. Although the peace agreement was largely gender-blind, the interim constitution included clauses on gender equality and affirmative action (Itto 2006). Pro-women activists as well as women within the government have been particularly active in advocating for legal reforms since 2005 with reference to the bill of rights. Two major legal reforms - in 2010 and 2015 - have dealt with rape. The most recent legal reform redefines rape in Sudan's Criminal Act of 1991. Until February 2015, "rape" was defined as zina (adultery or fornication) without consent. The act of zina was, and still is, punishable by 100 lashes for unmarried offenders and by death by stoning for married offenders. The blending of the ideas of rape and zina in the 1991 act meant that the strict rules of evidence used for zina were also applied to rape, something that constituted a serious legal obstacle for rape victims. Pro-women activists contested this legal position by forming the "Alliance of 149," named after the rape article in the Criminal Act. Interviews conducted during the last five years show that the reform process on rape/zina has been politicized, especially after the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Sudan's president for sexual warfare in Darfur in 2009. Around the same time as the National Assembly was amending Sudan's rape law, it forcibly shut down the founding member and initiator of the "Alliance of 149". In addition, the definition of apostasy was widened in such a manner that it can easily be used to clamp down on activists who are criticizing the Islamist regime. Darfur brought the previously taboo topic of rape into the public debate by focusing attention on sexual violence in Sudanese society. This furthered debate in both government and civil society about reform of Sudan's rape laws (including the controversial topic of marital rape), although only limited dialogue on the topic has arisen between government reformists and pro-women activists. Reformist Islamist women in government managed to effectively advocate for an amendment to the Criminal Act de-linking rape from zina, which Sudan's National Assembly passed in February this year. However, the reform is only partial, since the Evidence Act of 1994, in which rape and zina are still conflated, has yet to be reformed. In addition, marital rape is not explicitly criminalized. The other significant legal reform deals with statutory rape. Under the definition of "rape" in the pre-2015 version of the Criminal Act, the requirement of evidence for lack of consent does not apply to children, which means children have had better protection under the law. However, determining who was a "child" was a thorny issue. The Criminal Act of 1991 defines a child to be someone who has not yet reached puberty, as understood in Islam. Sudanese judges have taken varying approaches to defining "puberty," however. Many have viewed age 15 as the dividing line between childhood and adulthood, while others have looked for physical signs of puberty (or "sexual maturity"). In practice, this has meant that girls over the age of 15 (and sometimes even below) who have raised rape cases in Sudanese courts have been treated as adults. And as adults, they have had to show evidence that they did not consent to the sexual act. In 2010, Sudan enacted a new National Child Act that defines a child as an individual younger than 18 in accordance with the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Sudan ratified in 1991. The Child Act specifically criminalizes statutory rape. As it stands now, the new law is in conflict with the Criminal Act, however. Although the Child Act should take precedence, our findings suggest that the implementation of the act in courts in Khartoum is uncertain in statutory rape cases: while some judges implement the Child Act in statutory rape cases for all girls under the age of 18, some still follow the Criminal Act and look for signs of puberty. The definition of a child as younger than 18 years in the Child Act of 2010 did not receive much attention at the time of enactment, but it is has become the focus of heated debate as conservative actors have realized that this new definition also has repercussions for the age of marriage, which is set at puberty in Sudan's Muslim Family Law of 1991. Two conflicting positions within the current Islamist government (including in the judiciary itself) both employ Islamic arguments. In February 2015, an amendment to the Criminal Act was proposed to the National Assembly setting the age of criminal responsibility at 18 in accordance with the Child Act and international conventions ratified by Sudan. However, this proposal was blocked, partly by the judiciary itself, which advocated for the age of 15. Meanwhile a legal counter-mobilization against the Child Act continues and has resulted in a case currently pending in Sudan's Constitutional Court. Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2015. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: R 2015:10: Accessed May 5, 2016 at: http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5661-women-and-girls-caught-between-rape-and-adultery.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Sudan URL: http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5661-women-and-girls-caught-between-rape-and-adultery.pdf Shelf Number: 138953 Keywords: AdulteryCriminal Law ReformGender-Related ViolenceRapeSex OffensesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Patel, Reyhana Title: Female Genital Cutting in Indonesia: A Field Study Summary: Female Genital Cutting (FGC) - sometimes referred to as Female Genital Mutilation or female circumcision - is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as 'all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.' An estimated 200 million girls and women around the world are currently thought to be suffering the consequences of FGC. Although the bulk of attention, research, and programmes has mainly centred on countries in Africa and on African diaspora communities, the occurrence of FGC in other parts of the world has for too long been ignored by the international community - which often dismisses FGC as an 'African phenomenon.' Further research, however, will underline that FGC is not limited to Africa. Rather, it is a global issue with girls and women in communities within Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Oman and other parts of the Middle East also being subject to FGC. The mixture of drivers that perpetuate this practice through generations include tradition, culture, religion, and social pressure. Although FGC pre-dates Islam and is not practised by the majority of Muslims worldwide, Islamic Relief Canada has learned that there is a large proportion of Muslims (men, women and girls) around the world who believe FGC to be an Islamic imperative or - at the least - not something to be condemned. Details: Burlington, ONT: Islamic Relief Canada, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 13, 2016 at: http://islamicreliefcanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IRC_FGC_Report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: http://islamicreliefcanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IRC_FGC_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 139011 Keywords: Female Genital CuttingViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: U.S. Assistance to Combat This Harmful Practice Abroad Is Limited Summary: More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM/C in the 30 countries where available data show this harmful practice is concentrated. More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM/C annually in Africa. FGM/C comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs. It is rooted in the cultural traditions of many communities but has several adverse health consequences and the UN identifies it as a violation of human rights. In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 that included the elimination of FGM/C among its targets. UNFPA and UNICEF implement the Joint Program on FGM/C in 17 countries-the largest current international assistance effort to address FGM/C. State and USAID include FGM/C as part of their global strategy to respond to gender-based violence. GAO was asked to review State's and USAID's efforts to address FGM/C abroad. This report (1) summarizes findings from recent U.S. and UN studies about factors contributing to FGM/C and approaches to addressing this practice and (2) examines State's and USAID's current efforts to address FGM/C abroad. GAO reviewed recent UN and USAID studies on assistance efforts to address FGM/C, analyzed related strategies and policies, and interviewed State and USAID officials. GAO also analyzed information on FGM/C-related projects and activities from USAID's overseas missions, and State and USAID bureaus. GAO is making no recommendations in this report. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2016. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-16-485: Accessed May 25, 2016 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/676833.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/676833.pdf Shelf Number: 139151 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Macfarlane, Alison Title: Female Genital Mutilation in England and Wales: Updated statistical estimates of the numbers of affected women living in England and Wales and girls at risk Interim report on provisional estimates Summary: This report contains provisional estimates of the numbers of women with female genital mutilation (FGM) living in England and Wales, the numbers of women with FGM giving birth and the numbers of girls born to women with FGM. These are headline figures for England and Wales as a whole. Further work is under way to provide estimates at a local authority level and to refine these national analyses. These will be published later in the full project report. Details: London: City University London, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2016 at: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/3865/1/Female%20Genital%20Mutilation%20in%20England%20and%20Wales.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/3865/1/Female%20Genital%20Mutilation%20in%20England%20and%20Wales.pdf Shelf Number: 139536 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: United States Agency for International Development Title: Scaling Up Interventions to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence: An Analytical Report Summary: 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report on scaling up interventions to prev ent and respond to GBV was commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its GBV Strategy Research Agenda to identify lessons learned from scaled-up GB - interventions to inform and to improve its global prevention and response me chanisms. The information presented in th is report may be used to assist in the identification of GBV interventions that are scalable, or in designing GBV interventions with sound plans to bring them to scale and to maximize impact. Scaling up refers to "taking successful projects, programs, or policies and expanding, adapting, and sustaining them in different ways over time for greater development impact." 1 While scaling up is a common goal of international development donors and implementers a like, there is no universal ly accepted methodology that is employed. The three scale-up methodologies e xplored in this report are: expansion of scope, replication and expansion of geographic coverage. The obje ctive of this report is to assist USAID staff in identifying and selecting scalable GBV interventions across four se ctors: (1) health, (2) youth and education, (3) democracy and govern ance, and (4) economic growth. It is a product of a three-pronged research method ology: (1) a literature review, (2) key informant interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Washington, D.C. and by telephone, and (3) data collected from site visits on scaled-up GBV interven tions in India and South Africa. Eighteen scaled-up GBV interventions were analyzed in the literature re view, eight interventions, which varied by sector and type of scale-up were chosen for further in-depth analysis during the site visits. The mixed-method research design was used to develop this analytic al report in order to better understand scaled-up activities to address gender-based violence. While best practices in the develo pment context are important to know when considering any scale-up, further field research was needed to refine this knowledge in the context of GBV. The research team conducted field research on eight innovative, evalua ted and scaled-up GBV inte rventions in the health, youth development and education, democracy and governance, and economic growth sectors. The best practices in scaling up focused on three key comp onents: program actions, assessing the enabling environment and influencing factors, an d ensuring institutional capacity. The following best practice examples were selected to illustrate initiatives that provide evidence of success in contributing to the prevention of GBV: - Health: One Man Can Campaign, Soul City, and Stepping Stones in South Africa - Youth and Education: Yaari Dosti and Gender Equality Movement in Schools in India - Democracy and Governance: South Africa's Thuthuleza Care Centers (TCCs) and the International Justice Mission (IJM) in India - Economic Growth: The Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE) in South Africa. Details: Washington, DC: USAID, 2015. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 15, 2016 at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/Scaling-up-Interventions-to-Prevent-and-Respond-to-GBV.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/Scaling-up-Interventions-to-Prevent-and-Respond-to-GBV.pdf Shelf Number: 139644 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: European Institute for Gender Equality Title: Estimation of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the European Union Summary: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a violent form of subordination of women and girls that stands in gross contradiction to principles of gender equality. Following a request from the European Commission, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) collected and processed first EU-wide data and information on the prevalence of female genital mutilation and then examined national FGM prevention approaches and finally published all the data in the report in 2013. This follow-up study proposing a methodology for the estimation of the number of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the EU Member States was carried out in 2014. The countries chosen for pilot-testing the methodology were Ireland, Portugal and Sweden. This report analyses current legal and policy frameworks in the EU Member States, existing approaches to national FGM risk estimations in the EU and their methodological background. It presents quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including that of various focus groups, and carries out a comparative analysis of the selected Member States. The research highlights that strategies preventing female genital mutilation in the EU are effective and their success depends on cooperation between governments and the communities involved. The findings show that the female genital mutilation risk varies between the Member States according to the total number of first generation migrants originating from a country with high FGM prevalence. Methodology and indicators developed within the present study on FGM risk measurements give a better understanding of this harmful practice. Despite the difficulty to estimate exact numbers of girls at risk of female genital mutilation, the effectiveness of continuous prevention efforts and cooperation between concerned communities and regulatory bodies have been identified as influential factors. The report presents recommendations to the Member States on FGM risk assessment and policy development, including the adoption of the Istanbul Convention and effective implementation of the Victim's Rights Directive in national legal frameworks. Details: Vilnius, Lithuania: European Institute for Gender Equality, 2015. 113p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2016 at: http://eige.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/MH0215093ENN_Web.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Europe URL: http://eige.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/MH0215093ENN_Web.pdf Shelf Number: 139801 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationGender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Aguayo, F. Title: Engaging Men in Public Policies for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: This report reviews regional policies, action plans, and impact-evaluated programs that engage men in the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It provides evidence regarding efforts in the LAC region to prevent and eradicate all forms of VAWG used by men, and it outlines effective interventions and progress in the field, as well as the obstacles, lessons learned, and challenges. It includes recommendations on how to incorporate a masculinities perspective in policies and programs. Details: Santiago: EME/CulturaSalud. Washington, D.C.: Promundo-US. Panama City: UN Women and UNFPA, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 29, 2016 at: http://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/EN-Engaging-Men-in-Public-Policies-to-Prevent-VAWG-Final-for-Web-082216.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Latin America URL: http://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/EN-Engaging-Men-in-Public-Policies-to-Prevent-VAWG-Final-for-Web-082216.pdf Shelf Number: 140075 Keywords: Abusive Men Family Violence Masculinity Violence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Gerome, Rebecca Title: Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Arms Control: Tools and guidelines to implement the Arms Trade Treaty and UN Programme of Action Summary: Our latest report provides tools and guidelines for effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons provisions related to gender-based violence. Based on interviews, research, and primary documents, it offers an overview of current practices in export licensing, including applications and documentations, risk assessments, information sharing, monitoring, and transparency. Analysising current practice, the report then offers guidelines for assessing the risk of GBV and suggests resources for export officials on this question. Details: New York: Reaching Critical Will, a programme of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, 2016. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Publications/preventing-gbv.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Publications/preventing-gbv.pdf Shelf Number: 140091 Keywords: Arms ControlArms Trade TreatyGender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Norman, Kate Title: "Between Two Cultures": A Rapid PEER Study Exploring Migrant Communities' Views on Female Genital Mutilation in Essex and Norfolk, UK Summary: This report shares the findings from a rapid PEER study, carried out by migrant women and men living in Norfolk and Essex, UK. Eighteen Peer Researchers, (15 women and 3 men) were recruited through local community organisations and trained and supported by FORWARD and Barnardo's to design and carry out conversational interviews with their peers focusing on life in the UK, and Female Genital Mutilation. The study focused on low prevalence areas as identified in the UK Prevalence study on FGM. The aims of this research were to: - Shed light on the lived realities of migrants from these countries and gain insights into their communities' views on FGM in the UK as well as back in their country of origin. - For the first time, research attitudes and support for FGM in predominantly white British areas that are considered "low prevalence" for the practice. - Use the findings to inform and strengthen FGM prevention programmes. - Empower those involved in the research, strengthening their voice and ensuring that they are at the centre of research and programmes that concern them. Details: London: National FMG Center, Barnado's: 2016. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: https://barnardosfgm.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/12/0/filename/Peer+Research+National+FGM+Centre.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://barnardosfgm.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/12/0/filename/Peer+Research+National+FGM+Centre.pdf Shelf Number: 140105 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationMigrantsViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. Crown Prosecution Service Title: Violence against Women and Girls: Crime Report, 2013-2014 Summary: This report is an analysis of the key prosecution issues in each Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) strand - domestic violence (DV), rape, sexual offences, stalking, harassment, forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation, child abuse, human trafficking, prostitution and pornography. We recognise that most of these offences are targeted at male victims as well as female victims. A number of case studies are used to illustrate some good practice from Areas. Details: London: Crown Prosecution Services, 2014. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 147889 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectCrime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceForced MarriageHonour-Based ViolenceHuman TraffickingPornographyProstitutionSex OffensesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Mellish, Madison Title: Gender-Based Violence in Malawi: A Literature Review to Inform the National Response Summary: The government of Malawi has taken important actions to address gender-based violence (GBV), recognizing its detrimental impact on the people of Malawi and the progress of the country. The Department of Gender Affairs of the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare (MoGCDSW) coordinates the national GBV response and is working to strengthen GBV data systems and improve the use of data for GBV policy development and program implementation. In support of this effort, the USAID- and PEPFAR-funded Health Policy Project (HPP) conducted a literature review to identify and synthesize existing studies and key government documents on GBV in Malawi. The literature review focused on the following questions: • What are the various forms of GBV that exist in Malawi, and how prevalent are they? What are the trends? • What is known about GBV among specific populations or in specific settings? • What factors are associated with GBV? • What is the impact of GBV? • What interventions have been undertaken to address GBV and how effective have they been? • What key government documents on GBV exist and what do they say? This literature review provides answers to these questions by compiling information from available published and unpublished sources and presenting it in a succinct format so that researchers and policymakers can familiarize themselves with existing research and key documents, use it to inform policy and program decision making, and build a research agenda and portfolio that targets knowledge strengths and gaps. The review includes 74 documents related to GBV in Malawi. Most focus on various forms of violence experienced by women, including domestic or intimate partner violence (IPV). Several large nationally representative surveys have been conducted, notably the Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys 2004 and 2010, as well as a national GBV study that focused on IPV (Pelser et al., 2005). These provide prevalence estimates for GBV and a wealth of other information on factors associated with GBV experienced by women. Also, a large portion of the reviewed studies and policy documents examined GBV among children. One nationally representative study looked at the prevalence of several forms of violence experienced by school-aged children, both inside and outside the school environment (Burton, 2005). Another looked at experiences of GBV among girls and young women, and focused on educational impact (Bisika et al., 2009). A third nationally representative survey examined prevalence of coerced first sex in Malawi and three other African countries (Moore et al., 2007). About one-third of the reviewed research studies addressed GBV among specific populations, including people living in specific geographic locations, school children, employees, female domestic workers, female university students, prisoners, street children, people living with HIV, women with disabilities, and refugees. A slightly larger number of studies examined knowledge and attitudes related to GBV and other associated factors, including demographics, harmful traditional practices, the school environment, controlling behaviors, and substance use. Several of the reviewed studies examined the impact of GBV in Malawi, focusing on individuals’ health and education, as well as Malawi’s economy. Only a few studies were found that evaluated GBV interventions, despite the fact that many GBV interventions are occurring in Malawi. Summaries of findings from all reviewed studies are included in this report. Details: Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Project, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2016 at: http://www.healthpolicyproject.com/pubs/436_FINALHPPMalawiGBVLiteratureReview.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Malawi URL: http://www.healthpolicyproject.com/pubs/436_FINALHPPMalawiGBVLiteratureReview.pdf Shelf Number: 144998 Keywords: Domestic WorkersFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceStreet ChildrenViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Research Directorate Title: The Situation of Women Victims of Violence and of Sexual Minorities in El Salvador Summary: In 2013, Canada and the United States began working together to identify opportunities to establish new modes of cooperation in the areas of asylum and immigration; this collaboration is known as the Asylum Cooperation Action Plan (ACAP). The ACAP, through the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approached the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada to seek the IRB's interest in supporting the capacity building activities to be undertaken in the Americas with the objective of improving asylum systems in the region. In May 2015, the Deputy Chairperson of the IRB's Refugee Protection Division (RPD) participated in a meeting between Canada, Mexico and the United States, where it was agreed that the IRB would undertake a number of activities to support the development of quality refugee status determination by Mexico. One of these activities involved IRB participation in a joint information-gathering mission (henceforth referred to as the "mission") to El Salvador, in conjunction with representatives from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Mexican government's Commission for Refugee Aid (Comision Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados, COMAR), and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, SRE) of Mexico, under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mexico and El Salvador. A representative of the Mexican Embassy in San Salvador also participated. The joint mission was carried out from 11 to 15 April 2016. Following the completion of the joint mission, the IRB conducted its own research for one further week in El Salvador. The purpose of this was to meet with additional expert sources not included in the joint mission agenda due to time constraints, to gather corroborating and contrasting information, and to enable the IRB's Research Directorate to develop new contacts, strengthen existing ones, and obtain information uniquely needed to support the IRB's decision-making on refugee status determination now or in the future. The purpose of the mission to El Salvador was to gather information related to state efforts to combat crime; the structure of criminal gangs, their areas of operation, activities, and recruitment practices; the situation of gender-based and domestic violence against women; the situation of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) people; and the efficacy of the police and judiciary to provide recourse to victims of crime, investigate and prosecute crimes. This report summarizes the information gathered by the representatives of the IRB during both the joint mission and during the IRB's additional week of research. Details: Ottawa: The Board, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: El Salvador: Information Gathering Mission Report - Part 2: Accessed November 8, 2016 at: http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/ResRec/NdpCnd/Pages/Salvador-2016P2.aspx Year: 2016 Country: El Salvador URL: http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/ResRec/NdpCnd/Pages/Salvador-2016P2.aspx Shelf Number: 146284 Keywords: Asylum SeekersDomestic ViolenceGangsGender-Related ViolenceImmigrationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Swegman, Casey Title: The Intersectionality of Forced Marriage with Other Forms of Abuse in the United States Summary: In the United States, forced marriage can impact individuals of any gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnic or religious background. In a 2011 survey, service providers in the U.S. (primarily legal and social services agencies in the domestic violence and sexual assault field but also including law enforcement, school and university staff, counselors, and other legal professionals) reported encountering as many as 3,000 known or suspected cases of forced marriage over a period of just two years (Tahirih Justice Center, 2011). Details: Harrisburg, PA : VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2016. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Applied Research: Accessed November 16, 2016 at: http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AR_ForcedMarriage.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AR_ForcedMarriage.pdf Shelf Number: 144844 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceForced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence against Women, Girls |
Author: United Nations Action for Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons Title: A Study of Forced Marriage between Cambodia and China Summary: This report examines patterns of forced marriage in the context of broader migratory flows between Cambodia and China. It primarily draws on the accounts of 42 Cambodian women who experienced conditions of forced marriage, with interviews having taken place in both countries. Key informants from government and non-government stakeholders in Cambodia and China were consulted as well. The objective has been to analyze recruitment, brokering, transportation and exploitation patterns as well as the links between these; to determine service needs amongst Cambodians trafficked to China for forced marriage, in China, during the repatriation process and upon return to Cambodia; as well as to identify opportunities for interventions to prevent forced marriages from occurring and to extend protective services to those in need, at both policy and programming levels. The phenomenon of forced marriage has received increasing recognition and attention in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, initially from Myanmar and Viet Nam into China and within China itself, but lately also from countries further afield especially Cambodia. In Cambodia, the lack of employment opportunities and low wages, amongst other factors, are leaving young people with few alternatives but to seek work outside their home country. Cambodian women have especially limited educational and job prospects whilst at the same time facing high pressures to contribute financially to their families. Given restrictive labor migration policies especially in low-skill sectors in the region, marriage migration to improve economic conditions has become a viable alternative. China is confronted with an unusually high gender imbalance derived primarily from more than 30 years of one-child policy coupled with gender selection due to son preference. The latter is linked to Chinese traditions that see the sons carry on the families’ lineage over generations as well as care for their aging parents, together with their wives that join the husbands’ families. In this environment, particularly the economically disadvantaged rural men in China look to women from other countries like Cambodia, Myanmar or Viet Nam. Both countries, however, prohibit international marriage broker services, meaning marriage migration is often facilitated by agents cooperating across borders without licenses and oversight. Whilst anecdotal evidence suggests that some, perhaps even many, of the Cambodian women living in arranged marriages in China are content in their situations, this study outlines the possible downsides of engagements brought about in non-regulated manners Details: Bangkok: UNDP, 2016. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2016 at: http://un-act.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Final_UN-ACT_Forced_Marriage_Report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://un-act.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Final_UN-ACT_Forced_Marriage_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 146253 Keywords: Forced MarriageHuman TraffickingViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee Title: Female genital mutilation: abuse unchecked Summary: Background to this report 1. Our predecessor Committee published two reports on female genital mutilation (FGM) towards the end of the last Parliament. Its over-riding conclusion in July 2014 was that “FGM is a severe form of gender-based violence, and where it is carried out on a girl, it is an extreme form of child abuse. Everyone who has a responsibility for safeguarding children must view FGM in this way. While welcoming action taken by the Government and the impressive work undertaken by campaigners, the follow-up report, published in March 2015, concluded that insufficient progress had been made in tackling this pernicious problem, particularly in relation to prosecutions. We therefore decided it was right to revisit this issue to assess whether further positive developments had taken place. 2. In July 2016 we hosted a roundtable discussion on FGM that brought together survivors, grassroots organisations, clinicians, representatives from the criminal justice system and educationalists. In recent years the profile of FGM has risen significantly across Parliament, the media and the public, largely as a result of the tireless efforts by campaigners and public servants including those who attended the roundtable.2 We would like to thank all those who contributed to the discussion as well as those who attended the event as invited guests in the audience. The roundtable informed an evidence session with Karen Bradley MP, the then Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime, on 12 July 2016. The nature, scale and geographical spread of FGM 3. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines female genital mutilation as “all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”. There are four main types: • Type 1 (clitoridectomy), which involves partial or total removal of the clitoris and, in rare cases, only the prepuce; • Type 2 (excision), which involves partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora; • Type 3 (infibulation), which involves narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal, which is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer labia, with or without removal of the clitoris; and • Type 4 (other), which comprises all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, such as pricking, piercing or incision of the clitoris and/or the labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; and cauterisation or burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues. International bodies such as the United Nations and the WHO are unanimous that FGM has no health benefits and leads to short- and long-term physical and psychological harm. In the short term, FGM can result in severe pain, excessive bleeding, fever, urinary problems and even death. Longer-term effects include menstrual problems, difficulties in childbirth, sexual problems and psychological trauma. 4. FGM is practised in more than 29 African countries and by certain ethnic groups in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula and along the Persian Gulf. It is concentrated in the Horn of Africa but it is also highly prevalent in other countries in North, East and West Africa. The WHO has also reported FGM in India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kurdistan, Israel, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. It has been estimated that more than 200 million women worldwide have been subjected to FGM and three million girls are believed to be at risk each year. The map below shows the percentage of women and girls aged 15 to 49 years who have been subjected to FGM in countries where it is most prevalent. Details: London: House of Commons, 2016. 34p. Government Response, 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Ninth Report of Session 2016-17: Accessed December 9, 2016 at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmhaff/390/390.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmhaff/390/390.pdf Shelf Number: 140372 Keywords: Female CuttlingFemale Genital MutilationGender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. Crown Prosecution Service Title: Violence against Women and Girls: Crime Report, 2015-16 Summary: The Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) report is the ninth edition published by the CPS. It provides an assessment of prosecution performance on crimes that have been grouped together under the heading â€VAWG’, as they have been identified as being committed primarily, but not exclusively, by men against women. The CPS addresses these issues within the overarching crossgovernment strategic framework of VAWG, recognising that victims of this group of crimes are disproportionally female. The approach acknowledges VAWG as a fundamental issue of human rights and women’s rights. The UK government has signed and ratified the United Nations call to all states to prevent and respond to violence against women. VAWG is recognised worldwide, and by the UK Government, as a form of offending where gender plays a part. As the United Nations2 describes it: â€Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and … violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men’. The CPS is committed to securing justice for all victims of crimes grouped together as â€VAWG’. To that end, we are inclusive in our approach. All our VAWG policies are applied fairly and equitably to all perpetrators and victims of crime – irrespective of their gender. Recognising that these offences can be targeted at male and transgender victims as well as female victims, the report includes total data on all perpetrators and victims, irrespective of gender. Where possible, data is broken down, in the body of the report, by gender as well as overall volumes and proportions. The report is an analysis of the key prosecution issues in each VAWG strand – domestic abuse (DA), stalking, harassment, rape, sexual offences, forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation, child abuse, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, prostitution and pornography. The data that forms the basis of the report is derived from the CPS’ Case Management System (CMS) and its associated Management Information System (MIS) which shows the number of defendants, offences and victims or witnesses. Domestic abuse, rape, forced marriage, honour-based violence, child abuse and human trafficking cases are identified by flags applied to defendants. Stalking, harassment, sexual offences, prostitution, pornography and obscenity data can only be provided using the offences data base. Details: London: CPS, 2016. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 15, 2016 at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2016.pdf Shelf Number: 146121 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Crime StatisticsDomestic Violence Forced Marriage Honour-Based Violence Human Trafficking Pornography Prostitution Sex Offenses Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: UN Women Title: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Violence Against Women and Girls: Strengthening the policy linkages between different forms of violence Summary: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) manifests in different forms. These include intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child, early and forced marriage, among others. Programmes to end harmful practices and programmes to end intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence are often planned and implemented separately, despite all being rooted in gender inequality and gender-based discrimination against women and girls. While this is intended so that programmes can be tailored accordingly, it can result in isolation of initiatives that would otherwise benefit from sharing of knowledge and good practices and from strategic, coordinated efforts. This policy note explores policy and programming interlinkages and considers entry points in the areas of (i) national legislation, (ii) prevention strategies, (iii) response for survivors, and (iv) data and evidence, for increased coordination and collaboration to advance the objectives of ending FGM/C and other forms of VAWG, in particular intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. The note builds on the background paper "Finding convergence in policy frameworks: A background paper on the policy links between gender, violence against women and girls, and female genital mutilation/cutting". This policy note is intended for multiple audiences, including those directly involved in policy development, planning and implementing initiatives, those providing technical support, and advocates for ending all forms of VAWG, including FGM/C. This work is the result of a collaboration of UN Women with the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C. Details: New York: UN Women, 2017. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Note: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2017/policy-note-female-genital-mutilation-cutting-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf?vs=905 Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2017/policy-note-female-genital-mutilation-cutting-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf?vs=905 Shelf Number: 145745 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationGenital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: International Crisis Group Title: Nigeria: Women and the Boko Haram Insurgency Summary: Boko Haram's rise and insurgency have dramatically changed the lives of thousands of women and girls, often casting them voluntarily or by force into new roles outside the domestic sphere. Some joined to escape their social conditions; others were abducted and enslaved. Seven years of war have caused gender-specific suffering. While men have disproportionally been killed, women are an overwhelming majority among the estimated 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North East. As former wives, slaves or fighters, many bear the stigma of association with the insurgents and are barred from reintroduction into their communities, in part because the lines between militant, sympathiser and forced accomplice are blurred. Although Boko Haram faces strong pushback, it remains capable of launching attacks and conducting multiple suicide bombings. Understanding how women experience the conflict, not only as victims but also as actors, needs to directly inform policies and programs to tackle the roots of the insurgency and strategies for curbing it, as well as facilitate women’s contribution to lasting peace. Since its emergence in 2002, Boko Haram has paid particular attention to women in rhetoric and actions, partly because of the intense debate surrounding their role in society in the North East. Among other revivalist Islamic movements, the sect called for tighter restrictions on them in some areas of life but also promoted their access to Islamic education and offered financial empowerment. With patriarchy, poverty, corruption, early marriage and illiteracy long thwarting their life chances, some women saw an opportunity in Boko Haram to advance their freedoms or reduce their hardship. Many valued the religious and moral anchoring. Thereafter, Boko Haram began to abduct women and girls for both political and pragmatic ends, including to protest the arrest of female members and relatives of some leaders. The seizure of more than 200 schoolgirls near Chibok in 2014 was a much publicised spike in a wider trend. The group took Christian and later Muslim females to hurt communities that opposed it, as a politically symbolic imposition of its will and as assets. By awarding “wives” to fighters, it attracted male recruits and incentivised combatants. Because women were not considered a threat, female followers and forced conscripts could initially circulate in government-controlled areas more easily, as spies, messengers, recruiters and smugglers. For the same reason, from mid-2014, Boko Haram turned to female suicide bombers. Increasingly pressed for manpower, it also trained women to fight. As vigilante militia members, including with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hundreds of women help security forces, particularly to frisk females at checkpoints, gather information and identify suspects, and also sometimes to fight Boko Haram. Others work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women’s associations or care privately for war victims. In some cases, the war has opened opportunities for women’s activism, illustrated by the establishment of several new women-led NGOs in Maiduguri and the Nigerian involvement in the Bring Back Our Girls international campaign. Boko Haram attacks, the military’s persecution of suspects and its strategy of emptying contested areas have forced over a million women and girls to flee homes. Some suspected supporters are in detention. Hundreds of thousands of females are in government camps where food is scarce and healthcare dismal; in unofficial camps, the situation can be even worse. Separated from husbands and sons conscripted or killed by Boko Haram or arrested by security forces, many women are now fully responsible for their families’ protection and economic wellbeing. Harsh treatment of IDPs in camps and detention centres could undermine military gains. If corruption in aid delivery and abuses persist, communities may harbour grievances that could lead them to reject state authority. Meanwhile, the stigma carried by women and girls known or suspected to have been Boko Haram members risks leaving them and their children isolated and alienated, generating new frustration and resistance of the kind that gave rise to Boko Haram. How gender dynamics play a part in fuelling the Boko Haram insurgency should be a clear warning that women’s integration into decision-making processes at all levels is critical to a durable peace. Countering the sect and rebuilding a peaceful society in the North East requires the government and its international partners to tackle gender discrimination, better protect women and girls affected by the violence and support women's economic and social reintegration, as well as enhance their role in building sustainable peace. In the short term, reunification of families should be a priority. In the longer term, improvements and gender balance in accessing education, in both state schools and upgraded Quranic schools, is vital. Details: Brussels: International Crisis Group, 2016. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Africa Report No. 242: Accessed march 8, 2017 at: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/242-nigeria-women-and-the-boko-haram%20Insurgency.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Nigeria URL: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/242-nigeria-women-and-the-boko-haram%20Insurgency.pdf Shelf Number: 141379 Keywords: Boko HaramFemale TerroristsJihadistsRadical GroupsRadicalizationTerrorismViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: McCracken, Katie Title: National FGM Centre: An Evaluation Summary: The vision and purpose of the National FGM Centre is to work in partnership with statutory agencies, government departments and grassroots organisations to end new cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among women and girls living in England, within the next 15 years. The National FGM Centre is a partnership between Barnardo's and the Local Government Association (LGA). Whilst FGM is known to have acute and multi-faceted harmful effects on the girls and women who undergo it, existing evidence suggests that the number of cases of FGM in England and Wales is growing (Dorkenoo et al.: 2007). The response by frontline services and agencies has previously been inconsistent and inadequate, particularly in areas with low prevalence. The National FGM Centre was designed to address the needs not only of Local Authorities (LAs) with relatively high numbers of identified FGM cases, but also those with a lower number of identified cases where there may be limited experience of working with those affected by FGM. Its initial focus, in terms of the pilot areas in which it operates, was 6 LAs with relatively low prevalence of FGM: Essex, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Thurrock and Southend. The National FGM Centre intended to achieve system change in social work to provide professional expertise and good practice in the provision of social work services for girls and women from potentially-affected communities. It also aimed to foster change in attitudes towards and understandings of FGM, including among women and men, girls and boys, of potentially-affected communities. To realise these goals, the National FGM Centre offered a continuum of intervention that combined work with Children’s Services, other statutory agencies and organisations with community outreach. It provided Senior Social Workers (SSWs), Social Workers (SWs) and Project Workers (PWs) to Children’s Services to directly manage cases of FGM, with either full delegated responsibility or responsibility for selected delegated duties. The Year 1 cost of this service offer was set by the National FGM Centre at £659,478. The National FGM Centre supported the continuing development of professional expertise by providing consultancy support, practice development and training to professionals who may be in contact with FGM cases. The Year 1 cost of consultancy and practice development was set at £145,592. It also provided an online Knowledge Hub, with an interactive forum that professionals working with FGM could use to access relevant national and international data, information, and resources. The Year 1 cost of the Knowledge Hub was set at £148,328. Finally, the National FGM Centre engaged with a variety of stakeholders and potentially-affected communities through conferences, outreach workshops, and local events. This community outreach work budget was set at £207,180 for Year 1. The National FGM Centre was a pilot project funded through the Department for Education's Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme for two years from April 2015- March 2017. This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the National FGM Centre, a partnership between Barnardo's and the LGA, in achieving its stated aims during the first year. Details: Darlington, UK: Department of Education, 2017. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 15; Accessed March 23, 2017 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/585158/National_female_genital_mutilation_centre_evaluation.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/585158/National_female_genital_mutilation_centre_evaluation.pdf Shelf Number: 144547 Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Andro, Armelle Title: Female genital mutilation around the world Summary: Where in the world is female genital cutting still practiced? Has female genital mutilation (FGM) become less common with continuing efforts to eradicate the practice, or has it persisted? Drawing on the most recent surveys, Armelle Andro and Marie Lesclingand offer an overview of the situation and trends in FGM around the world, and recall the consequences of genital mutilation for women's sexual and reproductive health. Details: Paris: French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED), 2017. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2017 at: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/26419/543.population.societies.2017.april.en.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/26419/543.population.societies.2017.april.en.pdf Shelf Number: 145255 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital Mutilation Genital Mutilation Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: McGuire, Magdalena Title: The Right to Refuse: Examining Forced Marriage in Australia Summary: This project drew on The Right to Refuse forum (a cross-sectoral forum on forced marriage which was held by the research partners) and the literature to devise some key findings about forced marriage. These findings are that: „h- Forced marriage is primarily a human rights and gender equality issue, not a cultural issue. Having said this, any interventions around forced marriage need to be approached with cultural sensitivity. „h- Forced marriage is a form of violence against women and girls. It can lead to a range of negative consequences for victims, including physical, sexual, and psychological violence, economic abuse, denial of education, social isolation, and mental health problems.1 „h- Forced marriage and arranged marriage are two distinct practices. While forced marriage is unlawful and harmful, arranged marriage is an acceptable practice (to the extent that it allows potential partners to consent to the marriage). Currently, there is little awareness in the community about the difference between forced marriage and arranged marriage. „h- Little is known about the prevalence and manifestation of forced marriage in Australia. Nonetheless, it is clear that forced marriage happens to a diverse range of women and girls in the Australian community. Young women and women with cognitive impairments can be particularly at risk of experiencing forced marriage. „h- School personnel, especially school welfare officers, are in a key position to identify potential cases of forced marriage involving girls and young women. „h- Forced marriage cases are complex and cross over multiple service sectors. It is rare for victims of forced marriage to present with only one problem for which they require assistance. „h- Many women and girls who have experienced forced marriage will require the assistance of domestic violence support services. Domestic violence services can be the first place where forced marriage is identified and responded to. „h- Women and girls who have experienced forced marriage can be reluctant to engage with services. A key way to address this barrier is to establish a relationship of trust between the victim of forced marriage and a worker within the relevant service. „h- A challenge for support workers is striking an appropriate balance between establishing trust with the victim of forced marriage and maintaining their own professional boundaries. This is because women and girls who have exited situations of forced marriage tend to be very socially isolated. Under these circumstances, they may come to regard their workers as the most important people in their lives. „h- Women and girls who have experienced forced marriage may require years of intense support to help them live safe and productive lives Details: Melbourne: Good Shepherd Youth & Family Services, Domestic Violence Victoria, 2014. 99p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2017 at: https://www.goodshep.org.au/media/1222/right-to-refuse_final-report_v2.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: https://www.goodshep.org.au/media/1222/right-to-refuse_final-report_v2.pdf Shelf Number: 145333 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceForced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: International Crisis Group Title: Women and Conflict in Afghanistan Summary: As the presidential election approaches in 2014, with the security transition at the year's end, Afghan women, including parliamentarians and rights activists, are concerned that the hard-won political, economic and social gains achieved since the U.S.- led intervention in 2001 may be rolled back or conceded in negotiations with the insurgents. Afghanistan's stabilisation ultimately rests on the state's accountability to all its citizens, and respect for constitutional, legal and international commitments, including to human rights and gender equality. There will be no sustainable peace unless there is justice, and justice demands that the state respect and protect the rights of women, half its population. Following the Taliban's ouster, Afghan women worked hard to reverse the damage wrought by more than two decades of a civil war that deprived them of the limited progress towards gender equality experienced in earlier times. As a result of international support, donor aid and their own efforts, women are now an essential part of the post-Taliban order and have played a major role in reconstructing the state and its institutions. 40 per cent of all schoolchildren are girls. Women are more than 27 per cent of parliament. They are in the bureaucracy, the judiciary and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and are lawyers, entrepreneurs, journalists and civil society activists. In the last twelve years, women's legal status has improved considerably. Gender equality is enshrined in the constitution. The Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law criminalises rape for the first time. The state is now legally bound to protect women from violence. The ministry of women's affairs (MOWA) and the government's National Action Plan for Women (NAPWA) place empowerment at the heart of state building. Yet, women still struggle to avail themselves of their rights and to consolidate and advance their progress. The implementation of laws to ensure women's rights and support their political and economic participation is uneven. Years of prioritising counter-insurgency over community policing have impeded the emergence of a police force able and willing to protect women from violence. Women are a mere 1 per cent of the Afghan National Police (ANP). Female police are marginalised and often incapable of responding effectively to incidents of violence against women. A fraction of the incidents of gender-based violence are tried under the EVAW law. Very few cases even make it to the formal justice system; most are decided by jirgas or shuras (local councils) mainly dominated by strongmen. Moreover, persistent insecurity and violence threaten women's political, economic and social rights. Those in positions of authority are regularly threatened; many have been killed by insurgents. Militants have attacked girls' schools, students and staff. Qualified female teachers and health workers are reluctant to work outside relatively secure urban centres, undermining rural women's and girls' access to education and basic health services. Since the formal transfer of the security lead to the ANSF in mid-2013, insurgent threats to women have increased. Their rights are also under attack from yesterday's warlords, now powerbrokers both within and outside government. Rearming their militias as a hedge against what may happen in the 2014 elections or after the transition and attempting to consolidate their electoral base, including by demonstrating independence from the West, they could undo women's fragile gains. The reversal of progress is already evident. With presidential and provincial council elections due in April, the latest electoral law has reduced the quota - guaranteed seats - for women in provincial assemblies from a quarter to a fifth. If passed by both houses of parliament, a change in the Criminal Prosecution Code disqualifying relatives of the accused from testifying against them would severely constrain women's ability to take abuse cases to court. Conservative members of parliament have strongly opposed the EVAW law, calling it un-Islamic when it was introduced in parliament in May 2013. Though it remains valid at least until a vote in parliament, the attention its detractors have received could undermine its already limited use. A wide range of Afghan and international women's rights organisations have urged President Hamid Karzai, who enacted it by decree in 2009, to speak in favour of the law and endorse its implementation. In the July 2012 Tokyo Framework defining the terms for continued donor aid after the security transition, Kabul pledged to improve governance, enforce rule of law and protect human rights, including by the EVAW law. Signalling that it will not accept the erosion of women's rights, the international community should continue to support women activists and NGOs and in the interest of sustainability help such NGOs gain financial independence by giving core, as well as project-based funding. If patchy implementation of the laws that protect and empower women raises doubts of Kabul's commitment, women are as much, if not more concerned about the efforts, with international backing, to broker peace with the Taliban. They have been sidelined in a process that will determine their future and that of their country. The role of female representatives in Kabul's High Peace Council (HPC) and Provincial Peace Councils (PPC) is largely limited to public outreach. It does not extend to talks with the insurgency. Given their exclusion and the opacity of the negotiations, there is reason for concern. The government and parliament may be tempted to backtrack on pro-women constitutional provisions and laws to assuage conservative powerbrokers within and outside the armed insurgency. Women activists and parliamentarians are not comforted by rhetoric from Kabul and the international community, including U.S. and EU assurances that any peace settlement would be based on respect for the constitution and women's rights. Agreement on protecting the rights of women must be a prerequisite rather than an elusive desired outcome of any reconciliation process. Details: Brussels: International Crisis Group, 2013. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Asia Report No. 252: Accessed May 13, 2017 at: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/women-and-conflict-in-afghanistan.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Afghanistan URL: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/women-and-conflict-in-afghanistan.pdf Shelf Number: 131253 Keywords: Conflict-Related ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceHuman Rights AbusesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Dos Ramos, Michele Title: Citizen security in Latin America Summary: Over the past two decades, new policies were implemented in various Latin American countries leading to positive impacts in terms of poverty and inequality reduction. In 2008, the region achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day. Nevertheless, Latin America is still the most violent region in the world: while it is home to only 8% of the world's population, it accounts for 38% of homicides. Moreover, among the 10 countries with the highest rates of lethal violence against women in the world, 8 are in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). On average, 144,000 people a year are killed in the region, which has 44 of the 50 most homicidal countries and 23 of the 25 most murderous cities in the world. Details: Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), 2017. 2p. Source: Internet Resource: Alert - No 14 ; Accessed May 26, 2017 at: http://www.iss.europa.eu/uploads/media/Alert_14_Citizen_security_LAC.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Latin America URL: Shelf Number: 145808 Keywords: Crime Statistics Drug Trafficking Homicides Violence Against Women, GirlsViolent Crime War on Drugs |
Author: Humphreys, Cathy Title: PAThways and Research Into Collaborative Inter-Agency practice: Collaborative work across the child protection and specialist domestic and family violence interface: The PATRICIA Project. Final report Summary: PAThways and Research In Collaborative Inter-Agency practice (the PATRICIA Project) is an action research project focused on the collaborative relationship between specialist community-based domestic and family violence (DFV) support services for women and their children, and statutory child protection (CP) organisations. Drawing together a diverse range of participants from five states of Australia, it comprised five components of research, each with its own methodology, set within an action research framework that facilitated a process of changing things while simultaneously studying the "problems" of developing collaborative work and strengthening perpetrator accountability. The intended outcome was to use evidence to foster greater collaboration to support the safety and wellbeing of women and their children, and strengthen accountability for perpetrators of DFV. Its key findings include: - DFV and CP collaboration has not always been straightforward. The PATRICIA project found no silver bullet for making collaborations productive and constructive. However a range of factors were essential to engage in collaborative DFV partnerships. Specifically, the focus on the issues of safety and shifting attention to the risks of the perpetrators' use of violence to the safety and well-being of children and their mothers. The project also found that an authorising environment is foundational to partnership work between statutory and non-statutory organisations. - A Collaborative Practice Framework for Child Protection and Specialist DFV services has been developed to guide and sustain collaboration where DFV involving children occurs. - The case reading project, based on Safe and Together principles developed by David Mandel and colleagues, highlighted practitioners' inattention to the impact of DFV on children and family functioning. The case reading process provided a powerful tool to interrogate DFV practice and for statutory and non-statutory workers to work together using common principles and auditing template for review. - The analysis of specialist case studies pointed to strategies for creating a differential response which ensured that notifications were only made for children who reached the threshold for an investigation. The studies also pointed to the need for stronger community based services for children and their families. Details: Sydney: Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2017. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Horizons Research Report: Accessed June 29, 2017 at: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/Patricia_Horizons_final.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/Patricia_Horizons_final.pdf Shelf Number: 146452 Keywords: Child ProtectionDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Connolly, Marie Title: The Collaborative Practice Framework for Child Protection and specialist domestic and family violence services: The PATRICIA project: Key findings and future directions Summary: PAThways and Research In Collaborative Inter-Agency practice (the PATRICIA Project) is an action research project focused on the collaborative relationship between specialist community-based domestic and family violence (DFV) support services for women and their children, and statutory child protection (CP) organisations. Drawing together a diverse range of participants from five states of Australia, it comprised five components of research, each with its own methodology, set within an action research framework that facilitated a process of changing things while simultaneously studying the "problems" of developing collaborative work and strengthening perpetrator accountability. The intended outcome was to use evidence to foster greater collaboration to support the safety and wellbeing of women and their children, and strengthen accountability for perpetrators of DFV. It's key findings include: - DFV and CP collaboration has not always been straightforward. The PATRICIA project found no silver bullet for making collaborations productive and constructive. However a range of factors were essential to engage in collaborative DFV partnerships. Specifically, the focus on the issues of safety and shifting attention to the risks of the perpetrators' use of violence to the safety and well-being of children and their mothers. The project also found that an authorising environment is foundational to partnership work between statutory and non-statutory organisations. - A Collaborative Practice Framework for Child Protection and Specialist DFV services has been developed to guide and sustain collaboration where DFV involving children occurs. - The case reading project, based on Safe and Together principles developed by David Mandel and colleagues, highlighted practitioners' inattention to the impact of DFV on children and family functioning. The case reading process provided a powerful tool to interrogate DFV practice and for statutory and non-statutory workers to work together using common principles and auditing template for review. - The analysis of specialist case studies pointed to strategies for creating a differential response which ensured that notifications were only made for children who reached the threshold for an investigation. The studies also pointed to the need for stronger community based services for children and their families. Details: Sydney: Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2017. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: ANROWS Compass, Issue 03/2017):Accessed June 29, 2017 at: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/Patricia_Compass.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/Patricia_Compass.pdf Shelf Number: 146453 Keywords: Child ProtectionDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Nesbitt-Ahmed, Zahrah Title: Engaging Men and Boys to End Sexual to End Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Sierra Leone: A Stakeholder Mapping Report, June 2014 Summary: Increasingly, engaging with men and boys has emerged as a vital strategy adopted by non-governmental organisations, national governments, women's organisations, and international agencies for ending sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and achieving gender equality, including in refugee and post-conflict settings (Barker and Ricardo 2005; Dworkin, Colvin, Hatcher and Peacock 2012). While SGBV is a global problem, recent research in West Africa suggests that this problem becomes particularly acute in post-conflict countries. In Sierra Leone, the focus of this report, it is widely estimated that during its civil war from 1991-2002, up to 250,000 women and girls were subjected to some form of SGBV (Amnesty International 2007: 4). Rape, largely but not solely by men against women, was used systematically by all factions and, although peace was declared in 2002, the trauma of war and its violent tactics has left scars that run through the fabric of households, families and communities. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of men and boys in addressing SGBV, in June 2014 IDS and MAGE-SL held two stakeholder workshops and a series of interviews in Sierra Leone. This report begins with a brief overview of the workshops, which form part of a larger research study on collective action and the role of men and boys in addressing SGBV in Sierra Leone. Section 4 details five of the key themes drawn from the workshops. These are: (1) the civil war as catalyst for critical awareness; (2) the economic basis of inequality in households; (3) law and policy reform; (4) inadequate support for those engaged in work to address SGBV; and (5) knowledge sharing. Section 5 maps the various stakeholders in Sierra Leone whose interests either overlap with, intersect with, or impede the work of those engaging with men and boys against SGBV; it also highlights the opportunities and challenges. Drawing from the workshop findings, Section 6 suggests why it is important to engage with men and boys to address SGBV, and Section 7 provides a concluding summary. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: IDS Evidence Report No. 110: Accessed September 9, 2017 at: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/5780/ER110_EngagingMenandBoystoEndSexualandGenderBasedViolenceinSierraLeoneAStakeholderMappingReportJune2014.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2015 Country: Sierra Leone URL: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/5780/ER110_EngagingMenandBoystoEndSexualandGenderBasedViolenceinSierraLeoneAStakeholderMappingReportJune2014.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 147200 Keywords: Abusive MenGender-Related ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Greater London Authority Title: Tackling Female Genital Mutilation in London Summary: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. 500,000 girls and women living in Europe have undergone FGM, and it is estimated that 170,000 women and girls are living with FGM in the UK today and that a further 65,000 girls under the age of 13 are at risk of the procedure. The first FGM figures in England, released last year, show that between April 2015 and March 2016 there were almost 6,000 new cases of FGM reported.2 FGM is a violation of the rights of girls and women. 50 per cent of all cases of FGM recorded in England are in London. The practice of FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985. The law was strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling from the UK and undergoing FGM abroad. In October 2015 a mandatory reporting duty, which requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report 'known' cases of FGM in under 18s to the police, came into force. While laws are in place to stop FGM, we know legislation is only part of the solution. Prevention and education are important - training is key to empowering professionals and communities to speak up about what is going on in London, and schools need to take the right steps to protect vulnerable girls from FGM. The Mayor has said that tackling FGM will be an important part of his mayoralty. The campaign against the practice of FGM has gained significant momentum in the last few years. Positive steps have been taken to tackle FGM, and we have moved in the right direction. However, FGM is a hidden crime, is still taking place, and many girls remain at risk. It is apparent that there is still much more to be done to end this practice. In January 2017, the London Assembly held a conference that brought together frontline professionals with responsibility for tackling FGM from across the capital. It provided an opportunity for professionals to share best practice and talk frankly and openly about the challenges and barriers to tackling FGM. Details: London: London Assembly, 2017. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 4, 2017 at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_assembly_report_-_tackling_fgm_in_london.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_assembly_report_-_tackling_fgm_in_london.pdf Shelf Number: 147544 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: KPMG Title: The cost of violence against women and their children in Australia. Final Detailed Report Summary: Understanding the total cost of violence against women and their children is critical to support the implementation of The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan) Violence against women and their children is a crime and a fundamental breach of human rights. It has significant and far-reaching implications for its victims, their children, their families and friends, and the broader Australian economy. It is estimated that in this year alone, over one million women have or will experience violence, emotional abuse and stalking. The implications of experiencing violence can include long term social, health, and psychosocial impacts, death, and broader financial and the economic impacts on individuals and the broader community and economy. Addressing the issue of violence against women and their children is complex, and will necessitate generational change and ongoing and targeted investment into long term solutions. The collective commitment by Commonwealth, state and territory governments made by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) towards the development of the National Plan represented an important step towards developing a national approach to reducing the prevalence of violence. The National Plan identified the importance of establishing a more comprehensive and consistent evidence base to better inform policy decisions on a jurisdictional and national level. Significant momentum for change has also been created by Rosie Batty's extensive public awareness raising, the 227 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence (Victoria), and the release of the Queensland Government report and recommendations Not Now, Not Ever - Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland. - Recent studies have found that there are a number of key challenges to understanding the cost of violence, due to limitations in the data in understanding the prevalence and impacts of violence for specific cohorts, geographies, and forms of violence. - Our understanding of violence is also evolving - as new research, data and information is made available, the definition of violence is being refined and expanded. The purpose of this Technical Report is to progress the development of the evidence base informing The National Plan and the Third Action Plan 2016-2019 - Promising Results. For the purpose of comparability of results, the approach is consistent with previous work undertaken, however, has been expanded and updated to reflect the most recent prevalence information, data and research. The Report updates and extends KPMG's 2009 calculations and analysis for Estimating the Cost of Violence Against Women and their Children. Details: Canberra ACT: Australian Department of Social Services, 2016. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 16, 2017 at: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2016/the_cost_of_violence_against_women_and_their_children_in_australia_-_final_report_may_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2016/the_cost_of_violence_against_women_and_their_children_in_australia_-_final_report_may_2016.pdf Shelf Number: 147694 Keywords: Costs of ViolenceDomestic ViolenceEconomics of CrimeFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "All of My Body Was Pain": Sexual Violence against Rohingya Women and Girls in Burma Summary: Burmese soldiers committed widespread rape against women and girls during the military's campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Rakhine State. Since August 25, 2017, more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled killings, sexual violence, and mass arson, seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. "All of My Body Was Pain" is based on 52 interviews with women and girls, including 29 survivors of rape. In many of the cases women and girls reported being raped by six or more soldiers. Women also described with great distress seeing security forces murder their young children or other relatives or neighbors. The journey to Bangladesh was particularly painful and difficult for survivors of gang rape walking with serious injuries and for pregnant women. Bangladesh and international donors have provided funds and critical services to assist the refugees. But numerous crimes against humanity have been committed without accountability for senior military officials or others responsible for the worst abuses. The United Nations Security Council should urgently implement a full arms embargo on Burma, impose targeted sanctions against leaders responsible for grave violations of human rights, and refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. Attention to sexual violence and other abuses suffered by Rohingya women and girls should be integrated into every aspect of the response to this human rights and humanitarian crisis. This includes rigorous investigations of the scope of sexual violence against the Rohingya, provision of medical and psychosocial services to survivors, and measures to prevent and respond to genderbased violence in refugee camps. Details: New York: HRW, 2017. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/burma1117_web_1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Burma URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/burma1117_web_1.pdf Shelf Number: 148282 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Coy, Maddy Title: 'Changing our Heads': Evaluation of the partnership between Shpresa Programme and Solace Women's Aid to develop a specialist service for Albanian Speaking Women experiencing violence in London Summary: In 2012, Shpresa programme, an Albanian community organisation, developed a partnership with Solace Women's Aid (Solace), a specialist VAWG support service, to engage Albanian Speaking Women (ASW) in London around experiences of violence and abuse. There are three elements of support and intervention in the project: - workshops on domestic violence, delivered by an Albanian speaking worker, which are incorporated into Shpresa's women's support group sessions (the ARISE project); - individual casework, also delivered by an Albanian speaking worker based at Solace (the Empower project); and - workshops with children and young people about domestic violence. While some organisations provide specialist support for women from Eastern European communities who are experiencing violence (see Thiara, 2015), this project is the first to combine the expertise of an Albanian community organisation and a VAWG service provider. This meant a knowledge exchange between the two organisations, extending the skills and capacity of Shpresa staff and volunteers about domestic violence, and of Solace about the needs of Albanian speaking women (ASW), was core to the partnership. The project wasfunded by Trust for London and the Henry Smith Charity. In September 2013, the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU) at London Metropolitan University were commissioned by Trust for London to evaluate the project. The evaluation brief required a focus on what lessons can be learned from this model of provision - a small community organisation acting as service commissioner - to inform the development of sustainable services for women from newly arrived communities in London. This final report is based on two years of delivery of the project, from 1st October 2013 to 30th September 2015. As a small scale process evaluation, the children's workshops were not included. The report: - sets out the background to the partnership between Shpresa and Solace; - provides an overview of the project context by summarising what is known about Albanian communities in the UK and on Albanian-speaking women and violence; - outlines the evaluation methodology; - presents evidence of how the project met its objectives; and - offers reflections on this model of partnership for future commissioning. The title of the report - 'Changing our Heads' - refers to the way that workers spoke about the process of challenging attitudes and values, and also speaks to changes in practices that were necessary by each organisation in this new partnership. Details: London: Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit London Metropolitan University,2016. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 15, 2018 at: http://solacewomensaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CWASU-evaluation-report-FINAL-VERSION-FOR-LAUNCH.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://solacewomensaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CWASU-evaluation-report-FINAL-VERSION-FOR-LAUNCH.pdf Shelf Number: 149154 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceVictim ServicesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Bendriss, Naima Title: Report on the Practice of Forced marriage in Canada: Interviews with Frontline Workers. Exploratory Research Conducted in Montreal and Toronto in 2008 Summary: This report follows an annotated bibliography conducted to begin to understand the phenomenon of forced marriage in Canada, the extent, the issues and context, the causes and consequences, and the means employed by frontline workers to help persons who are victims of such practices. To that end, this study was based on a qualitative survey of field workers who deal with this issue. It looked at two aspects: the situations of individuals faced with the prospect of a forced marriage, and the support provided by community workers. The first question is what is meant by forced marriage? The expression "forced marriage" refers to a marital union where one of the parties, and sometimes both, is forced to marry against their will. Such marriages are contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 16 of which provides that "[m]en and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses." Nonetheless, the practice of forced marriage persists in many societies and every year affects thousands of women, as well as men although in fewer numbers. It exists in Canadian society, but the extent is not yet known. This is why a first study on this subject was necessary. The goal of the survey that forms the basis of this report was to collect field data to begin to understand this practice, to study the form it takes, and its causes and consequences, to note the actions undertaken at the community intervention level to counter it, to identify some elements that can be used to develop policies, programs and preventive, educational and legislative measures, and finally . . . to pave the way for broader research on the subject. This qualitative study is strictly exploratory and is not based on any particular theoretical framework. It aims to answer the following questions: - What form does forced marriage take in Canada? - Are we looking at an actual social phenomenon, or rather isolated cases? - How do service providers perceive forced marriage? What distinction do they make between forced and arranged marriages? - What are the underlying causes of forced marriage? - What types of pressure are brought to bear on victims by their family and social circle? - How do persons threatened with a forced marriage deal with their family and social circle? - What type of assistance do service providers offer for people who are threatened with or who are victims of forced marriage? - What tools do service providers have to respond to these kinds of requests? - What role do service providers believe government institutions, civil society and educational institutions should play? - What recommendations are made by the service providers? Details: Ottawa: Department of Justice Canada, 2008. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 27, 2018 at: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/fm-mf/fm_eng.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/fm-mf/fm_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149266 Keywords: Forced MarriageViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Sultana, Razia Title: Rape by Command: Sexual Violence as a weapon against the Rohingya Summary: This report documents the widespread, systematic use of sexual violence by the Myanmar Army during its brutal "clearance operation”"in northern Rakhine State in the second half of 2017. This operation has driven over 680,000 Rohingya villagers into Bangladesh. Testimonies of 36 refugees, eight of whom are rape survivors, provide evidence that government troops raped well over 300 women and girls in or near at least seventeen villages across Maungdaw and northern Buthidaung townships, as well as in Maungdaw town, during the operation. With over 350 villages attacked and burned at this time, this number is likely only a fraction of the actual total of women raped. In the weeks before the official launch of the operation on August 25, thousands of Myanmar Army troops were deployed from existing military camps in Rakhine State, and from central Myanmar, to reinforce Border Guard Police posts throughout northern Rakhine State. These troops were the main perpetrators of sexual violence, at every stage of the operation. Before the start of the operation, the troops committed rape during security patrols and "anti-terror" raids in remote rural areas, where many men had gone into hiding for fear of arrest and torture. In two villages alone in northern Buthidaung, six women and one six-year-old girl were gang-raped by government troops in the weeks before August 25. However, the majority of rape incidents, involving hundreds This report documents the widespread, systematic use of sexual violence by the Myanmar Army during its brutal “clearance operation” in northern Rakhine State in the second half of 2017. This operation has driven over 680,000 Rohingya villagers into Bangladesh. Testimonies of 36 refugees, eight of whom are rape survivors, provide evidence that government troops raped well over 300 women and girls in or near at least seventeen villages across Maungdaw and northern Buthidaung townships, as well as in Maungdaw town, during the operation. With over 350 villages attacked and burned at this time, this number is likely only a fraction of the actual total of women raped. In the weeks before the official launch of the operation on August 25, thousands of Myanmar Army troops were deployed from existing military camps in Rakhine State, and from central Myanmar, to reinforce Border Guard Police posts throughout northern Rakhine State. These troops were the main perpetrators of sexual violence, at every stage of the operation. Before the start of the operation, the troops committed rape during security patrols and "anti-terror" raids in remote rural areas, where many men had gone into hiding for fear of arrest and torture. Details: Chittagong Bangladesh: Kaladan Press Network, 2018. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 8, 2018 at: https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RapebyCommandWeb3.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Bangladesh URL: https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RapebyCommandWeb3.pdf Shelf Number: 149322 Keywords: Rape Sexual Violence Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Azpuru, Dinorah Title: Approval of Violence towards Women and Children in Guatemala Summary: Main Findings: - Ranking highest in the region on tolerance for domestic violence, 58% of Guatemalans indicate that to some degree (either approving or "understanding") they condone a husband hitting an unfaithful wife - There are no gender differences with regard to approving of or rejecting violence towards an unfaithful wife - Less than 5% of Guatemalans believe that physical punishment should always or very frequently be used against children who disobey their parents. Nonetheless, 40.5% consider that such punishment is sometimes necessary, while 27.3% believe that it is almost never necessary - Approximately 15% of Guatemalans report that their parents frequently resorted to physical punishment while 41.7% indicate that they suffered such forms of punishment sometimes Details: Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, 2015. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: AmericasBarometer Insights: 2015 Number 123: Accessed March 20, 2018 at: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/IO923en.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Guatemala URL: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/IO923en.pdf Shelf Number: 149539 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against women, Girls |
Author: Roper, Laura Title: Strategic Review of the Program to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: El Salvador and Guatemala, National level, 2013-2015 Summary: Oxfam America's Campaign for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (CPVG) was launched in 2005 in El Salvador. Targeting both national and municipal government and using a creative combination of popular campaigning, research, innovative capacitybuilding with a range of actors, and lobbying, Oxfam America and its partners and allies successfully placed Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention on the policy agenda. From there, these efforts helped forge an unexpected political alliance so that legislators from the two main, and widely divergent, political parties approved the Comprehensive Special Law for a Life Free from Violence for Women, known as LEIV by its Spanish acronym, in 2011. Seeing the potential of this approach to address the scourge of GBV, Oxfam America introduced the program in Guatemala in 2010. In the aftermath of this policy success and other related policy advances, the campaign revised its strategy and shifted its "focus on the application of new laws and policies in both El Salvador and Guatemala. It [looked] for political openings in different spaces on multiple levels: central, departmental, and municipal. This phase [had] a strong focus on generational change - in seeing youth (both male and female) as primary actors who can radically change the collective imagery with respect to gender relations and the decisions they can make to prevent gender-based violence." Under the new formulation, the Program for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (PPGV) continued to work with women at the community level to empower them to exercise their rights; to work with both boys and girls and adolescents in public schools to change their attitudes and practices regarding gender roles and the permissibility of GBV in the home, school, or community; to work with municipalities and women's organizations in inter-institutional spaces to further develop and implement GBV prevention strategies and activities; and to achieve implementation of public policies through the strengthening of social and institutional mechanisms for the obligatory application of national and local laws. This focus was meant to capitalize on the formal, systemic change Oxfam had helped foster, taking advantage of legal frameworks in each country that had a series of laws addressing domestic violence, gender-based violence, laws against trafficking, and laws and policies related to the rights of the child and gender equality. At the same time, it sought to address informal norms, beliefs, and practices regarding GBV in a broader context of societal (gang) violence and a culture of impunity that disempowers the public. FOCUS AND METHODOLOGY OF STRATEGIC REVIEW This strategic review, which covers program implementation between 2013 and 2015, focuses primarily on activities at the national level within the judicial, legal, and, to some extent, educational systems, with some attention of the interface at the municipal level. The review is based primarily on open-ended, semi-structured key informant interviews conducted in Guatemala and El Salvador over a two-week period in January. These interviews were held with government officials engaged with the program; cofunding/collaborating organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, USAID/CHECCHI, Educo, and UN Women; and three partner organizations consisting of the Foundation for Justice and Gender, the Cultural Association for Performing Arts (Escenica), and the Association of Women of Santa Tecla. Additional material was gathered from document review of Oxfam and the Foundation of Justice and Gender (FJG) reports and primary source material from government websites. Finally, two one-day validation exercises were held in San Salvador on March 15, 2016 and in Guatemala on March 17, 2016. Relevant commentary and ideas from these sessions have been incorporated in this draft. There were several design limitations, principally very limited time in Guatemala, relatively limited documentation on the program, and inability to coordinate with the consultant doing a review of the community-level work. Consequently, there are some information gaps in the document, but sufficient information to draw strong conclusions in some areas and more qualified ones in others. Details: Boston: Oxfam America, 2016. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2018 at: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Strategic_Review_of_the_Program_to_Prevent_Gender-based_Violence_-_Final_Report_2015.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Latin America URL: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Strategic_Review_of_the_Program_to_Prevent_Gender-based_Violence_-_Final_Report_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 149540 Keywords: Family ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: American University. Washington College of Law. Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Title: Gender Perspectives on Torture: Law and Practice Summary: I once asked a Guatemalan public defender how she knew when a woman's murder was the result of gender-based violence and not a simple homicide. She showed me several pictures of women's half or fully naked bodies exhibiting obvious signs of torture, mutilation, and violent sexual assault prior to their deaths. She said that was how women's bodies were usually found. That was the difference between gender-based violence and simple homicide. Women's bodies are often used as instruments to send messages of terror, or as instruments of pleasure, or as instruments of experimentation. In all of these cases, gender-based violence is recognizable because of its profound denial of personhood. The common thread running through the collection of articles presented in this publication is that women's bodies are still looked at and treated as instruments, or means to achieving a goal, rather than as autonomous individuals. Killing a body to end a life is different than killing a body to send a signal. In both cases, the person is refused her or his basic right to life, but in the latter, the person is a mark, a sign for others to see and use. The first chapter of this volume elaborates on the notion of gender-based violence, the need to incorporate a gender perspective in legal systems in general, and the responsibilities of States with regard to those at the margins of legal protections. Although gender-based violence has existed since the beginning of time, it has only entered the realm of human rights as a specific issue within the last decades. International human rights law, traditionally, has not protected women from the harms they have suffered as a result of being women. As with the rest of legal and political institutions, women have had to struggle for their experiences to be recognized. The invisibility of women's harms has also included a lack of reparations with a gender perspective; if the suffering women have endured is not understood, its consequences cannot be adequately addressed. Owing to the inclusion of a gender perspective, human rights treaty bodies have started to include reparations that put women, and not only their families or communities, at the center of their analyses. The new trends in international human rights are welcome by the international community, but they have not necessarily translated into substantive protection of women's and girl's rights, and States must work to ensure that they carry through with their obligations to investigate incidents of gender-based violence and provide redress for victims. Chapter two examines specific forms of violence that women and girls experience throughout the world, including honor killings, female genital mutilation, pregnancy and virginity testing, and the use of forced contraception and addresses the need to advance the humanization of women's rights. States have been reluctant to introduce laws opposing these forms of violence on grounds that certain practices are based on culture or religion. Although international human rights law protects the right to freedom of religion, sexual-based violence cannot be excused on religious grounds, and it has taken too long for laws to begin to act against practices that constitute torture or ill-treatment. The chapter invites readers to view women as the protagonists of human rights standards rather than continually framing men as the central figures of such rights; the standard of protection cannot always be viewed through the lens of male actors. The chapter then moves beyond the gender perspective as a tool to protect women and analyzes the need for the specific recognition of harms suffered by trans and intersex individuals. Perhaps one of the most important challenges that legal systems face is the deconstruction of the male-female binary, and international human rights is not shielded from this challenge. The chapter reinforces the need for human rights to go beyond the binary with regard to the protection of individuals by analyzing how torture and ill-treatment has played an intricate role in the lives of a whole category of individuals. For many trans and intersex persons, torture and ill-treatment are a constant in their lives and this chapter invites us to better understand what torture and ill-treatment means from the perspective of these individuals. The third chapter focuses specifically on deprivation of liberty, and the torture and ill-treatment that often take place under custodial settings. Vulnerability increases in detention facilities, even when the detention is considered lawful. In the cases of LGBTI individuals, who are at greater risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system, once in custodial settings they are subject to brutality and abuse by prison authorities and fellow inmates. This violence is usually underreported and tends to be ignored by State officials because of the underlying assumption that people of diverse sexualities "deserve punishment" for not conforming to traditional gender roles. For custodial settings to cease being places of torture and ill-treatment for LGBTI individuals, violence must be understood from a gender and sexuality perspective. For prison officials, this means not placing trans individuals, whose legal names may not correspond to the gender with which they identify, in solitary confinement because they are unsure of where to house them-it simply replaces one form of violence with another form. The chapter also addresses how criminal justice systems are structured around the idea of a male detainee. Incarcerated women-and their visitors-often endure invasive and humiliating searches, where the women are forced to undress in front of unqualified male officers who may also perform unnecessary body cavity searches. These techniques are not used with the legitimate purpose of ensuring safety within the detention facility, but rather to dehumanize and assert power over the already powerless. This is even more serious when it affects young girls. Criminal justice systems are also not structured with families in mind; "ideal perpetrators" are not only male but also single and with no dependents. Women detainees tend to be mothers with children and usually in a position of vulnerability with nobody to care for their children. In these conditions, it is not uncommon to find detention facilities and jails where children live with their mothers for some time, increasing the incarcerated population to include children, who at a young age, develop their first connections with the world through the prism of a detention facility. A gender perspective requires legal frameworks that look at detained persons not as isolated beings, but as individuals with dependents and family connections. Chapter four considers torture and ill-treatment within the context of women's health care and reproductive rights. Women face mistreatment when seeking maternal health care, undergo forced sterilizations, can face criminal repercussions for self-inducing abortions, and are often denied safe and legal abortion services. It is not uncommon for women in custodial settings to deliver their babies while in shackles, and this chapter explores how the lack of adequate maternal health care can amount to ill-treatment or torture. Depriving women of their right to reproductive self-determination is an additional example of how States have long-ignored the needs of women as citizens. A traditional concept of torture does not allow for an understanding of the common experiences of women, and this chapter expands on the idea that torture and ill-treatment not only occur in situations where government actors themselves are the perpetrators of harm, but when the government allows harms to occur out of a complete disregard for women's bodies. To understand how the lack of adequate maternal care or reproductive rights can be so severe that it amounts to ill-treatment and even torture, one simply has to compare the experiences of women-be it forced sterilization, lack of access to painkillers during childbirth, or lack of abortion regulations-with international human rights standards, and it becomes clear that often ill-treatment, torture, and the experiences of women are all the same. In that sense, this volume expands on the important and influential report by the former Special Rapporteur on Torture on the issue of women and torture. Restrictions on reproduction have long been used to control women's bodies and entire populations, and legal systems, including the norms, standards, and rules of international law, have denied women from seeing their harms recognized as such. Rape was not considered torture until recently; it was not worth the time of special war crime tribunals or worth the time of international treaty bodies. But this is changing, and this publication is a testament to that change. Seeing torture as a gendered practice requires a specific gaze that for most people is a learned process. Only recently have our legal systems started viewing and treating women as individuals. Only recently have legal systems understood and given a name to women's specific harms. In the case of LGBTI persons, those strides are still in their infancy. Despite how widespread and deep-rooted violence against women has been for centuries, torture and ill-treatment were primarily viewed and analyzed through a "male as the main victim" lens. This publication takes a formidable step toward debunking the myth of heterosexual cisgender men as exclusive victims and reinforces the need to integrate women's rights and sexuality perspectives into the mainstream of international human rights. Details: Washington, DC: The Center, 2018. 344p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2018 at: https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/center/documents/gender-perspectives-on-torture/ Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/center/documents/gender-perspectives-on-torture/ Shelf Number: 149650 Keywords: Female Genital MutilationGender-Based ViolenceHonor-Based ViolenceHuman Rights AbusesTortureViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Carrillo, Roxanna Title: Not A Minute More: Ending Violence Against Women Summary: Violence against women and girls kills and maims vast numbers; it fills their lives with pain and terror, from which some never recover. It exists in every country of the world in some form, and the statistics paint a horrifying picture: 40 per cent of all female homicide victims in the United Kingdom are killed by their intimate partners; every year thousands of women suffer dowry-related deaths or are disfigured by acid thrown in their faces by rejected suitors in Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. In 2002, the Council of Europe declared violence against women a major cause of death and disability for women 16 to 44 years of age and called it a public health emergency. And in the United States, the health-related costs of rape, physical assault, stalking and homicide by intimate partners are more than $5.8 billion every single year. Globally, the World Bank estimates that violence against women is as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer and a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria combined. One in three women throughout the world will suffer this violence in her lifetime; she will be beaten, raped, assaulted, trafficked, harassed or forced to submit to harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). In the majority of cases, the abuser will be a member of the woman's own family or someone known to her. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that violence in general has not abated. Whether it breaks out as full-scale war, ethnic or religious conflict, terrorism or the violence that regular unabated? The answer is deceptively simple, but the solution is deeply complex: gender inequality fuels violence against women and the power imbalances it creates are not easily rectified. As long as women in diverse countries do not have access to property and employment and equal wages, to the seats of power, to education, it is possible for governments to ignore them and their needs. Our work to end violence against women must be a conscious part of our work towards the empowerment of women in general. We cannot change the basic structures of society overnight. But each step in the ongoing effort to eradicate violence puts more pressure on those who condone the violence and allow it to exist. Each step makes it harder to ignore the international agreements to protect and promote women's human rights. This is the moment for a renewed commitment to build on the achievements of the last decades and find the resources for meaningful action. Without this commitment, much of what has been achieved may be lost. That would be a tragedy for all of us, since, as we have learned, women's security is tied to global security. In the words of the UN Commission on Human Security (Human Security Now, 2003): "The security of one person, one community, one nation rests on the decisions of many others, sometimes fortuitously, sometimes precariously." In our interconnected world, we are all affected by the decisions of individuals and nations whether close to home or on the other side of the world. Gender-based violence is part of an intricate web of violence. The trafficking of women is linked to the trafficking of drugs and arms, and an increase in criminality. Rape and sexual abuse are tied to the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS and the destruction of families. Impunity for violence against women suggests impunity for criminal behaviour and the disintegration of the rule of law. Violence against women is tied also to the brutality of war, an issue that was taken up extensively in Women War and Peace, an independent expert assessment commissioned by UNIFEM and published in 2002. Our goal in this report is to highlight achievements and indicate what must be done to build on these achievements. The report provides examples of good practices as well as of efforts that did not meet the goals set out for them - and explores why not. It looks at the challenges ahead, and asks what the most fruitful next steps might be. The work of the last decades indicates several directions for the future, but one of the most critical areas is the need for collaboration and partnerships. No one government or international agency or civil society organization can hope to have an impact alone. Pooling resources, sharing strengths and knowledge and listening to local leaders will allow end-violence efforts to move to the next level. We hope that that the lessons gathered here will serve as a tool, a prod and an inspiration to those entrusted with building the rule of law and honouring human rights as the basis for human security everywhere. Details: New York: United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), 2003. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 10, 2018 at: https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/files/312_book_complete_eng.pdf Year: 2003 Country: International URL: https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/files/312_book_complete_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 117087 Keywords: Dowry DeathsGender-Based ViolenceGenital MutilationHomicideHuman traffickingRapeViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "One Day I"ll Kill You": Impunity in Domestic Violence Cases in the Brazilian State of Roraima Summary: Roraima is the deadliest state for women and girls in Brazil. Killings of women reached 11.4 homicides per100,000 women in 2015, more than double the national average. Studies in Brazil and worldwide estimate a large percentage of women are killed by partners or former partners. "One Day I'll Kill You" draws on documentation of 31 cases of domestic violence in Roraima and on interviews with victims, police, and justice officials. Women in Roraima often suffer abuse for years before they report it to the police. When they do, the government's response is grossly inadequate. Military police do not respond to all emergency calls from women who say are experiencing domestic violence. Some civil police officers refuse to register domestic violence complaints or request protection orders. Instead, they directvictims to the single "women's police station" in the state-which specializes in crimes against women- even at times when that station is closed. No police station in the state has private rooms to take victims' statements, and not a single civil police officer receives training on how to handle domestic violence cases. In Boa Vista, the state capital, police have failed to do investigative work on a backlog of 8,400 domestic violence complaints. Most cases languish for years until they are eventually closed because the statute of limitations on the crime expires-without any prosecution. The serious problems in Roraima reflect nationwide failures. Authorities need to reduce barriers for women to access the police and ensure that domestic violence cases are properly documented, investigated, and prosecuted. Details: New York: HRW, 2017. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/brazil0617_web.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Brazil URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/brazil0617_web.pdf Shelf Number: 149843 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceHomicidesIntimate Partner ViolenceProtection OrdersViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. HM Government Title: Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls: A Strategy Summary: 1. Addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a challenge for us all. It remains a key barrier to realising our vision of a society in which women and girls feel safe and confident in their homes and communities. The 'snapshot' data we have from individual studies reveals a shocking picture. In overall terms, around half of all women and girls in England and Wales could recall being victims of violence over their lifetime. - Nearly 1 million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse each year (British Crime Survey (BCS) self-completion questionnaire, 2007/08). - Close to 10,000 women are sexually assaulted every week (BCS self-completion questionnaire, July 2008). - At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence (Department of Health, 2002). 2. VAWG has a significant impact on the criminal justice system (CJS) although many cases never reach the CJS. The effects of VAWG go far wider than the criminal justice consequences, impacting on a wide range of other areas including health, children's services, education and housing. All government departments and local agencies therefore have a role to play. 3. A number of initiatives over the last decade have made a real difference, but many of these have focused only on specific offences. These distinctions can create artificial barriers. For example many women suffer both domestic and sexual abuse in the same relationship. Although the Government has published a number of separate plans in recent years for dealing with different problems, so far these have not been brought together in one place. 4. What is needed therefore is a co-ordinated approach to combating all forms of VAWG. This strategy represents our integrated approach to tackling this problem and supporting its victims across the three key areas of prevention, provision and protection. Details: London: HM Government, 2009. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b13a3472.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b13a3472.pdf Shelf Number: 117121 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Lyneham, Samantha Title: When saying no is not an option: Forced marriage in Australia and New Zealand Summary: As the world continues to develop better understandings of human trafficking and slavery in modern times, different manifestations of these practices are coming to light. Indeed, human trafficking and slavery continue to affect Australia and the Asia-Pacific region in more clandestine and insidious ways than might have been anticipated. This report addresses forced marriage, a slavery-like practice that has gained increasing attention in Australia and New Zealand since 2010 but has yet to form the focus of primary research that documents the experiences, decisions, views, and recommendations of victim/survivors and of the stakeholders that have engaged with them. The lack of data on the nature and context of forced marriage in Australia and New Zealand and on the potential consequences, both positive and negative, of criminalising this practice has resulted in insufficient evidence to support prevention and response mechanisms. This research therefore intends to provide policymakers, practitioners, and support providers with comprehensive knowledge about the problem as it affects both countries. Objectives and methodology The research had three primary objectives: - to explore perceptions and realities around forced marriage in Australia and New Zealand; - to describe the potential consequences of criminalising forced marriage; and - to review and identify where further policy development may be required to support the sectors and individuals impacted by this legislation. To address these objectives, thematic analyses of information derived from interviews with stakeholders (24 interviews with 38 participants), focus groups with stakeholders and community members (5 focus groups with 47 participants), interviews with victim/survivors (6 interviews with 7 participants) and victim/survivor case files (n=10) were conducted. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2018. 115p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Research Reports no. 11: Accessed June 15, 2018 at: https://aic.gov.au/publications/rr/rr11 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://aic.gov.au/publications/rr/rr11 Shelf Number: 150552 Keywords: Forced MarriageViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: George Washington University. Global Women's Institute Title: Community-Based Approaches to Intimate Partner Violence: A review of evidence and essential steps to adaptation Summary: This review focuses specifically on Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women, as opposed to Violence against women and girls (VAWG) more broadly, for several reasons. Partner violence is the most prevalent form of violence against women globally: a woman is at the greatest risk for suffering violence in her own home by someone she knows. A recent systematic review found that most of effective evaluations and programs on VAWG have been directed to IPV. This paper emphasizes results of these and other primary prevention programs, not because secondary and tertiary prevention programs are ineffective, but because primary prevention programs allow for macro-level programming that targets root causes of violence, such as harmful gender norms, to create generations of men, women, boys, and girls who not only no longer accept violence, but also feel empowered to eliminate it. To conclude, this methodological annex outlines the steps involved in adapting to new settings a community-based intervention to prevent intimate partner violence. While the precise nature of these steps will vary depending on the setting in which they are applied, the core ethical and effectiveness considerations here should remain true regardless of location. The authors hope that this note will help programmers worldwide to successfully transform community norms and prevent intimate partner violence. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2016. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 30, 2018 at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/907511467996712161/AUS16688-REVISED-Community-Programs-SinglePages.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/907511467996712161/AUS16688-REVISED-Community-Programs-SinglePages.pdf Shelf Number: 150947 Keywords: Domestic Violence Intimate Partner Violence Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Richard, Patrick Title: A Community-Based Intervention to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls in Haiti: Lessons Learned Summary: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is highly prevalent in Haiti and constitutes a serious public health problem. Social norms promoting power imbalance between women and men and condoning VAWG are also widespread. Changing these norms and curbing the cycle of VAWG in Haiti is an important step toward ensuring healthier, more productive, and safer communities in Haiti. This report documents the lessons learned from a review of the planning, implementation, and evaluation of community mobilization interventions concerning VAWG in Haiti, namely the SASA! program by Raising Voices and the Power to Girls program by Beyond Borders. The methods used to develop this report consist of a review of literature on VAWG prevention programs, as well as qualitative data collection with key informants in Haiti. Findings from this analysis will contribute to the broader literature on adapting, testing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based interventions in developing countries. Details: Washington, DC: Wilson Center, Latin American Program; Inter-American development Bank, 2018. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 31, 2018 at: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/a_community-based_intervention_to_prevent_violence-haiti_final.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Haiti URL: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/a_community-based_intervention_to_prevent_violence-haiti_final.pdf Shelf Number: 150987 Keywords: Community-Based ProgramsViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Brown, Eleanor Title: The Tackling FGM Initiative: Evaluation of the Second Phase (2013-2016) Summary: The Tackling Female Genital Mutilation Initiative (TFGMI) supported community based organisations (CBOs) to strengthen prevention of FGM at a local level across the UK. This document summarises key achievements and findings from the six-year Initiative, as well as highlighting recommendations for tackling FGM in the UK. achievements and key findings Reach and scale (2013 - 2016): - 26,607 individuals reached through various FGM awareness and engagement activities delivered by the TFGMI organisations. 73% of those who were engaged were women. - Since 2013 TFGMI organisations expanded the scope of their work and actively sought to engage with both men (6,746 in total - 3,884 in the Large Grants and 2,862 in the Small Grants) and young people (8,640 in total - 3,046 in the Large Grants and 5,584 in the Small Grants). - 6,402 frontline professionals (those with a legal duty to identify, report and respond to FGM) received training delivered by the TFGMI organisations. 26,607 individuals reached by tfgmi organisations 73% of those engaged who were women - Training was delivered to education (52%), health (18%) and social care (7%) professionals who reported an increase in their knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to FGM Details: London: Options Consultancy Services Limited, 2016. 74p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2018 at: https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/publications/tackling-female-genital-mutilation-initiative-2010-2016/ Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/publications/tackling-female-genital-mutilation-initiative-2010-2016/ Shelf Number: 151010 Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Khalifa, S. Title: Communities Tackling Female Genital Mutilation in the UK: Best Practice Guide Summary: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is recognised as a severe form of violence against women and girls and a human rights violation that affects at least 200 million women and girls (UNICEF, 2016) around the world. FGM is a practice that involves changing, altering or removing part of a girl or a woman's external female genitalia without a medical or health reason. The World Health Organization has classified FGM into four major types ranging from pricking the clitoris to narrowing the vaginal opening. Despite FGM being a deeply embedded social norm with complex and various sociocultural justifications, it is a harmful and dangerous practice which can result in severe physical and mental health complications. FGM is illegal in the UK and is a form of child abuse. The FGM Act 2003 and the Prohibition of FGM (Scotland) Act 2005 made it a criminal offence to perform FGM. The Serious Crime Act 2015 has also tightened legislation on FGM and added measures to protect girls and women from undergoing the procedure. More information about FGM legislation is available in the Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance on FGM (2016). Details: London: Tackling Female Genital Mutilation Initiative and Options Consultancy Services Limited, 2016. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 7, 2018 at: https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/publications/communities-tackling-female-genital-mutilation-uk-best-practice-guide/ Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/publications/communities-tackling-female-genital-mutilation-uk-best-practice-guide/ Shelf Number: 151046 Keywords: Female CuttingFemale Genital MutilationHuman Rights AbusesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Ruiz, Damaris Title: Breaking the Mould: Changing belief systems and gender norms to eliminate violence against women Summary: In Latin America and the Caribbean, 1831 women died at the hands of men in 2016, and three out of ten women have suffered male violence during their lives. In recent years, countries in the region have made significant progress in tackling the problem by adopting national laws to protect women. This legislative progress is a significant step forward, but gaps in implementation allow a culture of impunity for men who commit violence against women and girls. Without adequate financing and effective means to prevent, report and punish violence against women, the problem will not go away. This report provides insights into the prevalence of belief systems and gender norms among young women and men in the region. It looks in depth at the most entrenched beliefs and behaviours among the younger population and provides ample evidence that we must challenge and change the prevailing belief systems and gender norms if we are to make real progress in guaranteeing the right of all women and girls to a life free from violence. Details: Oxford, UK: Oxfam International, 2018. English summary; Full report in Spanish. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 10, 2018 at: https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/breaking-the-mould-changing-belief-systems-and-gender-norms-to-eliminate-violen-620524 Year: 2018 Country: Latin America URL: https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/breaking-the-mould-changing-belief-systems-and-gender-norms-to-eliminate-violen-620524 Shelf Number: 151103 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Dicker, Nicole Title: Policy Analysis: Australia's Commitments to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: This paper analyses Australia's commitments to ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) overseas as articulated in Australian aid policies and strategies as well as in domestic, regional and global documents. It answers the central question prompting the policy analysis: what has been Australia's policy position/emphasis on EVAWG over the last decade? The paper identifies the way in which sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has been positioned in key policies over the last ten years that have influenced the delivery of the Australian aid program; Australia's targets, commitments and public focus with respect to EVAWG; and emerging trends and issues of coherence. The paper has been prepared for the Office of Development Effectiveness which will be conducting an evaluation of Australia's development assistance towards EVAWG. This will be a ten-year follow up to ODE's 2008 evaluation Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of Australian policy engagement and development assistance to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls since 2008. This paper on Australia's policy commitments to EVAWG will inform the evaluation, particularly its accountability dimension. The findings presented in the paper derive from a desk-based review of key documents: Australian aid policy and strategy documents, including current Aid Investment Plans and Aid Partnership documents; Australian domestic policy and strategy documents; and global and regional policy, strategy and legal documents. The analysis revealed the Australian Government's strong commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, and preventing and reducing SGBV, both within Australia and internationally. The documents reviewed consistently highlighted the unacceptably high prevalence of SGBV, globally. They position SGBV as inherently linked to, and resulting from, gender inequality. The documents describe SGBV as criminal, a significant human rights violation, a form of discrimination against women, and threat to development. A major finding of this analysis is that gender equality and EVAWG have consistently been given importance in the policies of Australian Governments over the past decade. Documents reviewed also show that the emphasis Australia gives to promoting gender equality internationally has increased over the course of the last decade. This has been accompanied by a greater focus on EVAWG across the aid program. While EVAWG has been a consistent theme across Australian Government policies of the past ten years, Australia's policy emphasis on EVAWG has shifted. The Australian aid program has evolved over the last decade from positioning SGBV as principally a health concern, to a justice and security issue, to a complex development challenge requiring a variety of interventions spanning many sectors and issues and involving a broad range of partners. Aid policy documents show the Australian aid program to now emphasise a comprehensive approach to addressing SGBV. The approach combines improving the quality of services and responses, access to justice, and prevention. The documents reviewed contain numerous targets and commitments for EVAWG, cutting across a range of development issues/themes: gender equality, empowerment of women and girls and violence against women and girls; peace, justice and strong institutions; service provision; prevention; women and girls in conflict and disaster zones; disability-inclusive development; an integrated approach to EVAWG; global, regional and bilateral engagement with governments; research and reporting. The specific commitments are set out in the document; a list containing all targets and commitments is provided at page 16. Australia's development assistance can then be cross-checked against this list to assess the extent to which Australia has met its commitments to EVAWG. Details: Canberra, ACT: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2017. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 4, 2018 at: https://dfat.gov.au/aid/how-we-measure-performance/ode/strategic-evaluations/Documents/ode-evawg-policy-analysis.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://dfat.gov.au/aid/how-we-measure-performance/ode/strategic-evaluations/Documents/ode-evawg-policy-analysis.pdf Shelf Number: 152827 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Equality Institute Title: Literature Review: Ending violence against women and girls Summary: The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) is undertaking a strategic evaluation of Australia's development assistance to end violence against women and girls. This will be a ten-year follow up to ODE's 2008 strategic evaluation Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor (Ellsberg et al. 2008). The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of Australian support, and to make recommendations and provide practical lessons for Australia's future aid program and policy engagement. The evaluation team will visit Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Indonesia, with Skype interviews conducted with key stakeholders in Vanuatu and Pakistan. The objective of this literature review is to inform the ODE evaluation. This review provides a desk-based analysis of the available evidence about trends, innovations, and approaches to ending violence against women and girls. It informs the evaluation's key evaluation questions and will be used to triangulate other qualitative and desk-based evidence generated as part of the evaluation. While other literature reviews exist on this topic, this review intends to add a specific Asia and Pacific lens, with a focus on the approaches and research that are most strategic and relevant to Australia's aid program. The intended audience is DFAT staff with aid management responsibilities, Australian NGOs and implementing partners who may use the literature review and evaluation findings to improve future assistance to end violence against women and girls. Details: Canberra, ACT: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2018. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed October 4, 2018 at: http://apo.org.au/system/files/194461/apo-nid194461-1013371.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/system/files/194461/apo-nid194461-1013371.pdf Shelf Number: 152832 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses Title: 1990-2015: 25 Years of Femicide Summary: The Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) is a coalition of women shelters, second stage housing programs and Violence Against Women community-based organizations. Originally formed in 1977, they have and continue to advocate on issues related to violence against women through government relations, the development of training and resources, and public awareness campaigns. In 1995, OAITH began to formally document Intimate Partner Femicide (IPF), as it was reported on in the media. Overall, OAITH has the names of women and children who've lost their lives to violence since 1990, culminating into 25 years of data on IPF. In 2014, OAITH identified Femicide as a priority as we still continue to see women and children losing their lives. The aims of the project include: 1. Increasing our understanding of media reporting trends in the last 25 years 2. Identify the gaps and limitations of how Femicide is documented in the media 3. Create resources to bring increased attention to the systemic issues 4. Translate to the broader community that women and children losing their lives to targeted violence, is preventable. Through the analysis of a data set from 1990-1995, we examine victim characteristics including age, gender, relationship status, cause of death and geography. From 1995-2015 further analysis and recommendations on media representation are provided. Intimate partner femicide (IPF) can be defined as a homicide that occurs between individuals who have previously been, or currently are involved in some form of an intimate relationship. Statistics in Canada demonstrate that overwhelmingly women are victims of IPF while men are found to be the perpetrators. Specifically in 2013, 82% of IPF victims in Canada were women. The following information summarizes and discusses various aspects of IPF in Ontario from 1990 to 2015. This information was collected through newspaper media articles, and therefore must be understood within the context of what is and is not shared with the media and the limitations that exist as a result. These limitations are discussed further in depth toward the end of this report. Details: Toronto: The Association, 2016. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 19, 2018 at: http://www.oaith.ca/assets/pdfs/OAITH%201990-2015%2025%20Years%20of%20Femicide.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Canada URL: http://www.oaith.ca/assets/pdfs/OAITH%201990-2015%2025%20Years%20of%20Femicide.pdf Shelf Number: 153507 Keywords: Femicide Homicides Intimate Partner Violence Murders Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: O'Neil, S. Title: Summary: Definition of the problem More than 200 million girls and women alive today in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East have undergone some form of FGM (UNICEF 2016). Thirty million more are at risk over the next ten years. The WHO and experts around the world agree that FGM can have serious consequences on women and girls' physical and mental health. All EU member states have signed up to international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that seek to safeguard these rights and therefore make it mandatory for states to protect women and girls affected by, or at risk of FGM. Different organisations around Europe have developed strategies against FGM and legislative measures have been taken to protect victims. However, despite increasing commitment to combat FGM, there are still significant gaps in the approach to tackle the practice (EIGE 2013). Since FGM was brought up as an important health issue by the WHO in 1975, it has often been taken for granted that men's domination and control of women has an important role to play in the perpetuation of the practice (Almroth et al. 2001; O’Neill 2013). The UNICEF report (2013), however, showed that in 16 African countries the percentage of men who want to stop FGM is higher than the rate of women who want to stop FGM, apart from in Sudan and Nigeria (UNICEF 2013:70). This suggests that the role of men in the perpetuation of the practice either seems to have changed or has been misunderstood. The UNICEF report further shows that in 8 countries the rate of women who think that men want FGM to end is significantly lower than the reality. In Guinea Conakry, for example, 12% of women think that men want to stop whereas in reality 42% of men want the practice to end (2013:72). This seems to point to a lack of communication between men and women, which the report confirms (2013:72). It has also often been claimed that in African countries where FGM is practised, men have a sexual preference for women who have undergone FGM (Hosken 1993). The recent UNICEF (2013) report however shows that in 12 countries only between 1-7% of men feel that the practice increases their sexual pleasure (UNICEF 2013:76). Regarding health consequences, a study in the Gambia showed that 72% of respondents did not know that FGM had a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of girls (Kaplan et al. 2013). In a behavior change study by Shell-Duncan et al. (Shell-Duncan et al. 2011) it was found that if men were involved in the decision on whether their daughters should undergo FGM, they were more likely to remain uncut. Little is actually known about African men's views on the practice in Africa and in Europe. A mixed methods study (qualitative and quantitative research) was conducted in Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands to increase knowledge of men's role in the perpetuation of the practice. This research is part of a European Daphne project "Men Speak Out" coordinated by GAMS Belgique with three main work streams: research, training and an awareness campaign aiming at engaging men in the prevention of FGM. Objectives of research The objectives of the qualitative research was to increase knowledge on the men's role in the perpetuation of the practice by addressing 4 key issues: 1. Men's understanding of FGM as a health risks and human rights violation, 2. Communication between women and men about the practice of FGM, 3. Men's opinions about FGM, 4. Male involvement in the decision making process to end the practice. The objective of the quantitative study was to estimate the proportion of men who are in favour of the continuation of FGM in Europe as compared to in their country of origin. The aim was therefore to find out whether migration and residence in Europe affects men's attitudes towards FGM. Study sites The study sites were Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK in collaboration with the community based organisations FORWARD UK, GAMS Belgium and HIMILIO foundation (The Netherlands) who have extensive experience campaigning against and conducting research on the practice. Details: Brussels, Belgium: Men Speak Out Project, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2019 at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321214035_Men_have_a_role_to_play_but_they_don't_play_it_A_mixed_methods_study_exploring_men's_involvement_in_Female_Genital_Mutilation_in_Belgium_the_Netherlands_and_the_United_Kingdom_Men_Speak_Out Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: https://www.srhr-ask-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FGM_MaleResponsibility.pdf Shelf Number: 154087 Keywords: Female CircumcisionFemale CuttingFemale Genital MutilationGender-Related ViolencePublic HealthViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Sexuality Programs Working Group Title: Tackling the Taboo: Sexuality and Gender Transformative Programmes to End Child Marriage Summary: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY The control and regulation of sexuality - in particular, the control of adolescent girls' sexuality - remains a critical and often unaddressed way in which gender inequality manifests across different cultural contexts. Virtually all communities place legal, religious, political or socio-economic restrictions on: - how sensuality, intimacy and pleasure are experienced - how people - in particular girls - express their sexuality, including sexual orientation and gender identities - how people engage in sexual and other intimate relationships - how they understand and ensure their own sexual and reproductive health - the exercise of sexual agency and bodily autonomy in general. For adolescent girls, these restrictions are exacerbated because age and gender are key dimensions of power inequalities, and girls usually lack access to power and are highly constrained in their ability to make decisions for themselves. Marriage, as a social, cultural and economic institution, also plays a key role in this control of girls' sexuality and bodily autonomy. Over the past few years, there has been a growing awareness that patriarchy and the control of sexuality matter in terms of understanding both the complex causes of and the diverse solutions to the practice of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Girls may struggle to develop a healthy view of their sexuality in the face of prevailing beliefs that deny their sexual desires and define female sexuality as passive and vulnerable. Girls' lives and mobility are under constant scrutiny, and any deviation from the dominant gender norms is severely penalised. The sexuality and mobility of married girls, too, is often highly restricted and limited to household activities and childbearing. The Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Sexuality Programs Working Group (CSPWG) commissioning this report acknowledges that sexuality is intrinsically linked with power dynamics and as such requires an understanding of different dimensions of inequality including age, class, caste, sexual orientation and gender identity and highlights the importance of challenging practices of CEFM with gender-transformative approaches (GTAs). The ultimate goal of this research is to identify promising gender-transformative programming that addresses sexuality and links with reducing CEFM, including by highlighting promising gender-transformative work taking place in politically and culturally conservative contexts. This research foregrounds successful empowerment approaches that consider the inequalities and harmful social norms that married and unmarried girls and young women disproportionately face, and focuses on and identifies initiatives that recognise and support girls' autonomy with skills, knowledge, and agency (including sexual agency). Working definition of gender-transformative programming Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs), seek 'to reshape gender relations to be more gender equitable, largely through approaches that free individuals across the gender spectrum from the impact of destructive gender and sexual norms'. Gender-transformative approaches encourage critical awareness of gender roles and norms; promote the position of girls and women; challenge the distribution of resources and allocation of duties between men and women; and/or address the power relationships between girls and women and others in the community, such as service providers or traditional leaders. The ultimate aim of GTA is to achieve gender equality, empowering women, girls and gender non-conforming young people, promoting health and eliminating violence. Gender-transformative approaches may require working at all levels of an ecological model (individual - family/ relationships - communities – society etc.) and may be highly contextually specific. Research methodology -- The consultant team undertook extensive information-gathering and a detailed analysis of selected programmes and organisations to identify and understand promising programming and approaches with potential for replication. Through a highly iterative process with multiple phases, a review of 190 programmes was narrowed down to a pool of 26 using a set of parameters developed in consultation with the CSPWG and based on existing knowledge of what constitutes gender-transformative sexuality programming. The analysis of the 26 short-listed programmes surfaced promising approaches and positive outcomes linked to sexuality and CEFM. The project put special effort into uncovering lesser known and under-documented grassroots organisations, as well as paying attention to diversity, including context and geography among other factors. Nevertheless, a large number of organisations were excluded from the analysis due to lack of response or ability to provide documentation. FINDINGS -- Addressing the control of adolescent sexuality from a rights framework that includes issues like consent, choice, and pleasure is very challenging. Such efforts are often met with reluctance and resistance at all levels - from families, communities, schools, health service providers, community-based organisations, government officials, and policymakers. Issues around sexuality are widely considered to be taboo, and the extreme sensitivity around these issues is palpable. In particular, organisations working in highly conservative and religious settings tend to use other entry points to address sexuality (sports and formal education scholarships, for example), and some introduce the topic of sexuality through more general or indirect lenses (through health or hygiene). The review looked carefully at promising approaches that are making significant strides in achieving normative and legal change and positively impacting the lives of girls. While even well-articulated programmes that involved the parents and the communities experienced some form of backlash, it can be argued that this iterative and complex journey is already 'transformative' as it shakes the foundations upon which unequal gender norms are established. Below are some of the components of programmatic success found through this review. The full report and findings will be available later in 2018. - Grounding programmes in the contexts where they are implemented Formative research ahead of programme design and implementation is critical to understand the specific local drivers of CEFM (including gender norms) and the ways in which sexuality is generally conceived in a community. In addition, in-depth contextual analysis helps to gain community trust and develop tailored strategies. Hiring staff that know the values and practices of their community is also instrumental in building trust, gaining community buy-in, and driving change. This is especially important when addressing issues around sexuality, to minimise backlash against the language and approaches used during programme implementation. But it is important to note that, even with the involvement of communities, resistance and opposition are still very common. Interestingly, some organisations have found that this process of dealing with and responding to opposition can be part of the journey of transformation that leads to longer-term and more sustainable change. - Gender-sensitive, flexible, context-specific and relatable curricula The majority of organisations note that the language used in curricula should be given special attention to ensure that it is culturally appropriate, as well as relevant and relatable - using, for instance, current and site-specific case studies. Curricula, some argue, must be developed with a grassroots approach, starting with the girls and boys themselves and engaging them in the actual design and adaptation processes. Many organisations have their curricula and resource materials evaluated and pilot-tested before implementation, making any necessary revisions with the help of reviewers drawn from among the target girls themselves, and from civil society representatives, religious scholars, educators, subject experts, teachers, and parents. - Girls as agents of change and leaders: ownership, involvement, and training Young people need to be recognised as crucial partners in sexual and reproductive health interventions, and not treated merely as recipients or beneficiaries. Indeed, girls' ability to speak up for their own rights played a major part in the achievement of some of the organisations' results: once they asserted their own rights, it was generally easier for others, such as their parents, to support their decisions. However, as the YP Foundation points out, "young people don't just run on motivation and fresh air"; strong support networks are needed, as well as strategies that include connecting participants and graduates with further learning and development opportunities. Beyond training young people and strengthening their individual leadership skills, many organisations note that collectivising girls to take joint action has empowered them to voice their opinions and concerns at the community level and enabled them to collectively work out solutions to their problems. Once girls form a critical mass that is seen in public behaving according to new social norms, these new platforms can sustain other activities and efforts that benefit other women in their communities. - Community ownership: partnerships with parents and other gatekeepers Established networks and trust within communities are widely cited as indispensable assets in the implementation of activities that address sensitive issues. When working with adolescent girls, who seldom have a voice in the public sphere, it is critical to create an enabling community environment through community mobilisation and involvement. Consulting, engaging with and securing buy-in from religious leaders and religious scholars may be very important in informing and developing strategies of resilience to any backlash. Parents and adult community members are critical gatekeepers to changing the social institutions that support CEFM and hamper girls' bodily integrity and sexual agency. Securing their support from the outset can help reduce resistance and identify allies and partners. - Addressing gender norms and challenging stereotypes about femininity and masculinity by engaging men and boys as active agents of change for gender equality Challenging inequitable gender norms is at the core of successful gender-transformative programming and is a critical approach for achieving sexual and reproductive health rights and CEFM outcomes. Besides working with girls and women, most successful approaches not only involve, educate, and empower men and boys, but challenge them to understand and reject their privilege, toxic masculinities, and to hold other men and boys accountable. To achieve this, successful programmes tap into young men's interests, whether through a particular vehicle for intervention (e.g., sports), or through its content and messaging (e.g., tailored to incorporate key issues facing young men). - Careful selection, training, and ongoing support of teachers, mentors and facilitators based on clear, well-articulated, and fully agreed principles The attitudes and aptitudes of teachers, mentors, or facilitators around content areas such as sex and gender are key to the successful implementation of the programmes. The selection process should include assessment of a candidate's ability and willingness to teach the curriculum. For example, they must be fully accepting of different aspects of sexuality and should address any prejudices or discomfort they may have beforehand (e.g. with regard to homosexuality or sex before marriage). Before a programme starts, some organisations conduct "values clarification" exercises to ensure whoever is delivering the curriculum fully embraces feminist principles of equal and inalienable rights. While conducting gender-transformative training and "staff transformation" is embedded in the theory of change of a few organisations or programmes, the training and support of teachers, mentors, and facilitators remains a weak component of many organisations. Finally, to ensure consistent and appropriate messaging, it is necessary to regularly follow up with teachers, mentors, and facilitators. - Learning oriented program design, monitoring, and evaluation using evidence-based approaches A core set of learning and evaluation technical capacities were deemed essential to the sustained development, monitoring, and implementation of integrated programming over the long term. These capacities include sufficient monitoring and evaluation (M&E) experience, including participatory approaches; and the capacity to design, implement, and learn from gender-transformative programming. Learning focused M&E provides a basis for course-correction of existing programmes, including the design of additional programme elements that address any critical needs that may emerge. Investing in baseline research and other contextual analysis is also crucial to ensure that programming is clearly and appropriately fine-tuned to achieve results. Moreover, solid baselines are essential for project evaluation and can inform recruiting and retention techniques, as well as other areas of programme design. In some cases, robust evaluation results proved critical in making the case for scaling programmes up, or in ensuring that governments institutionalise programmes. - Ensuring sustainability and developing programmes on a long-term basis Achieving sustainability during and beyond programme implementation requires multi-pronged approaches and strategies that involve working with communities, government, and other stakeholders. Patriarchal gender norms and conceptions of sexuality are deeply rooted and normalised, making the process of ensuring sustainable change around gender and social norms (especially around sexuality) a complex one. Sustainable change requires patience, time, and continuity. Therefore, programmes should be long-term and with adequate resources to support them over time. RECOMMENDATIONS The forthcoming full review and findings will illustrate a substantial number of grassroots organisations working at the intersections of sexuality and CEFM, including some in highly restrictive settings. Based on the review, recommendations emerged for the broader field as well as programme implementers, funders, researchers, and advocates. A comprehensive conceptual framework is needed One critical recommendation emerging from the review is the need for a comprehensive conceptual framework for this type of work. The lack of a conceptual framework on the link between sexuality and CEFM or any agreed-upon measures of success may have negative implications for donors' willingness to fund sexuality work, which obstructs funding flows, dilutes the coherence and effectiveness of programme implementation, and hampers the adequate evaluation of results. It is important that a conceptual framework establishes common measurements and creates robust yet flexible definitions of success. Within CEFM work, it is important to prioritise indicators based on access to services and autonomous decision-making and quality of life in addition to age of marriage. Solely age-focused measures often ignore larger issues of gender inequality as well as issues of choice and consent about their lives and bodies. This conceptual framework should not only focus on the individuals but also seek to describe the ways in which communities and institutions determine and enforce social norms that govern sexuality for all persons, with particular attention to age and gender. Further discussion, research and guidance needed on criminalisation of adolescent sexuality Discussion, research and guidance is needed regarding the criminalisation of adolescent sexuality. Many organisations find themselves in the conundrum of how to respond to the intersections of control of girls' sexuality and CEFM in a way that respects girls' aspirations and desires while also recognising that social norms influence or restrict girls' choices in and outside of marriage. Recommendations for programme implementers 1. Empower girls to be advocates for themselves, create alternative pathways, and give young girls the skills needed to make changes in their lives possible. Programming should put gender-transformative work with girls at the centre. In order to reduce CEFM, it is imperative that programme implementers investigate and generate alternative choices and opportunities (for example advocating for additional years of schooling or income generating opportunities) so that girls and their families can refuse early marriage and not be at risk of sexual shaming, bullying, and physical attacks. Married and unmarried girls of all ages should be included in programming. It is critical to address issues of CEFM by examining the attitudes that underpin the perceived need to regulate girls' sexuality and push them into marriage. 2. Involve men and boys in programming. Work strategically and intentionally with boys and men to mutually reinforce and create a supportive environment for young girls to develop as autonomous individuals. Furthermore, working with boys from an early age is an important approach to challenge and change harmful norms regarding gender and sexuality. More creative approaches need to be developed to bring adult men in as partners for gender equality and to create opportunities. 3. Use an intergenerational approach. Empowering girls to better express their needs, wants and desires so that parents understand and value their daughters' aspirations is critical. Intergenerational approaches can create a more supportive environment within the home so that young people feel comfortable expressing themselves to parents. Intergenerational approaches may also enhance communities' understanding of the lived realities of married girls and women and allow for a broader understanding of how the institution of marriage can be used to limit girls' voices and choices. Approaches cannot focus only on prevention of early or forced marriage but must address the needs of already married girls. 4. Build partnerships with communities and governments to ensure sustainability during and beyond the programme. Sexuality is a relational phenomenon based in power structures and it cannot be addressed without involving individuals, families, communities and governments. Structural approaches that work at the different levels of the ecological model to decrease gender inequality and increased sexual autonomy are important to pursue. Without community-led approaches that bring together multiple stakeholders, programmes will not be successful in the medium or long term. A key aspect of building partnerships is developing trust and ensuring that information gathered is not only accurate but also created within a safe space. Additionally, there is a need to create messages that are appropriate across different levels and to be responsive to the differing needs of stakeholder groups. Doing so requires time, patience, negotiation skills and resources, all of which must be carefully planned for. 5. Mainstream gender-transformative approaches that include sexuality at all organisational levels. It is important that programmers are well-trained and feel comfortable discussing taboo issues. A critical part of the training should be "values clarification" and building meaningful girl engagement skills. Organisations working in this field need to build their internal capacity for gender-transformative programming and embed the practice of self-reflection on gender and sexuality within their organisations and their theories of change. 6. More specific gender-transformative work on sexuality that is inclusive of the most marginalised girls, including girls with disabilities or of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities is needed. The sexuality of people with disabilities - especially girls and young women - is widely overlooked by most programmes. Furthermore, work to encompass sexual orientation and gender identity should be further explored. Many programmes are gender-binary and only a few discuss or work to address these issues in detail. 7. Review all the additional key factors of success articulated in this report and study the feasibility of tailoring different approaches to different contexts, particularly mitigation strategies for backlash. For example, rigid processes and standardised project management procedures might not always be adequate when working on sexuality. It is advisable to include language in project proposals about the need for adaptive programming and high levels of flexibility (which might also have an impact on budgets), and incorporate well-articulated risk and mitigation strategies accordingly. Details: New York, NY: American Jewish World Service, 2018. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 14, 2019 at: https://ajws.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tackling-the-Taboo.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.girlsnotbrides2018.org/what-does-gender-transformative-sexuality-programming-look-like-and-why-does-it-matter/ Shelf Number: 154155 Keywords: AdolescentsChild MarriageEvidence-Based ApproachesForced MarriageGender InequalityGender NormsGender-Transformative ApproachesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Sibenik, Michelle Title: A Critical Analysis of the Applications of Anti-Stalking Legislation in Victoria, Australia Summary: This research critically analyses the application of Victorian anti-stalking legislation and its efficacy in addressing stalking. A quantitative and qualitative content analysis of stalking cases heard in the County Court of Victoria was employed to identify the nature of behaviours being addressed as stalking crimes. Case analysis highlights a legislative framework that results in a blanket definition of stalking, where its malleable application is responding to both stalking victimisation and is stretched beyond the meaning of stalking. This highlights a highly discretionary and versatile law that is too broad and is applied inconsistently. Details: Melbourne: Monash University, 2018. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed February 7, 2019 at: https://figshare.com/articles/A_Critical_Analysis_of_the_Applications_of_Anti-Stalking_Legislation_in_Victoria_Australia/7151519 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://figshare.com/articles/A_Critical_Analysis_of_the_Applications_of_Anti-Stalking_Legislation_in_Victoria_Australia/7151519 Shelf Number: 154532 Keywords: Sexual Harassment Stalking Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Haushofer, Johannes Title: Income Changes and Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from Unconditional Cash Transfers in Kenya Summary: We use a randomized experiment in Kenya to study the impact of unconditional cash transfers on intimate partner violence. Transfers to women of on average USD 709 led to a 0.26 standard deviation (SD) decrease in physical violence, and transfers to men to a 0.18 SD decrease. Sexual violence was reduced after transfers to women (0.22 SD), but not men. We construct a theory which together with our empirical findings suggests that husbands use violence to extract resources, but dislike it otherwise. We observe large and significant spillovers: nonrecipient women in treatment villages report a 0.16 SD reduction in physical violence. Details: Working paper, 2019. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 14, 2019 at: https://www.poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/publications/GD-IPV.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Kenya URL: https://www.poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/publications/GD-IPV.pdf Shelf Number: 154975 Keywords: Cash Transfers Intimate Partner Violence Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Robinson, W. Courtland Title: Estimating trafficking of Myanmar women for forced marriage and childbearing in China Summary: Thousands of women and girls are being trafficked from Myanmar to China and forced to marry and bear children, according to new research led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kachin Women's Association Thailand (KWAT). Over 7,400 women and girls were estimated to be victims of forced marriage in four districts (Kachin State and Northern Shan State) in Myanmar and one Chinese prefecture in Yunnan Province along the border, with over 5,000 females forced to bear children with their Chinese husbands. While the Johns Hopkins and KWAT study was limited to a particular geographical region, findings from the study, supported by other empirical evidence, suggest that there are likely many more victims beyond the surveyed areas. "Victims of forced marriage suffer a range of rights violations and exposure to physical and psychological risks," said Courtland Robinson, PhD, associate professor in the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School and the report's lead author. "This research draws attention to the scope of the problem and to the urgent need for support services for victims." The report, "Estimating trafficking of Myanmar women for forced marriage and childbearing in China," is the first systematic effort to quantify the scale of a problem that has important implications for cross-border migration and marriage policies and protection programs. There are 34 million more males than females in China as a result of China's previous longstanding one-child policy, and this disparity is fueling bride trafficking from neighboring countries. In Myanmar, conditions resulting from conflict, land confiscation, forced relocation and human rights abuses have spurred widespread landlessness and joblessness, resulting in increased migration to China. Lacking proper documentation, language and education, Myanmar women are increasingly at risk of trafficking, including into forced marriage. Nearly 40 percent of women reported being forced into marriage in the districts examined in the report. A forced marriage is one in which either partner is unable to refuse entry or to leave the marriage without threat of penalty or menace. Roughly 65 percent of the women in forced marriages entered the arrangement through a recruiter or broker and, thus, met the criteria for being trafficked into forced marriage. One-third of the women interviewed bore children while in a forced marriage to a Chinese man and, thus, met the study's definition of being a victim of forced childbearing. The research was conducted between June 2017 and April 2018 in Kachin State and Northern Shan State in Myanmar and in Yunnan Province in China. Researchers conducted household surveys of a total of 400 women over the age of 18 in 40 sites in Myanmar and China. In addition, community key informants were used to obtain local estimates of populations, including migration patterns, in these 40 sites. These community-based estimates of female migrant populations were used in conjunction with the findings from household surveys-to estimate numbers of victims of forced marriage, forced childbearing and trafficking in the study sites and to make extrapolations to larger areas in Kachin State and Northern Shan State in Myanmar, and in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Prefecture in Yunnan Province. The study also found that victims of forced marriage suffer an increased risk for multiple health problems. Women and girls in forced marriages were 6.5 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence compared to women in autonomous (non-coerced) marriages. Researchers also found they were 4.7 times more likely to suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth and 4.6 times more likely to suffer the death of at least one child. The findings also highlight the dilemma faced by mothers who were forced to bear a child and the fact that they felt they were unable to exit the marriage regardless of how badly they were treated by their husbands. The report makes several recommendations to reduce forced marriages in the region: The Myanmar government should work to end the armed conflict in Kachin State and Northern Shan State, which has heightened levels of violence and increased levels of impoverishment, further spurring survival migration into China. The government of Myanmar should institute policies to protect Myanmar residents and would-be migrants through the issuance of personal identification documents that would provide them with proof of citizenship and nationality and enable them to obtain travel passes and work authorization in China. The Chinese government should allow women, girls, men and boys fleeing the conflict in Myanmar to access safe refuge and humanitarian aid in China, thereby reducing their vulnerability to being exploited and trafficked. China should also strengthen and enforce laws and regulations against forced marriage, forced childbearing and trafficking. Details: Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University; Kachin Women's Association Thailand, 2018. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 5, 2019 at: https://www.jhsph.edu/departments/international-health/news/_publications/ETFM_Full%20Report_07Dec2018_Final.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Burma URL: https://www.jhsph.edu/departments/international-health/news/_publications/ETFM_Full%20Report_07Dec2018_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 155350 Keywords: Forced Childbearing Forced Marriage Human Rights Abuses Human Trafficking Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Ofer, Nogah Title: Super-complaint : Police failure to use protective measures in cases involving violence against women and girls Summary: Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ) is a charity established in 2016 with the purpose of holding the state to account on its response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). Our Director, Harriet Wistrich, and our two solicitors, are specialists in civil claims against public authorities and public law. In addition to conducting our own strategic litigation we provide training to frontline organisations in the women's sector on failures around VAWG in the criminal justice system and the legal remedies available to address them. We also provide legal advice to frontline organisations and members of the public in individual cases involving policing and prosecution of VAWG. This super-complaint draws together failures by the police to utilise four separate legal protections that exist for the benefit of vulnerable people experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, harassment and stalking, the overwhelming majority of whom are women and girls. Whilst we analyse the circumstances surrounding each of these legal powers, it is important to appreciate the cumulative effect of these widespread failings, which together amount to a systemic failure on the part of the state to provide protection for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Use of these powers can prevent serious harm and a lack of response by police creates impunity, with perpetrators perceiving that there are no repercussions for their actions, and survivors perceiving that nothing happens when policing action is sought and that it is not worth reporting to police. This systemic failure persists despite the Government's avowed determination to address VAWG, since, as Home Secretary, Theresa May launched a Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls in 2010. It also persists some five years after HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICFRS) published its first thematic report on the policing of domestic abuse in 2014, with subsequent regular progress reports, the latest published only last month. The police service as a whole adopted a "positive action" approach to VAWG in 2008 , yet that has not been reflected in practice on the ground, as identified by HMICFRS in its reports. One in five women killed by a current or former partner in 2017-2018 had been in contact with the police . It appears from the evidence reported by frontline women's services, that lack of protection for women is on the increase, partly resulting from a lack of understanding of abuse by police officers so that available powers are not properly utilised, and partly due to under-resourcing of police forces. We shall consider these factors in more detail below. Not only is there a political and policy failure by the state to effectively tackle a social ill acknowledged to be of epidemic proportions (see statistics at page 9 below) but also a failure to meet the state's legal duties under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Our legal analysis below sets out the law around the state's positive obligations to protect the right to life (Article 2), prevent inhuman and degrading treatment (Article 3) and enforce respect for private and family life (Article 8). When the policing of VAWG is compared to that of other crime types, these breaches are clearly discriminatory, impacting disproportionately on women and girls (Article 14). We are concerned that the real hurdles to effective action to protect women from violence, abuse and coercion are not being tackled, and that despite the efforts devoted to it, the Domestic Abuse Bill will not produce the desired protection. The problems we see are not a lack of legal powers or a need for broad legislative change (though some changes in the law are identified in this super-complaint) but a failure to utilise existing legal powers. This seems to be due to the low priority accorded to VAWG, lack of training and effective supervision, a failure to apply deterrent sanctions on officers who disregard these duties, and chronic under-funding of frontline policing of VAWG. There seems little purpose in adding a Domestic Violence Protection Order to the statute books to lie unused, when similar existing orders are not being utilised. Outline of this report -- The four protective measures addressed in this super-complaint are: 1. Failure to impose bail conditions: a. Where suspects are interviewed following voluntary attendance and bail cannot be used; b. Where suspects are interviewed under arrest, release under investigation without bail, or release on bail without bail conditions; c. Where bail is not extended beyond 28 days 2. Failure to arrest for breach of non-molestation orders; 3. Failure to utilise Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Domestic Violence Protection Orders; 4. Failure to apply for restraining orders at conclusion of criminal proceedings; We shall briefly outline the wider picture on policing of VAWG, and then examine each of the four protective measures separately, and for each consider: - The view from the frontline - Information from other sources (where available) - The response of oversight bodies - CWJ's analysis and recommendations for action. Details: London: Centre for Women's Justice, 2019. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2019 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5aa98420f2e6b1ba0c874e42/t/5c91f55c9b747a252efe260c/1553069406371/Super-complaint+report.FINAL.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5aa98420f2e6b1ba0c874e42/t/5c91f55c9b747a252efe260c/1553069406371/Super-complaint+report.FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 155615 Keywords: Domestic ViolencePolice ResponsePolicing Domestic AbuseProtection OrdersRestraining OrdersViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Green, Donald P. Title: Silence Begets Violence: A mass media experiment in rural Uganda Summary: Violence against women (VAW) is widespread in East Africa, with almost half of married women experiencing physical abuse. Those seeking to address this policy issue confront two challenges. First, some forms of domestic violence are widely condoned; majorities of men and women believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife in a variety of scenarios. Second, victims and bystanders are often reluctant to report incidents to authorities. Building on a growing literature showing that education -entertainment can change norms and behaviors, we present experimental evidence from a media campaign attended by over 10,000 Ugandans in 112 villages. In randomly assigned villages, video dramatizations discouraged VAW and encouraged reporting. Results from interviews conducted several months after the intervention show no change in attitudes condoning VAW yet a substantial increase in willingness to report to authorities, especially among women, and a decline in the share of women who experienced violence. Details: New Haven, CT: Innovations for Poverty Action, 2019. 42p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 7, 2019 at: https://www.poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/publications/GreenWilkeCooper2019.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Uganda URL: https://www.poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/publications/GreenWilkeCooper2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155673 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceMass Media CampaignsPublicityViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Svanemyr, Joar Title: Review of the realisation of Norway's "Strategy for intensifying international efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilation for the period 2014-2-17" Summary: In 2014, the Norwegian government launched the Strategy for intensifying international efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilation for the period 2014-2017. This review is an assessment of to what extent the strategy has been realised, what the results are, and to what extent the channels and partners selected to implement the strategy has proved strategic to reach its objectives. According to the strategy, Norway's ambition is to "work to ensure that no girls are subjected to FGM, and that those who already have been are given the best possible care". Furthermore, it states, "The Government will now intensify Norway's efforts in this area by providing political, technical and financial support for the work to eliminate female genital mutilation." At an overall level, the government has realised these goals. It has increased its support to programmes aimed at ending FGM, it has expanded its support to civil society and international organisations and has continued to supporter the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme. It has also bolstered Norway's efforts to eliminate FGM in Ethiopia and intensified its cooperation with the Somali authorities. Concretely, the government said it was going to "[d]ouble its allocation to civil society and international organisations working to eliminate FGM, from NOK 25 million to NOK 50 million, as of 2015". The objective to allocate NOK 50 million to civil society organisations and international organisations (excluding the support to the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme) was achieved in 2015 and 2017. The government maintained the support to UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, which received in total NOK 60 million over the three-year period. The main civil society agreement partners are Tostan, Norwegian Church Aid, Save the Children, and AmplifyChange. Smaller amounts were allocated to IPPF, BLESS, FORUT, FOKUS, KFUK/KFUM and Digni. In addition, the World Health Organization has received earmarked support to strengthen the health system response to FGM and the Population Council has received funds to assist other organisations in strengthening their monitoring and evaluation systems and in developing research projects. The choice of channels and partners has been strategic in the sense that they have all documented promising results. The bulk of funding is channelled through organisations (i.e. NCA/SC and UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme) using approaches that are in line with a holistic, integrated, and multi-sectoral approach, which is now established as a 'best practice'. The selection of Ethiopia as a ‘pilot country’ has been successful in the sense that it has provided long-term specific funding for a nation-wide programme. The available data and reports are indicating that FGM has become less common in many parts of the country and the results are evidence of what can be achieved through sustained substantial presence and support in combination with a dedicated government. A significant decrease in the prevalence rates have been documented in several of the countries where organisations supported by Norway are operating. There is still a need, however, for long-term commitment to initiate and sustain change and to build competency. It takes time for organisations to build capacities, structures, and systems, and it takes time to build experience, credibility, and trust in the context within which they operate. Continuity in the support and approach clearly has a value in itself. The support to the pilot countries Ethiopia and Somalia should be sustained as well as the support to the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme and to the WHO. Some modifications in the total portfolio may be considered. There is still a lack of data on the impact of many programmes, and further strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation frameworks as well as more research are all needed to enable clearer conclusions on the effectiveness of the various approaches. Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2018. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: CMI Report No. 16: Accessed June 18, 2019 at: https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/6729-review-of-the-realisation-of-norways-strategy-for.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Norway URL: https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/6729-review-of-the-realisation-of-norways-strategy-for.pdf Shelf Number: 156520 Keywords: Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Human Rights Abuses Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Title: Tackling FGM in the UK: Intercollegiate Recommendations for Identifying, Recording and Reporting Summary: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a violation of a girl's rights as a child and her entitlement to her bodily integrity. It is a cruel act perpetrated by parents and extended family members upon young girls who are entrusted to their care. FGM is not simply an exotic or 'cultural' ritual that girls need to undergo, but a practice which has intolerable long-term physical and emotional consequences for the victims. FGM causes death, disability, physical and psychological harm for millions of women every year. There is strong evidence of a correlation between FGM and psychiatric disorders - with young girls and women presenting with psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that 66,000 women resident in England and Wales in 2001 had undergone FGM and over 23,000 under the age of 15, from African communities, were at risk of - or may have undergone - FGM. The United Kingdom is a signatory to two key international Conventions: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Article 24 of the CRC calls for the prohibition of all traditional practices that are prejudicial to the health and wellbeing of children across the globe. The UN has recognised FGM as torture and calls for its elimination as a form of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of girls and women. Efforts to eliminate FGM have been gathering pace globally, reflected in the UN General Assembly's call for intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilations issued in 2012. There is a growing consensus that the system is failing to protect girls from FGM and more needs to be done in the UK to intervene early in a child's life, and to safeguard those girls at risk. This cannot solely rely on isolated activities by civil society groups and the actions of individual professionals within an uncoordinated system, rather, we need to make systems work to support frontline professionals to identify and intervene to protect girls at risk of FGM. This requires leadership across the relevant agencies - health and social care, education and the police - and the development and implementation of comprehensive and integrated strategies for tackling FGM. It is known that the number of communities affected by FGM is growing and with increased migration from the countries where FGM is widely practised (see page 4), more girls in the UK are at risk of undergoing FGM. Yet at the local level, FGM is still not fully integrated into the child protection system and girls at risk of FGM are not receiving adequate protection from harm. Our data systems do not consistently record information on FGM to make the identification of girls at risk of FGM easier; nor is information on FGM shared formally and systematically between those professionals and organisations best placed to protect at risk girls, when they are least able to ask for help. This is despite the fact that the UK has specific legislation, which has outlawed FGM since 1985 (updated in 2003 to address FGM performed on UK citizens and permanent residents outside the UK). Provisions under The Children Act 1989, 2002, and subsequent statutory guidance have also been designed to enable and support professionals and institutions to intervene to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. There have been no prosecutions to date in the UK on FGM. A recent report of the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) Action Plan to address barriers to prosecutions on FGM has highlighted a major gap in the existing reporting duties for medical professionals, social care professionals and teachers in referring possible FGM cases to the police. A key recommendation from the DPP Action Plan is that consideration should be given to how existing mechanisms for reporting on FGM can be strengthened, for example through links between midwives and General Practitioners, in addition to assurances to the medical profession that information will be used sensitively. There is also a need for wider awareness of FGM as a crime among health professionals and identification of what is required by the police and prosecutors from health professionals to enable effective reporting of FGM crime. Implementation of the recommendations emanating from the DPP action plan will require strong leadership nationally and locally, collaboration among the various agencies, a willingness to share information as well as to change the culture and attitudes of frontline staff. Critical to this is an understanding that systems must be designed in ways that prioritise every child at risk of harm from FGM and ensure reporting of FGM. This means that all professionals must know their roles and responsibilities in eliminating FGM. The recommendations contained in this report from the Intercollegiate Group and its partners demonstrate solidarity to raise awareness of the need to intervene early to prevent FGM. They call for health and social care agencies, the Department for Education and the police to integrate FGM prevention into national and local strategies for safeguarding children from FGM abuse. By acting together, we can work towards the elimination of this illegal and abhorrent practice. Details: London: Royal College of Midwives, 2013. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/equalitynow/pages/313/attachments/original/1527599527/Intercollegiate_FGM_report.pdf?1527599527 Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/news/tackingfgmuk.pdf Shelf Number: 156512 Keywords: Female Circumcision Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Shell-Duncan, Bettina Title: A State-of-the-Art Synthesis on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What do We Know Now? Summary: Efforts to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) are a rising priority on many national and global agendas. Thus it is imperative to have a clear understanding of the scale and scope of the practice, and where it occurs, as well as the dynamics of change and the broader context surrounding it. This state-of-the-art synthesis offers a snapshot of the most recent data available as of July 2016 and the most relevant contextual information on key FGM/C issues in clear, non-technical language that can help inform policymakers, donors, programme planners, and other key stakeholders. Nationally representative data on the prevalence of FGM/C among girls and women ages 15-49 are available for 29 countries: Twenty-seven countries in Africa plus Yemen and Iraq. Fifteen of these countries show no clear evidence of progress, while in 14 countries, the practice appears to be declining. Two out of three affected women live in just four countries - Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan. In Indonesia, nationally representative data on FGM/C prevalence is available but only for girls under the age of 12 years. FGM/C also occurs in some countries that have not had any nationally representative surveys, such as India and Malaysia. The extent to which FGM/C is practiced varies greatly across regions within countries, and is most markedly associated with ethnicity. Increasingly, girls are undergoing FGM/C at younger ages, with most cut before the age of 5. The vast majority of girls are cut by traditional practitioners, and types I and II (clitoridectomy and excision) are the most common forms of cutting. Increasingly, women and girls in immigrant communities such as in the United Kingdom and in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are affected by the practice. Policies and programmes aimed at ending FGM/C must be attuned to the context in which the practice is embedded. Understanding the complex social norms and cultural value systems that often shape its meaning and significance is critical. Reasons given for the continuation of FGM/C vary across countries and cultures, and may change over time, though common rationales include: assurance of girls' or women's social status, chastity, or marriageability; religious identity; ritual marking of a transition to womanhood; maintenance of family honor and respect; and improvement of beauty and hygiene. Decisionmaking around FGM/C tends to be made within a broad social context, whereby the choices of parents or their daughters may be strongly influenced by other family or community members. Support for the practice is typically higher among those with less education, who live in rural areas, or who are from poor households. Despite these complexities, evidence in several countries shows that many men and women believe the practice should end, suggesting a promising window of opportunity for change. The currently available data is rich in information that can inform policymakers and programmers about where to focus attention and how best to implement and strengthen current efforts for abandoning FGM/C. The data points to "hot spot" geographic areas, identifies populations that may be more amenable to change, and highlights drivers, rationales, and patterns of influence related to the practice that should be acknowledged and addressed within policy and programmatic strategies. This synthesis also highlights how FGM/C data collection, analysis, and interpretation could be improved to fill some key gaps in our understanding and further guide the way forward. Details: New York: Population Council, 2016. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://www.popcouncil.org/uploads/pdfs/SOTA_Synthesis_2016_FINAL.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: https://www.popcouncil.org/uploads/pdfs/SOTA_Synthesis_2016_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 156514 Keywords: Female Circumcision Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Immigrant Communities Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Sanctuary for Families Title: Female Genital Mutilation in the United States: Protecting Girls and Women in the U.S. from FGM and Vacation Cutting Summary: This report documents the rising prevalence of female genital mutilation ("FGM") in the United States. It examines the current legal framework in place to address female genital mutilation when it is performed within our borders and through "vacation cutting," in which young women in the U.S. are sent abroad to undergo the procedure. It then recommends steps needed to develop a more coordinated, effective response to protect girls and women in the U.S. affected by the threat of FGM. Each year, three million girls and women around the world are at risk of undergoing FGM. Female genital mutilation is a centuries-old practice that the World Health Organization defines as "the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons." FGM, which is ingrained in a diverse variety of cultural customs, is internationally recognized as a violation of women and girls' fundamental human rights. -The World Health Organization estimates that about 140 million women and girls worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM, and according to new estimates from United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF, at least 30 million girls under the age of 15 are at risk of being cut. -Women who have survived FGM frequently describe significant physical, sexual, and psychological complications, some of which persist throughout their lives. -The motivations most commonly articulated for FGM - such as enforcement of traditional notions of femininity, control of female sexuality, preservation of family honor, and preparation for marriage - tend to perpetuate discriminatory views about the status and role of women. Female genital mutilation is increasingly threatening girls and women in the United States. Although FGM is most prevalent in twenty-eight countries in Africa and the Middle East, it is no longer confined to distant shores. Every year, women in the United States discover that they, their daughters, and their loved ones face a very real and imminent danger of FGM in the U.S. -Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that at least 150,000 to 200,000 girls in the United States are at risk of being forced to undergo FGM. -According to an analysis of data from the 2000 U.S. census, the number of girls and women in the United States at risk for female genital mutilation increased by 35 percent between 1990 and 2000. -While this is a national problem, the greater New York City metropolitan area is home to more girls and women at risk of FGM than any other region in the United States. -Each year, girls are exposed to FGM through a growing phenomenon called "vacation cutting," in which families send their daughters abroad to undergo the procedure, typically during their school vacations. -Girls and young women are also subjected to FGM on U.S. soil in covert and illegal ceremonies performed by traditional practitioners, or by health care providers who support FGM or do not want to question families’ cultural practices. For many years, the United States has lagged behind international efforts to end female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is prohibited in the U.S. by an evolving framework of international, federal, and state laws, but many of these laws have suffered from crippling loopholes or lacked the implementation mechanisms and political resolve necessary to defend those at risk of the practice. -Despite the fact that FGM in all forms has been explicitly illegal in the United States since 1996, legislation criminalizing the practice has not been comprehensively implemented or enforced, and community members, social service providers and law enforcement officials often fail to identify, report or investigate incidents of FGM. -Until 2013, the federal ban on FGM did not penalize the transport of minors overseas for the purpose of FGM, a glaring loophole that placed a significant number of girls in the U.S. outside the reach of any legislative protection. Recent developments present an important opportunity to more effectively protect women and girls in the fight to end female genital mutilation. Today, there is reason to believe that the tireless work of human rights groups, community-based activists, and legislative advocates has carried us to the threshold of a breakthrough in the campaign against female genital mutilation. -In December 2012, the United Nations passed a landmark resolution, "Intensifying Global Efforts for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilations," calling on all countries to enact legislation banning FGM. -In January 2013, President Barack Obama signed the "Transport for Female Genital Mutilation" Act, criminalizing the transportation of girls abroad to undergo FGM, and finally bringing the United States in line with long-standing international efforts to end the practice. Now, advocates, survivors and community service providers must come together to translate policy into action. As the prevalence of domestic and vacation cutting rises in the U.S., a small number of advocates, survivors, counselors, lawyers, and doctors across the country are examining ways to not only support and serve those who have experienced FGM, but to also protect girls and women at risk. International experience suggests that successful prevention of female genital mutilation in the U.S. requires a proactive and coordinated approach that includes: -Community and survivor-led outreach and education about the consequences of FGM that engages religious and community leaders, parents, survivors, and at-risk women and girls; -Internationally informed guidelines and training to assist front-line professionals to identify and protect girls at risk, and to provide education and resources on FGM and the legislation banning its practice; -Robust laws that prohibit FGM locally and extraterritorially and implementation measures that provide clear guidance on culturally sensitive, prevention-centered enforcement; and -Reporting and data collection on the incidence of FGM and vacation cutting in the U.S. to inform efforts to serve the needs of survivors, target and develop outreach and education, and ultimately ensure the safety and health of at-risk women and girls. Details: New York: Sanctuary for Families, 2013. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: http://wcchr.com/sites/default/files/fgm_in_the_us-_sancuary_for_families_2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://wcchr.com/sites/default/files/fgm_in_the_us-_sancuary_for_families_2.pdf Shelf Number: 156515 Keywords: Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Human Rights Abuses Vacation Cutting Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: World Health Organization Title: Global Strategy to Stop Health-Care Providers from Performing Female Genital Mutilation Summary: This global strategy against medicalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including UN organizations and health-care professional bodies, national governments and NGOs. The strategy is intended for a broad audience of policy-makers in governments, parliamentarians, international agencies, professional associations, community leaders, religious leaders, NGOs and other institutions. Details: Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2010. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/who_rhr_10-9_en.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/fgm/rhr_10_9/en/ Shelf Number: 156516 Keywords: Female Circumcision Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Human Rights Abuses Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Sauti Yetu, Center for African Women and Families Title: A Closer Look at Forced and Early Marriage in African Immigrant Communities in New York City Summary: The purpose of this report is to inform emerging policies and practices on early and forced marriage by highlighting the lived experiences of African immigrant and refugee girls and young women in New York City. Sauti Yetu supports policies and practices that are informed by the diversity of experiences in which early and forced marriage occurs across a variety of immigrant communities that protect the health, well-being, and futures of immigrant young women. Globally, international and humanitarian organizations as well as some governments have recognized the dangers that forced and early marriage present to the lives of girls under the age of 18. Early marriage increases social isolation and launches girls into a cycle of poverty, gender inequities, and higher risk of dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Early marriage forces young girls to assume responsibilities and handle situations for which they are often physically and psychologically unprepared. Furthermore, schooling - a critical pathway to a prosperous life - is often cut short by early marriage. The United States is lagging far behind other industrialized countries in their efforts to prevent early and forced marriage as well as establish protocols to support victims. There is an emerging community of advocates beginning to understand how this practice evolves, adapts, and is re-purposed as girls and young women migrate with or without their families to join their marital families. Paradoxically, decisions about marriage are often made transnationally while adapting to the new imperatives of the immigrant family and to the socio-cultural and economic contexts of the United States. Thus, advocacy efforts have justifiably focused on those most egregious of cases involving the youngest girls from immigrant communities perceived as the most repressive for women and girls. As such, the disproportional focus on these stories masks the scope and breadth of forced marriage in the United States. Community-based organizations like Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families support immigrant and refugee girls from countries with higher rates of forced and early marriage such as Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Niger. In fact, eighteen of the twenty countries with the highest rates of child marriage are in Africa. In Mali, 65 percent of women aged 20-24 were married by the age of 18, and 25 percent were married by the age of 15. In Niger, over 70 percent are married by 18, and 36 percent are married before age 15. Sauti Yetu works with girls whose situations are less easily resolved either because they have reached the age of legal consent in their jurisdictions, the coercion is subtle, or the girls themselves are ambivalent about the options available to them - issues that are compounded by the girl's migration status in the U.S. In this report, we draw upon research conducted over the course of a year on how girls from West Africa make decisions about their futures. This report offers specific policy and practice recommendations to prevent early and forced marriage as well as outlines services needed to expand the avenues to success available to immigrant girls and young women. Details: New York: Suati Yetu, 2012. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://victimsofcrime.org/docs/nat-conf-2013/handout-2.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/resource-centre/forced-early-marriage-african-immigrant-new-york/ Shelf Number: 156517 Keywords: Child Marriage Early Marriage Forced Marriage Immigrant Communities Refugees Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Ali, Ayaan Hirsi Title: Why We Hesitate to Protect Girls from FGM in the United States Summary: One year ago, news broke that an American doctor was charged in Detroit federal criminal court for performing genital mutilation on young girls. Since then, the case has uncovered a web of secrecy and abuse with seven more charged and up to 100 girls potentially victimized. These girls are among the estimated 513,000 women and girls in the U.S. who have been or are at risk of being held down and their genitals cut, typically without anesthetic. This is done for misguided cultural reasons to 'cleanse' them of their sexual appetite. The Michigan FGM trial remains the only case of FGM that has been brought to court under the federal statute in place since 1996. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, a law criminalizing FGM has been in place for 33 years and multiple cases have made it to court, but not a single prosecution has been successful. Such a poor record of securing justice for girls who suffer this human rights abuse must not continue. For this reason, the AHA Foundation, in collaboration with UK think tank Quilliam, has prepared a report into the legislative loopholes and justifications that permit FGM to continue. Our goal is to end FGM and we recommend the following measures be implemented in the United States: -Criminalize FGM at the state level across the country, -Train frontline services to identify and report FGM, and, provide resources to those at risk, -Enforce mandatory reporting of FGM in health care, teaching, police and social services as with other types of child abuse, -Fund education and outreach for at-risk communities, -Incorporate education about the harms of FGM in mandatory school sex education for girls and boys, -Let go of the misguided political correctness around condemning cultural and religious practices which have provided cover for perpetrators to inflict harms on women and girls. Details: New York: Aha Foundation, 2019. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 20, 2019 at: https://www.theahafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Why-we-hesitate-to-protect-girls-from-FGM-in-the-United-States.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.theahafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Why-we-hesitate-to-protect-girls-from-FGM-in-the-United-States.pdf Shelf Number: 156542 Keywords: Child Abuse Cultural Practices Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Human Rights Abuses Religious Practices Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Gohir, Shaista Title: Female Genital Mutilation: Affected Communities in Birmingham Summary: The aim of this research was to increase the understanding of the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Birmingham by finding out the views of women, children and men from FGM affected communities and use the insights to be able to better challenge tolerance of this practice and build awareness. Another objective was to understand the impact on survivors and what support was needed for them or those at risk and whether there were issues being overlooked by current service provision. Details: Raynesway, Derby, UK: Muslim Women's Network UK, 2016. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2019 at: http://www.mwnuk.co.uk//go_files/resources/736953-MWNUK%20FGM%20report_WEB.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.mwnuk.co.uk//go_files/resources/736953-MWNUK%20FGM%20report_WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 156710 Keywords: Female Cutting Female Genital Mutilation Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Sexuality Programs Working Group Title: Tackling the Taboo: Sexuality and gender-transformative programmes to end child, early and forced marriage and unions Summary: In response to the limited discussion of sexuality in the global discourse on child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU), 41 local, national and global program implementers, government representatives, philanthropic foundations, researchers and policy advocates in the field of adolescent development and sexuality gathered in New York in March 2016 to discuss the control of adolescent girls' sexuality in the context of CEFMU. The two-day meeting was hosted by the American Jewish World Service, CARE USA, the International Women's Health Coalition and GreeneWorks. One of the objectives of this meeting was to develop recommendations for addressing sexuality within the context of CEFMU, including to fill programmatic, research and advocacy gaps. Coming out of this meeting, the CEFMU and Sexuality Programs Working Group was formed. The working group commissioned a review to identify gender-transformative programmes that promote bodily integrity and girls' rights and development and result in normative change that helps end CEFMU. The findings are captured in this report, which also showcases in detail, through case studies, some of the ground-breaking, gender-transformative work on sexuality carried out by three organisations: Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) in Kenya, International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights (INCRESE) in Nigeria and The YP Foundation in India (see case studies, pages 29-31). We would like to thank all the organisations that shared their time, expertise and information with us. Without their generosity and important work, this report would not have been possible. This project was supported by the Kendeda Fund, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands through the Prevention programme, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and other generous donors. Details: Washington, DC: Author, 2019. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2019 at: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tackling-the-Taboo_-Full_English.pdf Year: 2019 Country: International URL: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tackling-the-Taboo_-Full_English.pdf Shelf Number: 156729 Keywords: Child Marriage Evidence-Based Approaches Forced Marriage Gender Inequality Gender Norms Gender-Transformative Approaches Violence Against Women, Girls |