Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
Gender Studies
Violence Against Women

Women face violence, as a major issue all over the globe, although many
organizations have been formed to reduce or exterminate violence directed
towards women, there still are numerous cases and dangers to women residing in
all the societies today. Physical, sexual and psychological violence towards
women is widespread worldwide. It crosses every social and economic class,
every religion, race and ethnicity. From domestic abuse to rape as a weapon of
war, violence against women is an uncivilized violation of their human rights. Not
only does it threaten their social and economic well being, and health, violence
also prevents global efforts to reduce poverty. There are multiple forms of violence
against women in society today. They range from domestic violence to sexual
violence, and can range in from violence at work to that of the state. Women face
violence, as a major issue all over the globe, although many organizations have
been formed to reduce or exterminate violence directed towards women, there still
are numerous cases and dangers to women residing in all the societies today when
it comes to the topic of violence.
Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic
violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
of abuse. Domestic violence is most often directed toward women but can happen in
heterosexual or same-sex relationships.
Many people experience domestic violence without even realizing. You might be
experiencing domestic violence if your partner:

Calls you names, insults you or puts you down

Prevents or discourages you from going to work or school

Prevents or discourages you from seeing family members or friends

Tries to control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or
what you wear

Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful

Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs

Threatens you with violence or a weapon

Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your
pets

Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will

Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
Sometimes domestic violence begins or increases during pregnancy, putting your
health and the baby's health at risk and may last even after the baby is born. Even if not
being abused, simply witnessing domestic violence can also be harmful. Children who
grow up in abusive homes are more likely to be abused and have behavioral problems
than are other children. As adults, they are more likely to become abusers or think abuse
is a normal part of relationships. Asking and looking for is best way to protect your child
and yourself is necessary.
There are many ways to stop the basic pattern of domestic abuse. If you are in an
abusive situation, usually your abuser threatens violence, strikes, apologizes, promises to
change and offers gifts, then repeats these actions once again. The longer you stay in an
abusive relationship, the greater the physical and emotional stress there will be and you
might become depressed and anxious. You might also begin to doubt your ability to take
care of yourself or wonder if the abuse is your fault and feel helpless or paralyzed. Older
woman feel dependent upon an abusive partner. The only way to break the cycle of
domestic violence is to take action quickly Start by telling someone about the abuse, even
though at first you might find it hard to talk about the abuse, still you will also likely feel
relief and receive much needed support if you share your concerns about such abuse.
Sexual Violence and Abuse:
Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act
directed against a persons sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their
relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced
or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
object. Violence against women can be defined as "any act of gender-based violence that
results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women,
including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life."
Sexual violence against women is major public health problem in society as well
as being a serious violation of women's human rights. Approximately 35% of women
worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual
violence in their lifetime. When related to a partner this violence can be both physical and
sexual. Violence such as this increases the rate of HIV in women and can result in
physical, mental, sexual, reproductive health and other health problems. Low education,
exposure to child maltreatment or witnessing violence in the family, harmful use of
alcohol, attitudes accepting of violence and gender inequality are factors that may lead
someone to sexual abuse, and low education, witnessing violence between parents,
exposure to abuse during childhood and attitudes accepting violence and gender
inequality may lead one to become a victim of such abuse.
Sexual violence against women can lead to purposely caused injuries by and even
fatal results like homicide or suicide. It can also lead to unintended pregnancies, induced
abortions, gynecological problems, and sexually transmitted infections. Such violence
can lead to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulties in sleeping, eating
disorders, drinking problems, and emotional distress and suicide attempts.
School-based programs to prevent violence within dating relationships have bee
effective in preventing sexual violence aimed towards women. Several other primary

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
prevention strategies: those that combine microfinance with gender equality training; that
promote communication and relationship skills within couples and communities; that
reduce access to, and harmful use of alcohol; and that change cultural gender norms, can
also be used to help prevent such abuse. The best way is to promote policies for gender
equality and report any discrimination that may cause sexual abuse aimed towards
women.
Rape:
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is
initiated by one or more people against another person without that person's consent. The
act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person
who is incapable of valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, or
below the legal age of consent. Sexual violence, and rape in particular, is considered the
most underreported violent crime. The rate of reporting, prosecution and convictions for
rape varies considerably in different jurisdictions. Rape by strangers is usually less
common than rape by persons the victim knows. Victims of rape can be
severely traumatized and may suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder in addition to
psychological harm resulting from the act. Rape may cause physical injury, or have
additional effects on the victim, such as acquiring of a sexually transmitted infection or
becoming pregnant.
Human Trafficking and Prostitution:
Human trafficking refers to the attainment of a person or multiple people by
improper means such as force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them.

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
Trafficking means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, or harboring of people, by
means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, deception,
fraud, or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation includes the
exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced
labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of
organs.
Because of the illegal nature of trafficking, reliable data on its extent is very
limited. Those who are trafficked into the sex industry and as domestic servants are
usually women and children. Women who have been trafficked are subjected to serious
forms of abuse, such as physical or sexual violence, which affect their physical and
mental health. Forced prostitution is prostitution which takes place as a result of coercion
by a third party and this party force the victim to be subjected to unwanted sexual acts
exercise control over the victim.
Education is a key component in the fight against human trafficking because vast
majority of people know little or nothing about their countrys human trafficking crisis.
Its best to educate law enforcement personnel and private citizens about the facts on the
ground and the best methods to help prevent modern slavery and human trafficking,
especially of women. The best methods to do such are:

Developing curriculum materials for use in schools in countries prone to human

trafficking to help promote awareness and eliminate demand;

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
Designing workshops for law enforcement officers on how to identify and assist
victims;

Organizing creative public events/installments that attract media attention and

increase national awareness on the subject of human trafficking.

Forced Marriage:
A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both of the parties is married
against their will. Forced marriages are common in South Asia, the Middle East and
Africa. The customs of bride price and dowry, which exist in many parts of the world,
contribute to this practice. A forced marriage is also often the result of a dispute between
families, where the dispute is 'resolved' by giving a female from one family to the other.
A girl or a woman is abducted by the would be groom, who is often helped by his friends.
The victim is often raped by the would be groom, after which he may try to negotiate a
bride price with the village elders to legitimize the marriage.
Mistreatment of Widows:
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died. In some parts of the world, widows
are subjected to serious forms of abuse, often fueled by traditional practices such
as widow inheritance. The sacrifice of widows has been prevalent historically in various
cultures (especially in India).
Dowry Violence:

Fatima Ahmed, Hanfa Shakeel, Mariyah Sheikh, Zarwa Nawaz

BSELC Semester 2
Ms. Aiza Gender Studies
29 April 2014
The custom of dowry, which is common in South Asia, especially in India, is the
trigger of many forms of violence against women. Bride burning is a form of violence
against women in which her husband or husbands family due to his dissatisfaction kills
the bride at home over the issue of the dowry provided by her family. Dowry death refers
to the phenomenon of women and girls being killed or committing suicide due to disputes
regarding dowry. Dowry violence is common in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.