INTER-PARLIAMENTRY UNION WORKSHOP IN SIERRA LEONE

Transcript:INTER-PARLIAMENTRY UNION WORKSHOP IN SIERRA LEONE:
INTER-PARLIAMENTRY UNION WORKSHOP IN SIERRA LEONE MARCH 26 AND 28 2014 HELD IN THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE SHORT PRESENTATION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES of VAWG By Thomas R.A.Winnebah, Njala University OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION Background Key concept in GAD Definition of VAWG When and Forms/types of VAWG Places of manifestation Who is affected by VAWG Why VAWG is an issue Some of the Root Causes of VAWG Conclusions Background – Key GAD Concepts Sex is the biological and physiological characteristics of males and females (including the recently growing neuter gender). Gender is defined as the socially constructed roles and relations of males and females relative to the level of development. Imbalances in the construct constitutes the gender issue that GAD seeks to correct by enhancing equality in roles, equity in resources and empowerment in decision making for the disadvantaged gender. Background – Definition of VAWG United Nations declaration on Violence Against Women "Gender-based violence is violence involving men and women, in which the female is usually the victim; and which is derived from unequal power relationships between men and women. Violence is directed specifically against a woman because she is a woman, or affects women disproportionately. It includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual and psychological harm (including intimidation, suffering, coercion, and/or deprivation of liberty within the family, or within the general community). It includes that violence which is perpetrated or condoned by the state". - (UNFPA Gender Theme Group, 1998)’. Background – Forms of VAWG and When Background – Who is affected Anybody can be sexually assaulted regardless of age or circumstance. Women are the main victims (http://homepages.iol.ie/~duacon/violence.htm accessed on 24/3/14). However, violence against males is not on the same scale, severity, type or nature, persistence and deliberate compared to females (http://www.gadnetwork.org.uk/the-violence-against-women/; (http://homepages.iol.ie/~duacon/violence.htm accessed on 24/3/14). Women living in precarious condition or discriminated against on the basis of race, language, ethnic group, culture, age, opinion, religion or membership in a minority group Background – Where: Western Hemisphere of the globe Background – Where affected: Eastern Hemisphere of the Globe Background – Why VAWG is an issue? The forms of violence are grave social problem and threatens the safety, equality and bodily integrity of every woman in the past. It is now considered a criminal acts and has attracted more international attention (http://worldsavvymonitor.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/violence-against-women-in-times-of-war-a-look-at-root-causes/ accessed on 24/3/14; http://homepages.iol.ie/~duacon/violence.htm accessed