Today Is International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women

One in three women around the world experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their life. This is a horrific pandemic that can be stopped, but we need to continue to find solutions and keep at it. The United Nations created UN Women in 2010, the Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and their work around the world is extensive.   They have made today, November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  Many groups and individuals are acknowledging the importance of this day to galvanize and organize the world to bring about change.  One such organization is Vital Voices, whose mission it is to search for and work with leaders around the globe in an effort to improve the lives of women and girls.   Vital Voices is holding its 2nd annual Vital Voices Solidarity Awards on December 7th, and I got in touch with  Vice President Cindy Dyer, and asked her about her work, her understanding of the complexities of the problem, and the award. Ms. Dyer has worked for many years seeking to change conditions for woman globally; previous joining Vital Voices in 2009, she served as Director of the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Ms. Dyer answered my questions via email:

LD: What do you see is the most pressing issue in combating global violence against women?

CD: In my opinion, the most pressing issue in combating VAW is not to pass more laws, but rather to implement the laws that are already in place. This is particularly important with respect to low levels of violence against women, which is common in domestic violence cases. All too often, communities (criminal and civil justice systems, service providers, etc.) fail to intervene and provide assistance to victims when the violence first occurs and is not yet severe. However, this is the best time to intervene in order to prevent the violence from escalating. The media tends to focus only the most extreme examples of VAW such as rape as a weapon of war, sex trafficking of young girls, acid attacks, etc. We will never solve the problem of VAW by addressing only the most outrageous examples; rather, we will solve the problem of VAW when we have the courage and fortitude to address all forms of VAW, especially domestic violence, which is by far the most prevalent form. (WHO).

LD: It is the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Have we made progress on women's rights and combating violence against women in the world?

CD: We have made progress in countries where we not only have enacted strong legislation, but also worked together in a collaborative fashion to implement that legislation. For example, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (an office within the U.S. Department of Justice) released a report showing that the United States Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has effectively reduced intimate partner violence. The report titled “Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2010” found that from 1994 (when VAWA was passed) to 2010, rates of intimate partner violence decreased by more than 60 percent.

LD: What is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign?

CD: The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign occurs from November 25, the International[/entity] Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. This campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. The year 2015 marks the 20-year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive road map to gender equality. This year a new Sustainable Development agenda, which replaced the millennium Development goals, for the first time includes specific targets and indicators on ending violence against women.

LD: I believe rape culture is systemic--in different degrees--in every country in the world. How can we change that? Sometimes it seems so insurmountable.

CD: This is connected to the first question regarding the most pressing issue in combating VAW. One way that we can reduce the prevalence of rape is to stop domestic violence. Men who witness violence against their mothers are consistently and significantly more likely to perpetrate sexual violence. For example, in Mexico, witnessing their father’s violence against their mother is the #1 risk factor for men who commit sexual assault. (ICRW and Promundo IMAGES study)

LD: Tell me about Vital Voices' desire to recognize men in your annual Vital Voices Solidarity Awards? I am witnessing more and more women's rights groups wanting to include men in the fight. Why is this important?

CD: The vast majority of violence against women is committed by men. Women did not create this problem and we alone cannot solve it. We need good, courageous men to lead this fight with us. The majority of men are not violent, but it is not enough to simply be nonviolent. We need men to demand nonviolence in other men and to speak up when they hear about or suspect someone they know is using violence. Men who use violence against women are more concerned about the opinions of their male friends than the criticism of female advocates. In the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

LD: What can individuals do to help?

CD: The success of this solidarity movement to achieve gender equality requires everyone’s participation, contribution and action. Violence against women will not change unless the conversation changes. That’s why the Voices of Solidarity event is so important. Engaging men, and encouraging them to demand nonviolence and to end the culture of silence will go far in making an impact. We want everyone to add their voice to the conversation using the event hashtag, #mencombatVAW.

In addition, Vital Voices, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and the Avon Foundation, created the Gender-Based Violence Emergency Response and Protection Initiative (GBV Initiative) that addresses gender violence in three distinct ways:

1. Direct financial assistance to survivors of extreme forms of GBV, or to an NGO that is assisting them, so that they can access emergency services such as medical care, legal assistance, shelter and psychosocial support.

2. Training and technical support through the Justice Institutes on Gender-Based Violence.

3. Creating a network of GBV service providers and improving the coordinated response to GBV.

People can lend support to the GBV Initiative by making a financial contribution and by encouraging others to learn about its assistance and services. Partners in the private sector can also get involved. The more we join forces with allies and friends, the faster we will see progress in ending violence against women and girls.