Beyond Shelter - World YWCA discuss strategies to prevent violence against women at CSW
“How many people know a relative or close friend who has experienced violence?” asked World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda to over 70 participants attending an interactive side event at the 53rd CSW session hosted by the World YWCA.
When almost all hands in the room shot up, she inquired, “How many have been frustrated by the lack of adequate services for women facing violence?” When almost all hands rose again, Gumbonzvanda asked, “How many have done something to intervene? This can be from a prayer to becoming an activist?” Almost everyone put up their hand.
The interactive discussion ‘Beyond Shelter’ held on March 2 saw participants reflect and share in detail a number of issues related to violence against women. These included:
- Prevention (including working with men and boys)
- Shelter system and recovery post shelter services
- Where there is no shelter
- HIV and VAW
- Advocacy and policy
When groups reported back, it became clear financing and resourcing women is important in addressing violence against women. Participants stated that when women are caught in a cycle of violence, they are often financially dependant on their partner. In turn, shelters are unable to provide adequate services as they are poorly resourced.
Strategies were offered by participants to prevent violence against women that included:
- improved policy and advocacy measures to ensure women are safe
- advocating for the full implementation of national policies and laws that also train stakeholders such as police and courts in recognising violence and culturally appropriate responses that enhance the rule of law and women’s dignity
- affirming the role of community and religious leaders as crucial in ensuring women are supported and able to leave violent situations and safely return to communities
World YWCA President Susan Brennan closed the discussion by saying the work of the group would be presented to the Commission as feedback to the final documents. In addition, stories, ideas and suggestions presented would feed into the UN Secretary General’s campaign to end violence against women.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro attended the opening session of CSW and stated too many women shoulder the heaviest burden in caring for people living with HIV and AIDS.
This inequality “is unjust and a serious form of discrimination, even a form of violence” against women, she said.
Women are restricted in employment, education and public life, while men are held back from taking part in their families’ lives, she said. “Families, communities and society as a whole suffer the consequences.”
The HIV and AIDS pandemic has highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach, involving all members of society, to address this imbalance, Ms. Migiro emphasised.
She noted several steps that must be taken, including recognising unpaid work and caregiving at the home and community level, as well as easing the burden of domestic and care responsibilities.“Ensuring that caregivers have the means to do their work effectively has a cost that society must be ready to meet,” she stated. “We must provide adequate resources to empower women and girls who are dedicating their time to looking after people living with HIV.”
The World YWCA delegation will continue to raise the voice of women and young women at CSW as they explore the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV and AIDS.
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