Violence Against Women

At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime (UNIFEM 2008). Violence against women (VAW) is a global problem and women and girls are susceptible to abuse and violence at every stage of their life. In October 2008, the World YWCA Board endorsed a proposal to make VAW a second hallmark programme for the YWCA movement.

The elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls has always been a priority for the World YWCA, but the World YWCA now feels an obligation to strengthen efforts on advocacy and services that would ensure women and girls can live lives free of violence. In nearly 70 countries, YWCAs provide services for women facing violence and abuse. For many women, the YWCA represents a safe space. From shelters and safe houses run by YWCAs in the USA, Canada, Zambia and Sri Lanka to campaigns to prevent trafficking championed by YWCAs in Finland, Belarus, Albania and Samoa. National and local YWCAs around the world are committed to seeing an end to violence against women. Through advocacy and services, YWCAs are working to ensure women and girls in their communities can live lives free of violence.

The World YWCA has continously called on governments, international organisations and civil society to:

Prevent violence, ensure safety and security for women and girls

In addition to carrying out research on the cause of violence, governments must take steps to prevent violence before it starts. A strategic way to prevent violence is to introduce laws that protect women from violence, and enforce those laws—there must be no impunity for acts of violence against women. One of the first obligations of CEDAW requires UN member states to entrench women’s human rights in their constitutional and legal systems. Educating the public on such laws is crucial in preventing violence against women. Governments must consider initiatives, such as the YWCA Canada ‘Rose Button’ campaign, that call for actions to prevent violence before it starts.

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security calls on UN member states to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly in situations of armed conflict.

Invest in women and girls

Adequate and accessible funding must be provided for services that provide holistic care for survivors of violence. Women’s right to information must be upheld. Lack of information prevents many women from accessing services that would support them to regain dignity in their lives.

Organisations running programmes such as shelters for women in violent relationship, help-lines and counseling facilities must be adequately financed to ensure their services remain reliable and accessible.

Ending stigma and discrimination

Programmes such as the YWCA Week Without Violence commemorated annually in November around the world help educate communities on the types of violence women in their country face. A society that understands the impact and effects of violence against women is better versed to address the issues at government and policy level. Education on violence against women must be integrated in programmes that reach different sectors of society including men and boys.

Understand intersectionality of HIV and VAW

Socio-economic factors and legal challenges that put many HIV-positive women at risk of violence must be addressed. The World YWCA is particular concerned about recent laws some countries are adopting that criminalize HIV. These laws have a particular impact on women and leave them vulnerable to violence. Governments, international organisations and civil society must ensure that laws and policies that uphold women’s human rights are implemented in order to protect women from violence.