NO MORE 1 IN 3
At least one in three women globally will experience some form of gender-based violence at some point in their lifetime. These numbers are unacceptable.
These statistics do not even include violence of women against men. Many men are too ashamed to admit to that this is happening to them. But it does happen.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is any act of violence which is directed at an individual or group on the basis of their gender. It is a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination, and now, due to a change in law, also includes coercive and controlling behaviour. Gender-based violence occurs in every culture and context around the world and is carried out by a wide range of people including partners, family members, friends, those in position of authority, armed groups, strangers as well as the state.
Last year 2.4 million adults aged 16 – 59 had experienced domestic abuse. How many more will suffer such abuse this year? In 2018-19, 80 women were killed by their partner – how many more deaths due to domestic abuse will there be this year?
The police receive a call every minute about domestic abuse, with the woman being the victim in 89% of cases. Yet the majority of cases are not prosecuted. Indeed, of those cases that do go to court, only 8% result in conviction. Furthermore, only 77 countries have legislation that criminalises marital rape.
The consequences of violence against women are many, including physical damage leading to chronic pain, induced abortions, disabilities and mental health issues, including PTSD and depression.
It is estimated 650 million women and girls are alive today who were married before their 18th birthday, resulting in early pregnancy, loss of schooling and social isolation leading to limited opportunities and increased risk of experiencing domestic violence.
Women aged 15 -44 are more at risk from domestic violence than cancer, car accidents, war and malaria.
What can we do?
The Mothers’ Union along with 6,000 organisations from approximately 187 counties are part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign which takes place each year from 25th November until 10th December.
There is a Global Day on 5th December when we will all join together to stand against Gender-Based Violence.
Below are some web sites where you can find more information and help as well as on the Mothers Union website https://www.mothersunion.org/ resources then click on the information about the global day.
Restored – Ending Domestic Abuse, A Pack for Churches – https://www.restoredrelationships.org/resources/info/51/
Restored – Handbook for Female Domestic Survivors of Abuse – https://www.restoredrelationships.org/survivorshandbook/
There are also a number of helpful resources and information throughout their website – https://www.restoredrelationships.org/
Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Alliance – Domestic Abuse and Covid 19 How Churches can Respond – https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/415112/2007-da-covid-19-churches_en.pdf
World Council of Churches – Thursdays in Black – https://www.oikoumene.org/en/get-involved/thursdays-in-black
