Gender-Based Violence
Ambassador Verveer Testifies on Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones
On May 13, 2009, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer testified at a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs and Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues. The hearing focused on confronting rape and other forms of violence against women in conflict zones, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
The Ambassador noted that “…violence against women as a tool of armed groups is in no way limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, or just to Africa. We’ve seen this in Bosnia, Burma, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. The underlying problems – gender inequality and the dehumanization of women – are often the same, and our assessment of needs and recommendations is similar across regions.”
Watch a video of her remarks or read her full written testimony and the testimonies of other experts. |
Gender-based violence results in physical, sexual and psychological harm to both men and women and includes any form of violence or abuse that targets men or women
on the basis of their sex, although women and girls are usually the primary victims.
Gender-Based Violence and Gender Inequalities
Unequal power relations between men and women significantly contribute to gender-based violence. In fact, gender-based violence is often intended to maintain gender
inequalities and/or reinforce traditional gender roles for both men and women.
Gender-based violence experienced by women and girls includes, but is not limited to: battering, marital rape, sexual violence, dowry-related violence,
female infanticide, honor crimes, early marriage, forced marriage, female genital cutting, sexual harassment in the workplace and educational institutions,
commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking of girls and women, and violence perpetrated against domestic workers.
Gender-Based Violence is a Human Rights and Public Health Issue
Gender-based violence is a serious human rights and public health issue throughout the world. The perpetrator of the violence could be a domestic partner or an outsider. If a family member is the abuser, it makes it more difficult to identify the problem as it is happening behind closed doors. Furthermore, victims are less likely to report violence imposed by family or community members than by outsiders.
USAID's Work to End Violence Against Women
Eliminating violence against women has long been a goal of the United States.
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Human Rights for Women,
Human Rights for All
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The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence ran from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25th, through International Human Rights Day, December 10th. 2008's theme was Human Rights for Women, Human Rights for All. Read more > |
The U.S. Government recognizes that the equal participation of women in the political, economic and social spheres of society is a key ingredient for democratic development. At the same time, unless women fully enjoy their human rights, to which freedom from violence is inextricably bound, then progress toward development will continue to fall short.
USAID is committed to preventing gender-based violence by supporting legislation against it and by leading several activities.
Related Resources:
USAID Activities on Gender-Based Violence
Selected Publications and Resources on Gender-Based Violence
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