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YWCA Week Without Violence: October 14 - 20, 2007

Week Without Violence: when is it abuse or violence?

published: 18 Oct 2007 — 16:16

last modified: 31 Oct 2007 — 8:37

World YWCA

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YWCAs around the world will invite their communities to consider the impact violence and abuse has on the lives of women and contemplate the possibilities for peace, security and dignity as they commemorate the YWCA Week Without Violence from October 14 - 20, 2007. Violence against women is a universal problem and one of the most widespread violations of human rights affecting nearly one in four women worldwide. Women can experience physical or mental abuse throughout their lifecycle, in infancy, childhood and/or adolescence, or during adulthood or older age.

The statistics can be frightening, but the average woman has seen much more than violent statistics in her life. This does not make her a helpless victim. On the contrary, it makes women among the most qualified to make a difference. Knowing the situation so intimately gives women the power to change it!

How can we recognise violence in our lives or in the lives of the women around us? The ‘Empowering Young Women to Lead Change’ Manual lists examples of different types of abuse a woman may face:

Physical : slapping, pushing, hitting, kicking, biting, etc.
Sexual : being forced into sexual contact (including within marriage)
Emotional : name-calling, putting down, insults, etc.
Threats : “If you...I'll kill you!”
Intimidation : gestures, looks, smashing things
Isolation : being kept from seeing or talking to others, not allowed to go out.
Economic : not allowed to have a job, no control over financial resources, etc.

Life cycle of violence against women*

Phase	Type of violence
Pre-birth	sex-selection abortion effects of battering during pregnancy on birth outcomes
Infancy	female infanticide physical, sexual and psychological abuse
Childhood	child marriage female genital mutilation physical, sexual and psychological abuse incest child prostitution and pornography
Adolescence/ adulthood	dating and courtship violence (e.g. acid-throwing and date rape) economically coerced sex (e.g.school girls have sex with ‘sugar daddies’ in return for school fees) incest sexual abuse in the workplace rape sexual harassment forced prostitution and pornography trafficking in women and girls partner violence marital rape dowry abuse and murders partner homicide psychological abuse abuse of women with disabilities forced pregnancy
Elderly	forced “suicide” or homicide of widows for economic reasons sexual, physical and psychological abuse

From Angola to Guyana, Hong Kong to Canada – YWCAs around the world will host a variety of events to help women build skills to prevent violence in their lives and in their communities.

The ‘Empowering Young Women to Lead Change’ manual is a training tool for young women to catalyst positive change in their lives and communities. Designed by young women for young women, the manual fosters self-determined approaches to developing leadership skills and is an excellent tool for activities for the YWCA Week Without Violence.

Life cycle of violence against women*

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