What is gender-based violence?

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) has defined gender-based violence as any 'act of violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.' Article 2 of the Declaration lists some of the many different forms of gender based-violence which include:

(a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;

(b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;

(c) Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.

Through its work with men and women in communities around the world, the YMCA recognises that these acts of violence not only impact the physical and mental health of women and girls, but can also be a permanent constraint on their mobility, and on their access to resources, healthcare, education and employment.

YMCA Action

The issue of violence against women has been on the YMCA's agenda for many years. The present Gender Justice and Women's Leadership Committee of the World Alliance Executive Committee has also committed to bring movements together to work on this issue, share strategies and network within the YMCA and with other organisations.

1) YMCA Programmes

YMCAs in 124 countries are supporting programmes and activities that promote the rights of women, and an end to all forms of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

Key activities include:

a) Awareness raising on gender issues, including gender-based violence, gender stereotypes and myths, (e.g. Student YMCA Japan)

b) Sexual and reproductive health education (e.g. YMCA Bolivia, YMCA Zimbabwe)

c) Vocational training for women (e.g. East Jerusalem YMCA)

d) Credit assistance for women (e.g. YMCA Bangladesh, YMCA Peru)

e) Provision of shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence (e.g. YMCA USA, YMCA England)

f) Campaigning against trafficking in women (e.g. YMCA Phillipines)

2) "Stop Violence Against Women" (2003)

The YMCA has studied a broad range of issues, including sex-tourism, child prostitution, the girl child, media, domestic violence, discrimination in education and work, female infanticide, feminisation of poverty, and culture and religion. In 2003 the World Alliance of YMCAs has published the book "STOP Violence Against Women", based on the global YMCA workshop held in July 2002 in Oaxtepec, Mexico.

In this book you will find presentations from women around the world on particularly pressing issues that must constitute the gender agenda. Each of these presentations was thoroughly discussed and debated. None of these reports spoke of violence in a singular sense. They were comprehensive and the analysis and conclusions amply indicated that a transformative action in favour of gender justice can only be seen within the framework of social transformation itself.

The findings and recommendations of this workshop are now an integral part of the YMCA mandate. In addition, we have included the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which brings together obligations aimed at eliminating discrimination against women in all spheres. This instrument is helpful to promote women's human rights and gender equity, in line with our Movement's Challenge 21 Agenda.

In presenting this book , the World Alliance invites YMCA members all over the world to join hands with each other and with other progressive movements for the speedy and effective transformation of gender relations that can contribute to stop violence against women.

You can download the PDF version of  Violence Against Women (see below)

3) Challenge 21 Festival - 15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico 2002

The participants of the World Alliance of YMCAs inter-regional workshop on "Violence against Women", held in Oaxtepec, Mexico on the 13 and 14 July, 2002 call on the delegates of the XVth World Council to adopt their statement and recommendations on the question of Violence Against Women around the world. The concepts and ideas in the accompanying report provide the perspective, framework and policy base on the subject.

INTRODUCTION

We, the participants of the World Alliance of YMCAs inter-regional workshop on Violence Against Women, held on 13-14 July, 2002 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, shared experiences, information and situations of women experiencing violence in our regions.

The stories of anguish, vulnerability and hopeleffssness of women echoed around the room. They were similar in all regions: situations that have crippled and stopped women from living their life in abundance and violent situations that have result of the perpetuation of patriarchal systems.

We acknowledged that violence against women is not only a women's issue, but also a gender issue concerning both, men and women. Violence against women is the most widespread, yet the least recognized human rights abuse in the world. Violence against women is an affront against YMCA values system and against Challenge 21.

We are shocked about the prevalence of domestic violence in all our regions and that so often the most dangerous place for a woman is her own home.

We are shocked about the domestic violence and the increasing trafficking of women in Asia and Pacific. We are shocked about the frequent psychological and physical abuse of women; and the lack of political will to put into action existing legislation in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are shocked about child sexual abuse and the exposure of women to the spread of AIDS- HIV putting many girls and women at risk, in Africa.

We are shocked about the alarming rate of domestic violence in North America.

We are shocked about the forced prostitution the forced prostitution In Europe.

We are shocked that in Palestine many human rights violations, occurring because of the current political situation, doubly affect women. Many women have been killed or injured at checkpoints and babies dyed through miscarriages as mothers have been unable to access medical attention due to queues at checkpoints.

COMMON THREADS:

The different regional contributions made us aware of common threads crossing social, economic, geographic and cultural boundaries.

The most common threads are the following:

1. Forms of Violence against women:

- Domestic violence

This has become very prevalent in all societies and manifests itself

as psychological, sexual and physical abuse.

- Trafficking of women

Under false promises of work in richer countries, women and young girls are forced into prostitution or domestic slavery.

- Sexual harassment

Women are subjected to unwanted sexual advences, requests for sexual favor at work, in school and in the community

- Structural violence

Women are disadvantaged solely on accunt of them being women. There are insufficient services or resources for women experiencing violence. The access to education is unequal for men and women. Women experience discrimination in labor force. Women are more vulnerable to poverty. They depend economically on men.

- Conflict Situation

Women living in situation of conflict and/or war are suffering due to violence in their environment and in their homes.

2. Information, education and research about gender issues

- lack of studies showing the economic and social impact of violence against women

- lack of statistics regarding violence against women

- underreporting of cases due to stigmatisation of the victims

- Violence against women considered a private matter, even if human rights are at stake

- Women lack information on their rights

3. Policies and legislation

- Insufficient policies to address violence against women

- Women are not everywhere protected equally under the law and where they are, the enforcing of these laws is weak

- Police and justice systems are male dominted and lack training on violence agains women issues

4. Myths

Traditional misconceptions, mzths (« single woman are hysterical and bitter », « a man who loves his wife beats her ») and stereotypes perpetuate violence against women.

RECOGNISING THE WORK OF THE YMCA

We recognized that the YMCAs have tackled the gender issue in various platforms. The concepts and perspectives have evolved over time, from addressing women's issues to mainstreaming gender perspective. Information sharing, leadership training, credit assistance, sensitization on gender issues and developing and mainstreaming gender policies are among the programmes in Africa. In the Asia and Pacific region, numerous programmes have been initiated and are still being implemented. Some of these are leadership training, sex education, health education, childcare center, awareness raising, campaigning against trafficking in women, vocational training, handicraft marketing, legal aid and education, counselling, formation of women's groups and advocacy for gender issues. The Latin American YMCAs implement maternity/health programme, gender training among the youth, employment programmes, campaigning against violence against women and other support services. The YMCAs in the Middle East conduct women empowerment programmes using participatory approaches and capacity building for women particularly young people. North American YMCAs provide shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and conduct prevention programmes focused on empowering girls. While there are efforts towards women empowerment and gender equity, more still needs to be done to create a stronger impact in the lives of people within and outside the YMCAs.

BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

We reflected on Jesus' teaching as stated in the Book of Galatians 3 :28,

« There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus ».

The Book of Genesis 2 :18,22 also proclaims,

« It is not good that the man should be alone »

« And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. »

These verses stress equality, mutuality and inter-dependance between men and women.

Challenge 21, which is the contemporary expression of our Mission affirms that

« The YMCA is a world-wide Christian movement for women and men that seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a humnan community of justifce with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. »

This mission is based on our faith in God who is the Creator of communities characterized by harmony, mutual growth and interdependence. God created both men and women in His image. God created both man and woman as equal and equivalent, created of mutuality, wholeness and community. With these as bases of our faith, we walk the path of spirituality and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ that emphasise peace, love, jutsice, freedom from oppression, hope, and upholding the truth.

We see the need to work for gender equity, fostering human dignity. We are called upon to uphold peace and eliminate all forms of violence against women and humanity so that women and men can fully participate as partners in building a new heaven and a new earth.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As a Christian organization seeking justice, peace and love, we are called upon to eliminate violence against women

Therefore, we recommend that the YMCAs:

- Establish preventive education programmes that empower women

- Explore ways to be involved in direct intervention addressing violence against women including setting-up shelters, counselling centers or support groups that are involved in these programmes as neede.

- Conduct policy advocacy programmes to effect changes in existing laws to promote the elimination of gender-based violence.

- Promote biblical and theological reflections with a gender perspective by developing resource materials.

- Produce materials and workbooks addressing gender issues.

- While strengthening programmes providing services to women, put emphasis on addressing women's strategic needs.

- Develop and implement programmes that would facilitate changes in cultural attitudes of people especially young men and women that reinforce or favor violence against women.

- Initiate policy changes and set up mechanisms that would enhance the role of YMCAs as a model of gender equity.

- Develop and integrate a gender perspective including violence against women in YMCA programmes and trainings at all levels.

- Encourage YMCA members to commit themselves to stop violence against women, denounce physical and sexual violence against women, promote women's participation in decision-making and, work for gender justice in and outside the YMCA.

- Establish partnerships and network mechanisms with organizations working/active on gender issues e.g World Council of Churches, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), YWCA, UN, UNIFEM, UNICEF, etc.

As an expression of our solidarity and concern about the women in Palestine, we also recommend the following:

- Initiate and strengthen programmes that would enable young women towards self-actualization, understanding their needs, helping them acquire the tools for decision-making and stressing their role in bringing about changes in conditions for all Palestinian women through conduct of training/capacity building among women

- Advocate for Palestinian women's rights, so that they become more capable in expressing themselves and confront the social difficulties and problems in their daily life, especially because of their occupation.

To all the above ideas and recommendations, we invite women and men at all levels of the YMCA to join hands and transform the patterns of inequity and injustice against one-half of the world: the women.

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