Preventing Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a global crisis. According to RAINN, a person is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. It costs our society in the form of lost productivity, medical and mental health care, law enforcement and police services. It also impacts a victim’s quality of life and relationships. We all have a role to play in preventing sexual assault. We can support survivors and stop sexual abuse before it happens by promoting healthy relationships, safe behaviors and thoughtful policies. We can also educate ourselves and others about the risk factors that lead to sexual violence, such as alcohol and drug use, gender bias, cultural norms, and subtle victim blaming.

Sexual assault can be anything from unwanted touching to full-on rape. It can be committed by strangers or people in intimate relationships. It can be coercive, meaning the attacker manipulates the victim into doing sexual acts she doesn’t consent to. It can be done while a victim is drunk, asleep or otherwise incapacitated. It can be a result of harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, or class. It can even be a part of a mass-attack, such as the gang rapes that have occurred in New Delhi and other places around the world.

All kinds of people can become victims of sexual violence, including women, men and children. It can affect anyone who identifies as transgender or non-binary. It can be gender-based or a result of sexual orientation, and it can include attacks on groups of people such as sex offenders.

It’s important to remember that a lot of sexual violence is fueled by feelings of powerlessness and shame. Victims are often blamed for the assault, which can fuel more aggression and violence in the future. This is called bystander effect, and it’s something we can address by being aware of what causes sexual violence and by speaking out when we see it happening.

Research has shown that sexual violence is preventable. However, it takes a collective effort to change the culture of sexual assault. We can do our part by teaching everyone we know about consent and boundaries, challenging images of sexism in advertising, pornography and professional wrestling, and by supporting people who work to end sexual violence. We can advocate for laws that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

We can also show up for people who are victims by making sure they know we believe them, that we understand how much this hurts and that we want to help them in any way we can. We can provide a safe space for them to talk about what happened and offer a judgement-free, compassionate presence. We can also help them find resources, like hotlines and counseling services. And we can support them as they report to the police and seek justice for what has happened to them. You can learn more about how to support someone who has been assaulted by downloading our Don’t Miss the Signs flyer in English or Spanish.

Why Victim Blaming Is Not Okay

Survivors of sexual violence often feel like they have to carry the weight of their trauma and its aftermath on their own. They may be blaming themselves, or the people who hurt them, for what happened to them. But this is not the case—victim blaming is not okay, and it’s important to understand why it happens so that we can fight it.

Whenever an incident of victimisation makes the news, there’s always someone who is quick to put blame on the victim for what happened to them. It might be a journalist asking what the victims were wearing, or it could be a friend or relative who asks why they were out so late at night, or whether they knew the attacker well enough to avoid them. These are just a few of the many examples of victim blaming that we’re constantly exposed to through the media and in real life.

While it might seem obvious that some of those who victim blame have a vested interest in doing so (such as the perpetrators themselves, or their lawyers), what’s less clear is why and how so many other people do this. Some are unwitting, but others appear to actively enjoy victim blaming and use it as an emotional outlet. This type of person is called a “psychopathic victim blamer” and there’s evidence that they actually derive satisfaction from victimising others.

Even if a friend or loved one does not have a vested interest in victim blaming, they may still fall into the trap of it due to the fundamental attribution error. This psychological bias is a tendency to attribute other people’s behaviour to internal, personal characteristics and overlook any external factors that may have contributed to the situation.

This can be dangerous for victims who are trying to get help and support from their friends and family. For instance, if they are being victim-blamed and do not receive the support that they need, it may discourage them from reporting what happened to the police. It could also lead to feelings of post-traumatic stress, depression and health issues.

It’s therefore crucial that we try to prevent victim blaming at all times, not just in the wake of high profile incidents. To do this, we need to be aware of the signs that someone is blaming a victim and challenge their language and behaviour.

To make this easier, we’ve created a series of scenarios that can be used in a training session to identify the language and behaviours of victim blaming. By identifying these, professionals can learn how to respond in a more positive and supportive way and ensure that survivors are believed and understood. These are not to be used as a judgement on colleagues, but as a tool to encourage reflection and discussion about what they might need to change in their practice going forward. You can find our full list of victim blaming scenarios here. We hope that you find them useful, and if you have any questions about how to use them, please do not hesitate to contact us.

5 Reasons to Celebrate Being a Woman

A simple question has prompted a surprising debate: What is a woman?

Throughout much of human history, the term “woman” has been defined not in terms of herself but rather in relation to man. Women have been considered property, treated with consideration varying from that given to an ox to that of a treasured grand piano.

In the past, most women were expected to stay at home and raise children, while men went out into the world to work and provide for the family. But today, women are increasingly outnumbering men in college, in graduate school, and even in professional jobs. In fact, some countries are now led by women.

But despite the many advances women have made, it’s not always easy being a woman. The expectations of society, societal stereotypes, monthly menstrual highlights, and hormonal mood swings can make being female challenging to say the least. But there are plenty of reasons to celebrate being a woman:

1. Women have a double X chromosome, which gives them extra genetic material—a backup if you will—that compensates (at least partially) for bad mutations. Men, on the other hand, have one X chromosome and a Y chromosome, leaving them without any kind of backup if a bad mutation appears.

2. Women are more likely to fight for equal rights and be leaders in their communities, workplaces, and societies.

Studies show that when women are involved in decision-making, the policies they design and apply have a positive impact on people’s lives. This is particularly true for women’s health and economic security. For example, one study found that poverty rates drop by an average of 14 percentage points when women are involved in a country’s government.

3. Women have more power than ever before to change the world for the better.

Women’s leadership is critical to solving many of the world’s most pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, child mortality, and climate change. Women are able to bring unique perspectives to these issues because of their experience, knowledge, and relationships with the people who matter most. In addition, women’s leadership is backed by evidence: research shows that when women are involved in government and public decision-making, they promote legislation that benefits both women and their families.

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights

Across the world, women face discrimination and violence. They earn less than men for doing the same work, are more likely to experience violence at home or in the workplace, and have fewer rights to make their own choices about health, education, employment, and family size. Getting more people on board with the idea that women’s rights are human rights improves progress on all those fronts.

When the term “women’s rights” first entered popular use in the mid-90s, it was controversial. Even in countries that had ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, it was still rare for people to see women’s rights as intrinsically connected to other human rights. Now, the concept is almost universally accepted.

The last half century has seen huge advances in women’s lives, but there is still much to do. Globally, women have three-quarters of the legal rights men enjoy; in sub-Saharan Africa, only 27% of countries treat women equally with men. Many harmful patriarchal traditions persist – including child marriage and female genital mutilation – which deprive girls of a good education, lead them into an early life of unrest and poverty, and place them at higher risk of death or injury during pregnancy and childbirth. Women are also more likely to live in poverty than men – especially in low and middle-income countries – because they don’t own land, are restricted by restrictive laws about how and where they can work, and are not protected from sexual harassment or assault.

When countries treat women unequally, it affects everyone. It’s a sign of autocracy and erodes democracy, whether the government tells women where they can or must go, whom they can marry, what they should wear, or when they can become pregnant. It’s also a sign of incompetence and neglect, because women have a strong connection to their communities, and they can offer critical insights on how to better their economy, protect their health, and build a better future.

In the United States, most people have a positive view of how far their country has come in giving women equal rights with men. But the question is how to move forward – about 40% of adults say they think America has not yet gone as far as it should.

Those who have a positive view are mostly Democratic men and women and Republicans. They want the federal government to do more on a range of issues, from providing more health care to families with children and boosting economic opportunities for women and girls, to curbing climate change and other environmental risks that disproportionately affect them. They’re also interested in improving equality between black and white women, as well as reducing the pay gap between women and men. These improvements are interconnected and have a profound impact on people’s lives. For example, advancing women’s economic equality will help all Americans by addressing problems like climate change, natural disasters, and financial crises. It’s up to each of us to ensure that happens.

How to Measure Gender Inequality

Gender inequality refers to the fact that different sexes are routinely treated differently in societies throughout the world – with one gender being given more opportunities or benefits than another. Gender inequality can also be seen in the ways that gender biases, stereotypes and beliefs affect individuals and society. This inequality can have a negative impact on individuals’ health, economic opportunities and life chances. Gender inequality is often caused by discrimination and sexism that stem from social norms, culture and biology. It is a global challenge that requires political leadership and comprehensive policy reforms across all sectors.

A common approach is to examine a range of indicators to measure progress towards equality. These typically include measures of attaining membership in the “club” – enrolling in school, entering the labor force, becoming a national legislator or member of parliament. These are important indicators for the overall well-being of a population but fail to capture some other forms of discrimination. They also tend to be highly volatile and are sensitive to changes in demographics.

In addition, these indicators do not tell us whether or not the gap is closing. This requires a comparison of the current state of a nation’s gender inequality with its past history. This can be done using the concept of relative deprivation (Milanovic 2005).

This compares the current state of a country with its historical average over time. Depending on the indicator, this can be either a negative or a positive number, reflecting how close a country is to its historic average.

For example, the indicator measuring women’s employment rate shows that the proportion of employed women is lower than it was historically. In this case, the trend is negative despite the fact that global gender inequality in employment has been declining since 1960.

In many countries, the underlying reason for this trend is demographic change. Over the last 40 years, sub-Saharan African and MENA nations have experienced faster population growth than developed countries. This can lead to a “rebound effect” whereby a rise in gender inequality is compounded by an increase in other forms of inequality (e.g., poverty, educational attainment, mortality).

In addition to the effect of demographics, gender inequality is also influenced by the way that governments and businesses allocate resources. This is why some advocates of gender equality argue that more attention should be paid to the need for policies that support women’s economic participation. In their view, this would promote a more gender-equal economy and reduce other forms of inequality. Another argument is that gender equality is a business imperative. Creating an environment where women can fully participate in the workplace can lead to higher productivity, which in turn leads to better economic performance. This is a compelling argument that can be supported by empirical evidence from various regions and countries. However, it should be noted that even if the economic gains from gender equality were to be achieved, the current global inequality gap in education, healthcare and poverty rates is large and will require substantial progress to close.

Preventing Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a serious crime that is often hidden from view and has devastating effects on victims. Whether sexual assault is physical, emotional or psychological, the consequences for survivors can be lifelong and complex.

The statistics are startling: up to 94% of women who experience rape develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with 50% suffering long-term effects. Sexual abuse can also have devastating effects on children.

A victim of sexual assault or abuse may feel a range of emotions including anger, fear, guilt, shame and apathy. Some women feel they have somehow provoked their attackers and many blame themselves. Victims might find it difficult to believe their experience, especially when friends or family members tell them they should “just get over it”. Survivors are also at risk of injuring themselves by attempting self-harm.

People can take steps to prevent sexual violence in their communities and in their personal lives. They can teach children about the difference between sex and love and the importance of respecting boundaries. They can support the efforts of community members and advocates to create safe spaces and educate others about consent, boundaries and sex safety. They can help by donating money, volunteering time or lobbying legislators to support laws that hold perpetrators accountable and provide resources for victims.

Preventing sexual violence takes place on three different levels: Individual level-behaviors that lead to the use of violence and a person’s capacity for changing those behaviors. Family or relationship level-relationships that are characterized by sexual abuse, including abusive relationships between parents and their children. Community or societal level-settings and characteristics that are associated with a greater incidence of sexual violence, including work culture, schools, churches and neighborhoods.

For example, patriarchal cultures are more likely to have higher rates of sexual assault and exploitation than matriarchal or egalitarian societies. A culture’s beliefs about gender roles and relationships are also related to the prevalence of sexual violence.

In addition, the ability of a society to support its victims is important. This includes the cultural and religious resources available to women who have experienced violence, as well as social support systems and policies that promote and protect victims’ rights.

Taking action to prevent sexual violence can be daunting, but anyone can do something to contribute. Even small acts can have a big impact, such as calling 911 when someone needs help or offering a ride home from a party where alcohol is being served.

It is important to remember that any sexual assault or rape is not the victim’s fault. Sexual violence can be triggered by many factors including alcohol and drugs. The majority of sexual violence is committed by men and is often motivated by an insatiable need for power and control over their partner or victim. People can combat these dynamics by challenging images of violence against women in advertising, pornography and professional wrestling and encouraging their peers to take responsibility for their sexuality instead of letting it be defined by their partners or the media.

Victim Blaming

The recent murder of backpacker Grace Millane reignited a national conversation about victim blaming, with people across the political spectrum weighing in on whether her death was ‘her fault’. While we all want to believe that the world is fair and that bad things don’t happen to us, this desire can often lead to a form of victim blaming where we blame victims for their own misfortune. Victim blaming can take many forms and be subtle, such as questioning why someone was targeted or asking what they could have done differently. This form of victim blaming is harmful and can silence survivors, which in turn perpetuates the cycle of abuse.

There are many reasons why people engage in victim blaming. One reason is the desire to believe that the world is a fair place and that people get what they deserve, a belief known as the just-world phenomenon. Another reason is the tendency to believe that other people aren’t capable of harming themselves, a belief called the attribution of insanity bias. It is also common for people to engage in victim blaming as a way of coping with their own feelings, such as guilt or shame. For example, if you feel uncomfortable hearing about an abusive relationship, it can be easy to project those feelings onto the victim and blame them for staying in the situation.

A third reason for victim blaming is a desire to avoid exposing our own vulnerabilities. This can make people more likely to assume that others are responsible for their own misfortune, and it can make people unwilling to admit when they have wrongly interpreted a situation or abused their power. In a society that is increasingly afraid to talk about victim blaming, we need to be mindful of the impact of our words and actions.

If you see a loved one engaging in victim blaming, let them know that they are not helping their trauma recovery by saying such things. Rather, tell them that you believe them and are there for them, and offer to help in any way you can. Supporting and believing survivors is crucial, as victim blaming can lead to increased suicidal thoughts for some.

The more relevant a person’s situation is to them, the less likely they are to engage in victim blaming. This is because people who have directly experienced a traumatic event are more likely to understand the context of a crime or accident, and they may therefore be less inclined to blame victims for their own misfortune.

It is also important to be aware that some people find comfort in victim blaming, and even appear to derive enjoyment from it. A study found that those who had a high score on a measure of “everyday sadism” were more likely to engage in victim blaming, and they seemed to enjoy thinking about how the victim brought their own misfortune upon themselves. Those who engage in this type of behavior are damaging to society and should be held accountable for their actions.

The True Definition of a Woman

Women have made significant contributions to society in many spheres, including economic development, public policymaking, and education. Despite these advancements, stereotypes and expectations continue to limit women’s potential. By challenging traditional beliefs and norms, we can create a world where women can pursue their dreams without barriers and reach their fullest potential.

A common misconception about what defines a woman is that she must be the same sex as she was born. This limiting view ignores the fact that many people have a different sex at birth. It also makes a mockery of the concept of gender identity by reducing it to a matter of sex rather than who one is.

When the angel knelt before Mary, he reverenced not her chromosomes or her gender but a person who had been created by God in his image and likeness, to bear His Son. We can learn from this example, that the true definition of a woman is not derived from her sex or gender but from her personhood, her holy integrity, and her imprint upon God Himself.

Throughout history, women have fought for their rights as individuals and were often treated as second-class citizens. In the past, they could not vote, work outside of the home, or even own property. They were seen as a “distaff” whose main roles were to raise children and perform household chores.

Today, women have a greater presence in the workforce than ever before, earning more degrees and entering professional fields in higher numbers than men. They are also starting their own businesses at a record pace, contributing to a growing economy and changing the way we view gender roles.

While progress has been made, challenges remain for women, especially in developing countries. The global pay gap is still prevalent, and it’s important to support policies that close the wage gap. Additionally, it’s essential to tackle the obstacles that prevent women from being educated and advancing their careers. Countries with educated and empowered women have stronger economies, more stable families, and better health outcomes than those that don’t.

Women are a key part of the family, providing care for children and elderly relatives. They are the foundation of family ties and often serve as role models for younger generations. Additionally, women are critical to the success of communities, assuming leadership roles in government and business and advocating for their community’s interests.

By challenging gender stereotypes, women have proven that they are just as capable and resilient as men. From the first female athletes to Billie Jean King’s historic Battle of the Sexes, women have pushed the boundaries and set new standards for excellence. Their efforts have demonstrated that women are just as able to inspire change and change the world as men are. By acknowledging and appreciating the impact that women have on our lives, we can foster a better future for all.

Women’s Rights – The First Steps Towards Women’s Equal Rights With Men

The world would be a better place if women had equal rights with men. It’s a fundamental human right and a precondition for sustainable development. In societies where women enjoy their rights, there are more opportunities for education and health, economic growth and poverty reduction. Women’s inequality is everyone’s problem – and it can be resolved only by changing the ways in which societies think, operate and govern themselves.

The first steps towards a world where women’s rights are respected began with the creation of women’s organizations in the 1960s. The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 to organize and coordinate women’s lobbying efforts. The organization was soon followed by a range of mass-membership groups targeting specific groups of women such as Blacks, lesbians, Asian-Americans, welfare recipients and tradeswomen of all kinds. These were the precursors to today’s feminist movement that is fighting for gender parity across the globe.

Despite the progress that has been made, the fight for women’s rights is far from over. Women around the world are still subject to violence, discrimination and injustice. Almost 1 in 3 experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. One in five girls are married before they turn 18 and more than 200 million have undergone female genital mutilation. In many countries, women are paid less than men for the same work and face barriers to reproductive health care. Moreover, in the United States, the Supreme Court and multiple state governments have taken steps to ban or limit access to legal abortions.

It is no surprise that a majority of Americans – both men and women and people from all partisan backgrounds – believe that the country has not gone far enough to give women equal rights with men. When asked about what is holding back progress on this front, 77% of Americans say that sexual harassment is a major obstacle. Other major obstacles include: women not being in leadership positions, different expectations society places on men and women and family responsibilities.

Women’s rights are essential for all of us – but it takes hard work and persistence to make the changes necessary to realize them. We at medica mondiale are working to change the way society thinks about gender equality and its consequences. And we’re bringing the facts to light so that people around the world can stand up for women’s rights. Together with our partners, we are raising awareness of women’s rights issues and pointing to concrete ways that people can take action to end them.

Global Crisis of Gender Inequality

The world is facing a global crisis of gender inequality. Gender inequality undermines human rights, stunts economic growth and limits societies’ ability to address the many issues that we face today.

The root causes of the gender gap are complex. Often, they are rooted in cultural norms and values that deny women’s dignity, devalue their contributions, and limit their opportunities. Changing these cultural perceptions requires commitment, leadership and sustained investments.

But other factors, such as poverty and climate disasters, social unrest and conflict and the unequal division of work and care responsibilities, are also a challenge to overcome. These factors can exacerbate existing gender gaps by directly affecting women’s lives and livelihoods or keeping them out of school and work. They also contribute to a vicious cycle of exclusion where the impact of one gap fuels another, creating a self-perpetuating dynamic that hinders progress towards equality.

For example, in countries affected by conflict and armed violence, girls are 2.5 times more likely than boys to be denied the right to education due to deeply ingrained gender norms such as child marriage or female genital mutilation. As a result, they lose out on the opportunity to become educated, and their future earnings potential is greatly diminished. This is a massive waste of talent that society cannot afford.

Even in more advanced economies, gender inequality is prevalent and a key barrier to progress. Women’s participation in the labor force is lower than men’s despite equal qualifications and performance, and they are less likely to own and manage businesses. This limits their access to capital and resources that can help them create jobs, grow their businesses and support their families. It is vital for the global economy that governments invest in initiatives that promote women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, and provide equal access to financial services to unlock this huge reservoir of untapped potential.

Gender inequality is closely linked to other forms of discrimination such as race and ethnicity, which continues to shape the economic opportunities available to people around the world. For instance, in colonial Virginia, European settlers decided what work was taxable and which was not based on the racial identity of the worker. As a result, black women earned significantly less than white women for the same work, which is a legacy that has shaped the wage gap to this day.

Gender inequality is an enormous hurdle to achieving global development goals such as those of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving these objectives will require a transformation in mindsets and comprehensive policy reforms that include investments, leadership and commitment to achieve gender equality. If we don’t make the necessary investments and transform our policies, it will take 131 years to close the current gender gap, as estimated by the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023. It is not acceptable that, in the year 2050, more women will live in extreme poverty than in today’s world.