What is Violence Against Women?
Violence Against Women is, as the United Nations defines it:
“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
http://www.thepixelproject.net/vaw-facts/about-violence-against-women/
Violence Against Women is a huge public health issue and a violation of human rights. It results in a wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health issues for both men and women, compounded by women who are afraid to report the violence she faces. With little access to healthcare, education and opportunity, many women are left open to abuse.
Up to one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lives. This means your mother, sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter, cousin, or even you, may be or have been abused in some manner in your lives.
Do not be deceived: Violence against women is all about power. It is the attempted domination over your life by your abuser.
Violence against women is also a national health concern. Intimate partner abuse, or Domestic Violence, was estimated to exceed US$5.8 billion a year in the United States alone.The majority went into direct medical and healthcare services, something most women lack access to until something serious happens.
Violence against women is NOT a private of family issue. It is a community and public health issue affecting not only the abuser and his victim but everyone around them.
