“SILENCE IN THE FACE OF ATROCITY IS NOT NEUTRALITY; SILENCE IN THE FACE OF ATROCITY IS ACQUIESCENCE.”

-SAMANTHA POWER

Were you aware? Among 736 million women, almost one in three have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. 

Yes, the numbers have increased significantly in recent years, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak. The women aged between 15 and older are reported to have been socially isolated and secluded in their homes as well as at their workplace, increasing their vulnerability to violence almost every day.

So, for how long are you going to keep silent regarding this matter? Every second you spend and remain in silence, one woman has already lost her right to life. A young girl has lost her right to be the future of this land.

It is high time for you to stop peeking but openly admit your duty to stand against gender-based violence and raise your voice for a stable tomorrow.

25^th of November is not another day, but a day for the elimination of violence against women. The United Nations has specifically marked this date on the calendar to actively engage in eradicating any form of violence against women in a global scale. Bearing the theme “ORANGE THE WORLD: END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOW!”.

The United Nations invites the whole world to be a part of this worthy cause creating opportunities for women to have a safe future. For this, 16 days of activism will be commenced from the 25^th of November to December 10^th. The public places are illuminated in orange to recall the need for a violence-free future.

Accordingly, any act of abuse is considered violent and it can be in any form, either physical violence, sexual violence or psychological violence. Apart from these, domestic violence, school-related gender-based violence, street-based sexual harassment, emotional violence, cultural violence, neglect, verbal abuse and financial abuse are other forms of violence. All these types of violence come directly or indirectly or in a structured manner. Ironically, women are prone to at least one of the above-mentioned types, daily. 

As per the results received from surveys, the authorities have also given priority to introducing modes and means to safeguard the psychological aspect in women especially during a time of a global pandemic. The major reason behind this is it was found that women undergo psychological violence not only at their residences but also at their workplaces, especially at government institutions. For instance, from a survey conducted across five regions, it was found that 82 percent of women parliamentarians have experienced some form of psychological violence while serving their terms. It includes remarks, gestures and images of a sexist or humiliating sexual nature and mobbing while receiving death, rape, assault, or abduction threats towards them and their families.

“VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CANNOT BE TOLERATED, IN ANY FORM, IN ANY CONTEXT, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, BY ANY POLITICAL LEADER OR BY ANY GOVERNMENT. “

-BAN KI MOON

Further, with the emergence of novel technologies, a new form of violence/ threat has been found. Cyber threats/ harassments are a common form of violence that is seen in a complex and highly evolving sphere which is the cybersphere. The perpetrators and victims of cyber threats are reported from all over the world, highlighting the fact that any individual of any part of a region can be subjected to a cyber threat.

It has been found that one in 10 women in the European Union has experienced cyber-harassment since the age of 15. The risk is at its peak point where young women between 18 to 29 years are affected by receiving unwanted and/ or offensive sexually explicit emails or text messages, or offensive and/or inappropriate advances on social networking sites.

What can we do to stop violence against women? Is conducting public events to raise awareness among the community sufficient? No. Campaigns are vital to address issues on a wider scale but there should be something more than that. You should raise your voice against violence no matter what your gender is. Voice has the power to wake the unseen and the unvoiced. Voice has the power to fuel empowerment. Regardless of caste, race, religion, status, everyone should positively raise their voices.

To stop all these forms of violence everyone needs to think and act rationally. Having a proper legal regime itself is not sufficient if legal justice is not rendered to the community. Sustainable goals could only be achieved if the issues of every person are addressed properly, leaving none behind. Hence, the community should be truthful not only in their words but also in their actions.

Remember, every time we liberate a woman, we liberate a man. We as responsible people should encourage women to stand against discrimination towards them. For there is a lioness inside each woman waiting to roar, we should empower them to stand on their own accord. Your gender should not be a hindrance but a vessel that is used to instill a new hope on this row land of negativity. Gender is just a mark to identify you in society. Let not gender be your doom but a blessing.

You are not alone as long as you have a voice. No one is voiceless for there are countless means to build up your voice be it through education, literature, music, or any other means. Brand yourself for there is not another person like you. Copying and degrading your self-esteem will only let you wander in a void space. Both females and males have a role in eradicating gender-based violence. In unison, we can achieve much more than we think we are capable of.

Written by Rtr. Malithi Fernando