V Day
V Day is an alternate to the diabetes-inducing cringe-fest that is Valentine's Day. V Day is a global movement that campaigns for an end to violence against women and girls. It is fitting to use today, 14 February, for something other than an excuse to buy pretentious tack masquerading as romance.Violence against women and girls is one of the most serious issues globally. As I have mentioned before, the number one set of people at risk of violence are women and girls. The simple fact of being born a woman puts one at risk of violence. That is over fifty percent of the planet's population before one discusses poverty, ethnicity, religion, terrorism etc. That is unacceptable.
In Cambodia, violence against women and girls is reported daily.
'Violence against women, minors up in 2007', Cambodia Daily 2-3/2/2008
'Woman doused with acid after seeking divorce', Cambodia Daily 5/2/2008
'Personal disputes spur rash of acid attacks', Cambodia Daily 7/2/2008
'Second victim dies from Jan 16 acid attack burns', Cambodia Daily 8/2/2008
Not to mention the violence against women all over the world
Rape Is Weapon in Kenyan Violence
Now in a shelter, a battered wife tells her story
Controversy over abortion rights for rape victims in Egypt
Our bodies - their battle ground: gender-based violence in conflict zones
GUINEA: Children exploited, abandoned, sold into slavery
Women 'bearing the brunt of war'
Liberia's child rape victims
Gang-rape victim says she and others silenced by Halliburton
Woman raped in park at knifepoint
Gender based violence is pervasive and present all over the world, regardless of culture, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. It must stop.
Say no to violence against women. Don't laugh at rape jokes. They are not fucking funny and only serve to reinforce the rape culture. Liss on Shakesville is collecting examples. And to those who deny that we are living in a world where rape is part of society, I suggest you read this and this and this and this and this and this and this and this. There are plenty more.
Today is Valentine's Day.It is appropriate that today people reflect on gender and violence because isn't today the day we act out the an incarnation of traditional gender roles. Most violence against women and girl is committed by an intimate partner or relation. How many women will get a token of commercial love today and get the shit kicked out of them tomorrow? Too many.
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3 comments:
isn't today the day we act out the
an incarnation of traditional
gender roles
Well expressed.
Zzzzzzz
Well put. I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately about the genocide in Rwanda. And there is a notable difference in how women and men were treated (not to say that the way the men were treated was okay). Men were shot immediately but women and girls were subject to gang rape and severe beatings and left to live with these horrors that would scar them forever. Any act of violence present in a genocide is sickening, but I'm sure those women had hoped to be shot instead to end the torture. Indeed it is not a laughing matter and it outrages me to hear anyone make a joke about such a disturbing and frequent occurrence throughout the world. If more women took the time to realize the frequency of these acts and read their stories, I imagine we could make a significant changes in laws regarding violence against women in all countries.
I completely agree allie. All we can do is to keep repeating the same messages, write constantly on the prevalence of violence against women and girls. And to do everything possible to break down the stereotypes and myths surround the issue.
Rape is used a weapon of war to destabilise communities and play on traditional values. Women are ruined in the eyes of the community.
Sexism hurts everybody.
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