SLC22-W5/ GENDER VIOLENCE
Hello guys, I believe we all are doing perfect. Today is another the for me participating in the steemit learning challenge titled Gender Violence, the class was impactful and then to prove how well I understood, I'm going to answer the three exercise given by the teacher.
Without further ado...
| Part | 1: |
-. Please tell us if there is a special law in your country to protect women's rights and what is your opinion regarding this law.
-. Please state whether you consider this law to be effective and whether it does not violate the principle of equality before the law enjoyed by both men and women.
| Answer... |
Here in my country Nigeria, there are laws specifically enacted to protect women's rights and one of the most popular law is the Violence against person prohibition act (VAPP which was adopted into law in the nigerian constitution in 2015.
The law provides a understanding approach in addressing different kindss of violence against women which include domestic violence, sexual assault and harmful traditional practices as well..
And it also includes provisions for the protection of women from all kinds of violence which offers legal recourse and protection to women who are victims of violence..
Also, nigeria also have the Child right act and the National Gender Policy that emphasise gender equality and the protection of women and children from exploitation, trafficking and abuse..
In my country Nigeria, we also have the Women's Affairs department or ministry which is responsible for promoting womens empowerment, gender equality and social welfare.
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Nigeria is a monumental step forward in the protecting the women rights and safety, this groundbreaking legislation enacted to address issues of gender based violence offers a big legal framework that ensures women are shielded from all forms of violence including physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
The Act aims to foster a society where women can live free from fear oppression and discrimination
One of the important strengths of the VAPP Act is its comprehensive approach which recognizes and addresses the different forms of violence women face, from domestic violence to harmful cultural practices
The Act serves as important tool for holding perpetrators accountable and offering victims avenues for legal resource to assert their right.
The inclusion of preventive measures also ensures that society is educated on the importance of protecting womens rights, promoting a cultural shift toward greater respect for women and girls.
The Nigerian Ministry of Women Affairs has played an instrumental role in supporting the implementation of the VAPP Act which ensure that women have access to legal, health and psychological support services.
Through various advocacy programs the Ministry has been at the forefront of creating awareness and empowering women to know their rights, by championing women rights and driving the enforcement of legal protections, the Ministry contributes significantly to improving the quality of life for Nigerian women.
Together the VAPP Act and the efforts of the Ministry of Women Affairs are helping to shape a more just and equitable society where women rights are protected and perpetrators of violence face the full weight of the law
The continue in implementation and strengthening of these policies has help go a long way in securing the future of women in Nigeria which fosters a safer and more inclusive environment for generations to come.
In terms of the principle of equality before the law, I believe that such laws while necessary can be controversial when it comes to their application.
Because some may argue that laws like the VAPP Act which specifically protects women might seem to undermine the principle of equality because it provides women with certain protections not afforded to men.
these laws are designed not to privilege women but to address historical gender inequalities and the specific violence that women face due to their gender.
In societies where women have traditionally been disadvantaged and vulnerable to gender based violence, such special laws are an attempt to level the playing field, so therefore I do not believe that these laws violate the principle of equality before the law but instead they acknowledge the need for gender specific protections that reflect the unequal circumstances women faces.
| Part | II: |
-. From the list of crimes mentioned in class, say which ones you consider may be crimes of gender violence and which ones may be common crimes committed against a woman or women.
- Have you or someone close to you been a victim of gender violence. What was the situation? Was the victim able to assert her rights? Do you think the law favored the victim?
| Answer... |
From the list of crimes mentioned in the class I will identify which ones can be considered as gender based violence and which are more commonly considered regular crimes.
Psychological Violence: This is a form of gender violence that mostly goes unnoticed, It refers to any act that causes mental or emotional harm to a woman, Which includes belittling, constant insults, threats and manipulation all of which are common forms of abuse in intimate relationships.
Sexual Violence: Here isbthe direct form of gender violence that specifically targets women due to their gender, Rape, sexual harassment and other sexual abuses are all part of this category.
Domestic Violence: Any violent act happened within a domestic setting, mostly by a partner or family member falls under gender violence when it targets women specifically.
Sexual Slavery: This crime mostly associated with human trafficking it is an extreme form of gender violence where women are forcibly made to provide sexual services against their will.
Obstetric Violence: This happens when women are subject to be disrespectful or harmful treatment during pregnancy, labor or childbirth.
Trafficking of Women, Girls and Adolescents: This is also gender violence since it always targets women and girls for exploitative purposes which includes forced labor and sexual exploitation.
Homicide: A woman who is murdered for reasons unrelated to her gender such as a robbery gone wrong, is a victim of homicide rather than femicide.
Theft: When a woman is a victim of theft it is a common crime not a gender violence crime unless the theft is part of a larger pattern of harassment or exploitation based on gender.
Here I am going to share an experience involving my elder sister who was a victim of gender violence in the form of domestic abuse, she got married to a man who exhibited controlling and violent behaviors with her.
Even small disagreements will get worse to the point where he would physically abuse my sister, His behavior was rooted with the intention to dominate and control her often using violence to assert his authority.
But my sister was eventually able to assert her rights by reaching out to the Nigerian Womens Affairs department for support and through this channel, her husband was held accountable for his actions.
He was punished by the authorities and he was also required to undergo counseling, he agreed to refrain from further abuse although there were continued efforts to ensure his compliance with the law.
Here, the law helped in this situation but it also highlighted the challenges that many women face when they come forward, my sister was fortunate to have had the right support. It was the Nigerian Ministry of women affair that helped her assert her right, this shows how effective those legal bodies and law are to help woman in Nigeria.
the law has truly protect women as the are more accessibility to services and stronger framework to ensure that perpetrators are consistently held accountable for their crime.
| Part | III: |
Case Study 1.
A thief arrives at a restaurant and subdues the customers there so they give up their belongings. A woman refuses to hand over her cell phone and money, instead she confronts the thief so he fires his firearm and shoots the aforementioned woman, causing her death.
-. Please state whether we are dealing with a femicide or a homicide committed against a woman. Explain your answer.
Case Study 2.
After some time, a man began insulting his wife, telling her that she was not worthy as a woman. He humiliated her, not letting her work or go out, claiming that a woman belongs to the house and cannot go out without her husband's consent.
One day, in the middle of the argument, the woman tried to respond to his insults and he beat her up, leaving her face with bruises.
-. Please state whether this is a crime of gender violence or a common crime committed against a woman. Explain your answer.
| Answer... |
In this case, a thief arrives at a restaurant and subdues customers to steal their belongings, a woman refuses to comply, confronts the thief and is shot to dead.
This is homicide and not femicide, because while the victim was a woman her death was not due to her gender but rather due to her resistance to the thief.
As was taught, femicide refers specifically to the killing of a woman because of her gender usually in the context of a relationship or as part of a larger patterrn of gender based violence.
In this cases, the motive for the killing was not gender based but criminal intent (robbery), so it is classified as homicide.
In this case, a man insults his wife, restricts her movements and eventually beats her during an argument which caused physical harm.
This is gender based violence, specifically domestic violence.
The act of controlling and belittling the wife is rooted in traditional gender roles and the idea that a woman is subservient to her husband, the violence committed here is due to the womans gender and her position in the relationship and it is a clear example of gender violence.
The mans actions are a result of the power dynamics between the couple which are always driven by society norms that view women as inferior to men.
| Conclusion... |
In conclusion, gender based violence is a multifaceted issue that requires nuanced legal approaches and consistent enforcement, special laws, such as those in Nigeria are vital for protecting women but their effectiveness is contingent upon awareness, access to justice and the elimination of cultural barriers that prevent women from asserting their rights.
In the context of the case studies we see that understanding the distinction between femicide and homicide as well as gender violence and common crimes is important in ensuring that justice is served appropriately.
Finally, while legal frameworks like the VAPP Act are important they must be accompanied by societal change to truly eradicate gender violence and provide equal protection for all individuals.
I won't learn alone so I'll invite @presh001, @usoro01 and @dazzle55 to participate in this learning challenge, I'll be eagerly waiting to read you entry.
Thanks you all for your time...
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