Archive for category: Violence Against Women

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Domestic Violence and Poverty in Romania

poverty in RomaniaRomania is one of the lower-income countries in Europe. Its gross domestic profit (GDP) per capita in 2024 was only $20,080, significantly lower than that of other European countries such as Spain, at $35,326, or Italy, at $40,429.

Communist Rule in Romania

Nicolae Ceaușescu ruled Romania as a communist dictator from 1965 to 1989, first as head of the Communist Party and, from 1974, as the country’s president. Romania was one of the poorest countries in Europe during this period.

During this time, domestic violence, particularly against women, was not punished by law. This issue only gained attention in Romania after the fall of communism in 1989. Even after 1989, married women or women with partners were still not protected, as the Criminal Code and Law 1991 did not incriminate violence such as severe bodily harm if the wife was the victim. Other forms of violence against women, such as marital rape and sexual harassment, were also not punished. This highlights the government’s neglect in addressing domestic violence and poverty in Romania at the time.

Romania’s Economic Incline

Ceaușescu’s focus on quickly paying off Romania’s foreign debt led to a severe shortage of food items like bread, milk and meat. Other necessities, such as heating and electricity, were severely restricted, even in harsh winters, causing civilians to live in severe deprivation. This also affected Romania in the years following the end of communism, as their GDP per capita did not surpass $2,000 until 2002. However, since 2002, Romania’s GDP per capita has consistently increased and reached $25,693 in 2026. Additionally, while Romania has one of the lowest minimum wage salaries in the European Union in 2026, at around $972 per month, this represents a 6.8% increase from the previous year, indicating gradual economic improvement.

Domestic Violence Policy Changes

Laws regarding domestic violence in Romania have gradually improved over the years. In 2003, Law 217/2003 was established, allowing the National Agency for Family Protection to be implemented within the Ministry of Labor, Family and Equal Opportunities. The agency aimed to develop various aspects of the domestic violence justice system, such as punishment for perpetrators and shelters for victims. Law 211/2004 also granted victims of domestic violence free counseling sessions and financial compensation from the government. Furthermore, in 2012, the government established Law 25/2012, which made changes to Law 217/2003. Law 25/2012 stated that domestic violence includes physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, social and spiritual violence. Victims are allowed to ask the court for a restraining order, which can expel the aggressor from the home and require a 200-meter distance from the victim.

Poverty in Romania

Romania’s poverty rate has consistently decreased over the years. In 2017, 23.6% of the population, or about 4.6 million people, lived in poverty; by 2023, that figure had declined to around 19%, or roughly 3.6 million people, according to World Bank data. Separately, Romanian police recorded more than 40,000 domestic violence cases nationwide in just the first four months of 2025, according to Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs — nearly identical numbers between urban areas (19,984) and rural areas (20,046).

Conclusion

Both domestic violence and poverty in Romania have decreased since the country’s emancipation from communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1989. Although both issues remain prominent today, Romania continues to make improvements in its justice system and economy.

– Bianca Burdulea

Bianca is based in Sunderland, UK, and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Safe Houses Amid Growing Sexual Violence in Haiti

Sexual Violence in HaitiAnnounced on June 12, 2026, the first safe house supported by the state opened for survivors of sexual violence in Haiti. A 163% increase in verified cases of sexual violence amid rampant gang violence and internal displacement highlights the urgent need for this step from the state, as poverty becomes further entrenched.

The Situation in Haiti

Around 300 paramilitary gangs have dominated the void left by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, imposing violent rule. Haiti is in crisis, with only 20% of the capital city not under complete gang control. This has resulted in record levels of internal displacement, with over 1.4 million forced from their homes by the violence, pushing many into displacement sites and leaving women and girls even more vulnerable to sexual violence.

Gangs have weaponized sexual violence in Haiti, with a recorded 1,000% increase in sexual violence against children from 2023 to 2024. The drive to displacement sites has also pushed many women and families into poverty, with more than 80% of women living in these sites now unemployed. That trend is reflected in national poverty figures: 86% of the population lives on less than $6.85 a day, and 36.4% falls within the extreme poverty threshold, on less than $2 a day.

The national effect is compounded by the fact that most women were previously the primary income generators in their households. As a result, around 1 million female-dependent households are experiencing acute food insecurity. Sexual violence continues to impact women and girls disproportionately in Haiti, pushing families further into poverty. However, the opening of safe houses for survivors, along with efforts from the Pan-American Health Organization, an international health agency for the Americas, points to a more hopeful direction in the response.

The First State-Supported Safe Houses

Alongside U.N. Women, Haiti’s Ministry of Women’s Welfare and Women’s Rights led a significant step in addressing sexual violence in Haiti by opening the country’s first state-supported safe houses. These houses are set to provide survivors with a space to receive protection and support as they rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma of escalating gang violence. While this is a new initiative with no outcome metrics yet published, the concept aims to help victims regain their autonomy and safety by prioritizing survivors amid their vulnerability to political violence.

By focusing on women and girls, the initiative could also help address poverty by supporting the rebuilding of family incomes, as these havens aim to provide the assistance survivors need for recovery. The program is intended to offer immediate shelter from further gang violence, providing an escape from the gender-based violence that U.N. Women found was reported in all 22 displacement sites surveyed, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

Efforts from the PAHO/WHO

Alongside this state-led effort, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), is providing psychosocial and health care support to combat sexual violence in Haiti. PAHO, made up of 35 member states, works across its regional offices to improve health, fight disease and provide emergency response. For decades, it has supported Haiti by promoting healthy lives through more effective health services and by prioritizing risk reduction.

To support displaced survivors of sexual violence, funding has allowed PAHO/WHO to improve psychosocial services at displacement sites, deploying 11 psychologists and 11 social workers to provide professional assistance. The organizations have also equipped nine health facilities with specialized tools to treat survivors, including rape care kits, and trained 50 health professionals to provide more sensitive, high-quality care.

Combined with the opening of state-supported safe houses, these efforts represent important steps toward helping survivors return to stable lives and providing an opportunity to escape poverty.

Looking Ahead

The crisis of sexual violence in Haiti demands continued attention, as more victims fall into poverty. Still, the opening of safe houses marks a milestone in the response, establishing new protection and recovery pathways for women and children.

– Amy Carpenter

Amy is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka: Protecting Vulnerable Women

Human Trafficking in Sri LankaHuman trafficking in Sri Lanka continues to affect economically vulnerable communities, particularly women seeking work abroad due to limited local employment opportunities and financial instability. While many Sri Lankans migrate willingly in search of employment opportunities, economic instability and weak labor protections can increase the risk of trafficking and labor exploitation during the migration process. For women, gender inequality and limited employment opportunities often lead to work in low-wage sectors where legal protections may be weaker.

Organizations in Sri Lanka are expanding prevention, rehabilitation and community education programs aimed at reducing trafficking risks and supporting long-term poverty reduction. Efforts led by groups such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Women in Need (WIN) focus on safe migration education, victim support and economic empowerment programs that help vulnerable women and families reduce their exposure to exploitative migration pathways.

Economic Instability and Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis increased financial pressure on low-income households and contributed to rising overseas migration. According to a report, more than 312,000 Sri Lankans left the country for overseas employment in 2024, the highest figure ever recorded, driven by ongoing economic hardship and demand for overseas work. Many Sri Lankan women seek employment abroad in domestic work and caregiving sectors to support their families financially.

This migration pattern is shaped by gender inequality, as women often have fewer local income opportunities and may rely on overseas domestic work to support household expenses. As a result, safe migration information and verified recruitment channels are especially important for families relying on overseas work as a source of income.

International organizations have warned that human trafficking in Sri Lanka may become more difficult to prevent when deceptive recruitment practices, high recruitment costs and exploitative labor conditions affect migrant workers during the migration process. According to IOM, migrant workers, including women in domestic and care work, may face withheld travel documents, debt-related coercion and restricted freedom of movement after arriving in destination countries.

In response, IOM supports safe migration awareness programs in Sri Lanka that help workers identify verified recruitment agencies and better understand labor rights before migrating abroad. IOM also works with local authorities to strengthen victim identification and rehabilitation services for trafficking survivors.

Prevention Through Awareness Campaigns

Community awareness programs have become an important part of efforts to reduce human trafficking in Sri Lanka. In June 2025, IOM and Sri Lanka’s National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) launched a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness about trafficking risks, including forced labor, sexual exploitation and cyber scam-related exploitation. The campaign aimed to help communities identify trafficking risks and encourage the reporting of suspected cases.

The campaign focused on communities where limited job opportunities and unsafe recruitment channels may increase vulnerability to exploitation. By using television, radio and digital media, the initiative worked to provide workers and families with information about safe migration practices and available support services before accepting overseas employment opportunities. For low-income households, this type of information can help protect both worker safety and a potential source of family income.

UNICEF Sri Lanka has also supported community-based education and protection programs for economically vulnerable families affected by migration and financial instability. These initiatives aim to strengthen social support systems and improve awareness of exploitation risks and available support services.

WIN and Rehabilitation Efforts

Local organizations also continue expanding rehabilitation and empowerment services aimed at reducing human trafficking in Sri Lanka and supporting women affected by violence and exploitation. WIN, established in 1987, provides legal assistance, counseling and shelter services for women experiencing abuse and exploitation. According to a review published by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), WIN has played a significant role in supporting women affected by violence and promoting women’s rights in Sri Lanka. 

WIN also supports vocational training and economic empowerment initiatives to improve long-term financial stability for vulnerable women. Employment training and financial support programs may help reduce trafficking risks by increasing access to stable income opportunities, reducing economic dependence and giving women safer alternatives to risky migration arrangements. Furthermore, it works to improve awareness of gender-based violence and women’s rights through community outreach and educational programs. 

These initiatives aim to help women access support services and better understand the legal protections available to survivors of violence and exploitation.

Continued Efforts To Reduce Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka

Human trafficking in Sri Lanka remains closely connected to poverty, migration pressures and limited labor protections for vulnerable workers. However, organizations including IOM, UNICEF Sri Lanka and WIN continue to expand prevention and rehabilitation efforts focused on safe migration education, victim support and economic empowerment.

Despite ongoing challenges, investments in community education, vocational training and survivor support services continue to assist vulnerable communities across Sri Lanka. Continued cooperation between international organizations, local nonprofits and government agencies may help reduce trafficking risks while expanding safer income pathways for vulnerable women and families across Sri Lanka.

– Natalia Fleith Gelasko

Natalia is based in Berlin, Germany and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Initiatives Helping Domestic Violence Survivors in Pakistan

Domestic Violence Survivors in PakistanAccording to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, about 70% of women in Pakistan have experienced domestic violence. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that one in three women experiences at least one form of domestic abuse during her lifetime. Women living in poverty are more vulnerable to domestic violence, especially when they lack education and financial independence. 

Impoverished women also do not have their community or family’s support when it comes to gender-based violence. Furthermore, the police are often unwilling to help them, which further exacerbates their situation. 

Domestic Violence and the Law

This year, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill of 2026. The new law imposes stricter punitive measures for perpetrators and increases protections for those suffering from domestic violence. Under the bill, domestic violence includes acts causing bodily harm, stalking, harassment, repeated humiliation, threats of violence, false allegations, abandonment and coercion. 

It also includes threats of divorce, threats of a second marriage, sexual conduct that violates dignity, depriving someone of financial resources or restricting access to money or property. Stronger legal protections for victims and penalties for aggressors are steps toward ending domestic violence. However, they do little for women whose cases never reach the courts, whose abuse goes unreported or whose perpetrators are protected by local police. 

Thus, below are some initiatives helping domestic violence survivors in Pakistan, especially those already living in poverty. 

Panah 

The Panah Shelter Home provides refuge for survivors of domestic violence in Pakistan. It aims to rehabilitate abused women, improve their well-being and help them reintegrate into society stronger. The home provides survivors with resources, social services and access to social workers, lawyers, doctors and psychiatrists. 

Panah also equips them with skills for financial independence through literacy classes and vocational training in arts, crafts, cooking, sewing and beauty treatments. Women can also participate in recreational activities such as art therapy, yoga and games.

Bedari

Bedari is a national nongovernmental organization that addresses violence against women and children. It established the country’s first crisis center for domestic violence survivors. At first, the organization provided domestic violence survivors with resources such as legal aid, medical care, psychiatric counseling and other support services. 

Recently, Bedari launched initiatives to educate the public and raise awareness about the harms of domestic violence, aiming to denormalize abuse against women in Pakistani society. It also runs programs that empower, educate and train women to become financially independent, helping them escape abuse and poverty. These projects have impacted more than 3,000 women and girls in the Khushab and Bhakhar districts of Pakistan.

Dastak

Dastak Society is a justice center that supports survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in Pakistan through its women’s protection and child rights units. The center provides crisis management services, a 24/7 helpline, free legal assistance and shelter for survivors. Dastak Society also runs campaigns and programs to increase outreach, build capacity, raise community awareness and sensitize the public. 

These projects aim to shift sociocultural attitudes that enable domestic violence and ultimately bring an end to all violence against women.

Shirkat Gah

The Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Center is one of Pakistan’s leading women’s rights organizations, advocating for gender equity and addressing gender-based violence. It supports survivors of domestic violence, forced marriage and sexual violence. The center also provides training and safe spaces for connection, learning and social services. 

Its goal is to help women become more resilient and better informed about their right to live free from violence.

Humqadum Mobile App

With funding from the U.N. Trust Fund, the Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre, the National Commission on the Status of Women and Lahore University of Management Sciences collaborated to release a free mobile application called Humqadam. The app connects survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with existing support services across Pakistan, including legal aid and psychosocial counseling. 

It provides 24/7 support while helping break the taboo around seeking help and raising awareness of available resources.

Ending Domestic Violence in Pakistan

To conclude, several initiatives support domestic violence survivors in Pakistan, including a mobile app that connects them to available services. However, domestic violence will persist as long as gender-based violence remains normalized and widely ignored in Pakistani society. Ending domestic violence requires stronger educational initiatives and a broader societal shift in attitudes toward gender-based violence.

– Umaymah Suhail

Umaymah is based in Karachi, Pakistan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Femicides in Venezuela: Fighting Gender-Based Violence

Femicides in Venezuela: How NGOs Are Fighting Gender-Based ViolenceIn Venezuela, gender-based violence has reached alarming levels in recent years, reflecting the profound impact of the country’s ongoing humanitarian emergency. Institutional collapse, extreme poverty, forced migration and the absence of adequate public policies have created an environment where femicides in Venezuela continue to rise and women face multiple forms of violence. However, amid this reality, various feminist organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies are developing strategies to prevent violence, provide shelter, legal and psychological assistance and inform women about their rights.

A Humanitarian Crisis That Fuels Violence

Since 2015, Venezuela has faced a complex humanitarian emergency marked by economic collapse, institutional deterioration and the breakdown of public services. This situation has disproportionately affected women and girls. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), its latest Humanitarian Response Plan 2025 highlights the urgency of the situation: one in four people in Venezuela (about 7.6 million) requires humanitarian assistance, and 6.2 million need protection services, including child protection and support for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Although the country has experienced moderate economic growth over the past two years (2023–2024), deteriorating living conditions, food insecurity, the collapse of health care services and the absence of protective policies have allowed gender-based and sexual violence to continue rising. The Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence, while representing a legislative milestone, has not been effectively implemented due to institutional weakness and corruption. As a result, many victims face impunity, institutional revictimization and a lack of safe shelters. Most cases go unreported: an estimated 7 out of 10 women do not report the violence they experience, mainly due to fear of retaliation or mistrust of the judicial system.

Alarming Numbers and a Climate of Impunity

Recent data reveal the scale of the problem. According to the feminist observatory Utopix, there were 76 femicides in the first six months of 2025—equivalent to one woman murdered every 2.3 days. These killings are not isolated incidents; they reflect a justice system that fails to protect victims, where investigations often remain incomplete and perpetrators rarely face conviction.

Furthermore, Centro de Justicia y Paz (CEPAZ) reports that more than 50% of victims experience physical violence, while 65% suffer psychological abuse. These forms of aggression often escalate over time, frequently culminating in femicide.

Migration and Trafficking: A Double Vulnerability

The crisis has also forced millions of Venezuelans to leave the country, exposing women to new risks. According to platforms such as R4V, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and IOM, as well as surveys like ENCOVI, nearly 8 million people have left Venezuela. During migration, many women face sexual violence, labor exploitation and human trafficking.

These dynamics pose serious risks for women, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups. False job offers or migration promises deceive many, and due to the precarious nature of their journeys, they fall victim to trafficking networks and modern forms of slavery. According to the report Libres y Seguras by the Venezuelan organization Mulier, 1,390 Venezuelan women were rescued from trafficking networks in 2022, including 284 girls and adolescents. Documented cases include sexual exploitation, forced labor, and forced marriages in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Violence does not end once women cross the border. Xenophobia, labor exploitation, and the absence of legal protection continue to make them vulnerable. According to Utopix, more than 100 Venezuelan women have been victims of violence or femicide abroad between 2024 and 2025.

Organizations Making a Difference

Despite the challenging context, numerous NGOs and humanitarian agencies are supporting Venezuelan women both within and outside the country. Their work focuses on violence prevention, comprehensive care, legal assistance, and creating safe spaces.

CEPAZ leads the defense of women’s rights through free legal assistance, psychological support and accompaniment during judicial processes. It also manages the Digital Femicide Observatory, which compiles data and pressures the state to implement prevention and protection policies.

Utopix has become a national reference by documenting femicides in Venezuela and analyzing patterns of violence. Its work is essential for raising awareness amid a lack of official data. The organization also conducts community education and awareness campaigns to transform cultural norms that perpetuate violence.

UNHCR plays a crucial role internationally by providing legal assistance, shelter, psychological support and documentation. It also coordinates gender-based violence prevention programs with governments and local organizations.

Toward a Future Free of Violence

The increase in femicides, the impact of forced migration and the expansion of human trafficking reflect the profound social deterioration in Venezuela. However, the work of organizations such as CEPAZ, Utopix, Mulier, and UNHCR shows that civil society remains a driver of hope. Through direct support, human rights advocacy and the promotion of public policies, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a future in which women can live free from violence.

– Su Ying Lee Yang

Su is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Nations Eliminating GBV in Central Africa

gbv africaPoverty and gender-based violence (GBV) are deeply interconnected, as economic hardship often leaves women more vulnerable to abuse and limits their ability to seek safety and justice. In stopping gender-based violence in Central Africa, targeted foreign aid is playing a crucial role in breaking this cycle by funding initiatives that empower women financially, expand education, and strengthen legal protections. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAF), Chad, Cameroon and Rwanda, governments are using aid to overcome systemic challenges for women.

DRC: The World Bank’s Gender-Based Protection

The DRC’s collaboration with the World Bank has created the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response Project. The GBV Prevention and Response Project aims to increase government support for ending GBV and improve response times for GBV emergencies. The project offers survivor support centers, economic reintegration for women who have experienced abuse, and legal aid to women looking to get justice for any abuse or GBV. The project has served more than 79,000 women, reaching more than 8 million total. Undoubtedly, the DRC Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Project has increased access to justice and economic options for women living in poverty with no escape from gender-based violence.

CAF: Economic Independence through the Bêkou Trust Fund

In the CAF, the EU created the Bêkou Trust Fund for humanitarian development. The funds have been particularly helpful to women through its goals to restore security and the social contract between the government and the people. In CAF, less than 20% of girls attend secondary school and there are around 10,000 cases of yearly GBV on average. In the last 10 years, €11 million went to use in the gender theme of the fund. Through the Trust Fund, more than 68,000 women have received help with socio-economic integration, helping them live safely and independently.

Chad: Microfinancing for Empowerment via USAID

USAID’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative in Chad is working towards empowering women to escape cycles of gender-based violence through economic empowerment. Under the World Bank’s Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend, the initiative increases women’s access to health care, ability to enter the job market and lowers barriers to living independently. In Chad, 16.2%  of all women face gender-based or sexual violence in their lives. Although the USAID program is new, it has the promise to reduce this rate and increase equality between men and women in Chad.

Cameroon: Education and Legal Advocacy via UN Trust Fund

The U.N. Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, started by resolution 50/166 at the UNGA, has reached more than 7.7 million women globally. It aims to eliminate violence against women by increasing access to services like counseling and health care. Nearly 55% of women living in Cameroon experience gender-based violence every year. Still, the collection of programs under the U.N. Trust Fund aim to help more than 12,000 women escape systemic poverty and gender-based violence in Central Africa.

Rwanda: The World Bank’s Social Protection Transformation Project

In Rwanda, one significant initiative in combatting gender-based violence in Central Africa is the World Bank-funded Social Protection Transformation Project (SPTP), which integrates GBV prevention and response into its broader mission of economic empowerment.

This program provides financial assistance, vocational training, and social services to vulnerable populations, including survivors of GBV. Through this initiative, Rwanda has expanded safe spaces and counseling services, ensuring that survivors receive both economic and psychological support. The project also works closely with local NGOs and government agencies to enhance legal protections and improve access to justice for victims. By combining economic resilience with GBV prevention, this initiative reflects Rwanda’s commitment to breaking cycles of violence and fostering long-term recovery for survivors.

GBV in Central Africa: The Future

Reducing poverty is not only a strategy for economic development—it is a crucial step toward ending GBV in Africa. Aid aimed at reducing GBV in Central Africa is equipping women with the financial independence, legal protections, and social support needed to break free from cycles of abuse. These programs show that when the international community invests in women’s empowerment, it fosters safe, equitable societies. Continued support is essential to ensure lasting progress and to give more women the tools they need to build secure, self-sufficient futures.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Violence Against Rohingya Women

Violence Against Rohingya Women
In August 2017, more than half a million Rohingya living in the Rakhine state had to flee to Bangladesh and escape the military’s crackdown on the Muslim minority. As of 2020, approximately 900,000 Rohingya were living in southern Bangladesh in cramped refugee camps with overwhelmed resources. In addition to fearing widespread genocide and ethnic cleansing, some of the Rohingya refugee community also experience gender-based violence and assault. In fact, violence against Rohingya women is quite prevalent.

Sexual Violence Against Rohingya Women

Accusations emerged that the Myanmar military committed widespread rape against women and girls in the months following the initial purge of Rohingya from the Rakhine state as a means of intimidating the population and instigating fear. In an annual watch list of security forces and armed groups suspected of using rape and sexual violence in conflict, the U.N. listed Myanmar’s army in 2018. Responding to the aftermath of the August 2017 violence, Médecins Sans Frontières reported that at least 230 survivors of sexual violence in the camps, including up to 162 rape victims.

Violence from Both Sides

A recent New Humanitarian interview with six Rohingya women found that violence against Rohingya women is prevalent and stems from within the community. Women often experience persecution if they are outspoken about women’s rights or have an education. Women in the camps have reported experiencing harassment, kidnapping and attacks by groups with an affiliation to Rohingya militant groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Further, in 2019, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) launched an effort to empower women through self-organization and engagement in formal and informal decision-making and leadership positions. Now, however, Rohingya women who volunteer for NGOs have recounted how the “night government” or ARSA have threatened to abuse them and evict them from their house if they do not stop their work.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Further, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian groups including U.N. Women and UNCHR reported an increase in gender-based violence and child marriages. An International Rescue Committee (IRC) report from January 2021 found that reductions in protection staff led to a decrease in the Rohingya community’s trust of and communication with protection actors and “a vacuum in conflict, mediation and legal services.” In addition, the IRC found that the decision of the Bangladeshi government to suspend gender-based violence prevention programs such as Girl Shine, reduced the number of reports of instances in camps. EMAP and Start, Awareness, Support, Action (SASAI) impacted community awareness and reporting of cases significantly.

Double-Edged Sword

Highly dependent on community volunteers, aid groups are unsure of how to proceed; on the one hand, if aid groups continue to employ women volunteers, they risk endangering these women and making their situation worse. Indeed, in March 2021, days before International Women’s Day, U.N. Women canceled a billboard campaign that was to feature the faces of multiple women leaders as it feared it would cause unintentional harm. However, on the other hand, not employing women means a lack of empowerment and stable income.

In searching for solutions to the growing violence in the camps, many Rohingya have decided to relocate to Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Benegal but which is prone to natural weather disasters such as cyclones and storm surges. Since December 2020, 19,000 Rohingya have moved to ‘the floating jail’ as some groups call it. Another proposed solution would be to increase security in the camps, but aid workers fear notifying Bangladeshi authorities of the violence will tighten the already strict restrictions on the Rohingya and infringe on their limited freedoms.

Resilience

Despite such challenges and somewhat problematic solutions, Rohingya women continue to demonstrate resilience. One of the women the New Humanitarian interviewed who started receiving threatening voice messages after she called for women’s equality in an aid organization video, decided to push back and continue posting her video on social media. She claimed that “When someone is speaking courageously, they stop.”

– Annarosa Zampaglione
Photo: Flickr

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Helping Survivors of Sexual Assault in South Africa

Sexual Assault in South AfricaOver 50 care centers in South Africa provide support and resources for survivors of sexual crimes. They serve as “one-stop facilities” for those seeking help. Their mission is “to reduce secondary victimization, improve conviction rates and reduce the time between when a crime is committed and when the perpetrator is finally convicted.” These centers have had success but the overall number of sexual assaults in South Africa, which in reality are most likely significantly higher, are staggering.

Sexual Assault in South Africa

Sexual assault in South Africa is shockingly high. Estimates determined that a sexual offense occurs every 10 minutes. Between April 2019 and March 2020, police statistics reported 53,295 sexual offenses but it is likely that most crimes are not reported. The Medical Health Council estimates that victims only report one in nine attacks. Violence toward women seems to be a normalized part of society as data from 2000 shows similar results. Some claim women in South Africa might experience rape every 17 seconds. Others say every 26 seconds but regardless of exact numbers, it is clear sexual violence toward women is a massive problem for the country.

Police are defensive about sexual assault in South Africa. They say the rate of sexual offenses decreased in the province of Gauteng, but the Institute for Security Studies has pointed out a flaw in their logic. If one considers updated population statistics, the rate of sexual assault increases by 1.5%. As a result, one can determine that 127 people out of 100,000 people were victims of sexual assault.

Rape is an extremely underreported crime. A study in Gauteng in 2010 showed that one-quarter of women who underwent questioning experienced rape in 2009. However, “only one in 13 women raped by a non-partner reported the matter to the police, while only one in 25 of the women raped by their partners reported this to the police.” Therefore, as previously mentioned, statistics about sexual assault in South Africa only show a small amount.

Why Are Numbers So High?

A few factors can show why sexual assault in South Africa is so high. These include how the country struggled to move on from apartheid along with high unemployment, high poverty and unequal land distribution. Both the government and pro-democracy groups used violence to further goals, and after 50 years, society saw violence as normal. The government “used violence to keep control over the ‘non-white’ population, whilst the pro-democracy campaign encouraged violence as a means to further their goals.” The police used violence against women which led to many women fearing or mistrusting the police. This mindset continues to this day.

Police Conviction Records

Convictions for instances of sexual assault in South Africa are low. Around 14% of perpetrators receive sentences for sexual assault with that number going down to 3% when it is against adult women. Around one in 400 rapes in South Africa end in a conviction. Reports say some police take bribes so charges will go away and in Southern Johannesburg, around one in 20 pieces of evidence goes missing. The reasons why most women do not report sexual abuse are clear, as are the reasons why the real number is high. The chances of conviction are very low. While numbers and data often are skewed and naturally change over time, the overall amount of evidence suggests clear problems in the police force when it comes to responding to sexual assault.

Care Centers

Thuthuzela Care Centers have really helped people and since 2006, 51 centers have emerged. The centers are helping survivors and trying to improve conviction rates. Most are near or even attached to hospitals as sometimes medical assistance is necessary. For years, the centers made progress, and now, many centers get around 60-80 patients a month. During holidays, the number is up to around 100-120. The United Nations and the government are currently working to improve the centers even more.

Care centers operate using a five-step process:

  1. A survivor reports a rape case to a center or police station.
  2. The staff at the centers help the survivor obtain medical attention.
  3. The care centers organize counseling for the survivor.
  4. The staff at the centers help the survivor open a police case, which can occur at any time.
  5. The staff arranges ongoing counseling and court preparation for the survivor.

The care centers provide many services to help survivors. However, long-term solutions should also emerge so the actual root of the problem can reach a resolution. However, care centers are still a significant step in the right direction.

– Alex Alfano
Photo: Flickr

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One Shelter’s Fight To Protect Women’s Rights In Ecuador

Womens Rights in Ecuador
Through the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maria Amor Foundation, a nonprofit domestic violence shelter, has housed more than 80 women and 120 children as protection from the threat of domestic and sexual violence. The Borgen Project spoke with the director of the Maria Amor Foundation, Blanca Pacheco Lupercio, to learn more about the fight for women’s rights in Ecuador.

Violence Against Women in Ecuador

More than 40% of Ecuadorian women are victims of domestic and sexual violence and 70%  have experienced interpersonal violence in their lifetimes. Women’s rights in Ecuador were making steady progress until the COVID-19 pandemic when unemployment peaked in July 2020 at 16.8%. Despite the subsequent trend toward pre-pandemic rates and a new conservative president focused on economic prosperity, many women still lack the resources to leave violent situations in a nation where machismo, or traditional gender roles, are the status quo. “Violence is structural and systemic,” says Pacheco Lupercio. “We can’t say that all violence ends for women once they enter the shelter.”

The Maria Amor Foundation’s Services

The Maria Amor Foundation offers three major services to abuse victims: a 24-hour emergency hotline, two domestic violence shelters for women and children and a support program to help survivors create a new and independent life according to their dreams and aspirations.

The Foundation created its first domestic violence shelter in 2004 to provide women with a safe and resourceful space to stay. In 2005, the Foundation created a crisis hotline for victims and reprioritized community outreach to rural areas where victims may lack access to technology. By 2014, the Foundation had also opened an alternative shelter in the outskirts of the city to better serve rural women.

When someone calls the hotline, the Foundation interviews the caller and collects facts to identify a victim. After a risk assessment, the Foundation invites the individual to stay at the Casa Maria Amor, where the individual and their children receive psychological, emotional and medical assistance. The Foundation then provides victims with technical training to sustain an independent lifestyle once they leave the shelter. It offers entrepreneurial skills, legal advice and holistic skills like sewing.

Children exposed to violent situations can also be a casualty in the cycle of domestic and sexual violence. Pacheco says the Foundation’s aid programs for children are vital to those who may carry trauma. Child care services and Zoom learning classes for children help survivors build a new life.

How Victims of Violence Regain Independence

When victims leave the shelter, they receive social and legal support to help them form a plan to live independently and without fear of their abusers. The Foundation then connects them with other organizations and support groups like Mujeres Con Exito to assist them as they rediscover independence. “Our job is to… support these women so that one day they can leave independently,” says Pacheco.

More than 80 women stay in one of the Foundation’s shelters over the course of a year. Pacheco says approximately 15 women and their children live at the Casa Maria Amor for about five to six months at a time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, women are staying in shelters for longer. Pacheco says the pandemic worsened conditions on the ground. As healthcare facilities were overwhelmed and quarantine was underway, mothers struggled to care for and educate children during the workday.

Women’s rights in Ecuador experience violation at all social strata, so the Casa Maria Amor accepts survivors from every walk of life. Pachecho says that although survivors of greater means may have the ability to more easily create a new and independent life, the Casa Maria Amor will not turn away a person in need. In order to keep women out of violent situations, the nation needs to create concrete economic opportunities, Pacheco explains.

Poverty and Women’s Rights in Ecuador

Instilled gender roles and a meager education, particularly in rural regions, typically yield low employment prospects for women. Dr. Bernardo Vega, a professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the University of Cuenca, said in an interview with The Borgen Project that women in Ecuador tend to conform to the expectations of the rigid patriarchal system.

Rigid gender roles affect women in tangible ways such as increasing women’s likelihood of discontinuing their education. Vega says the average education for an Ecuadorian woman is approximately nine years. He says patriarchal gender roles expect women to forgo schooling and instead get married, have children and work in the home.

Vega says poverty, especially in rural areas, drives the inequality and marginalization of Ecuadorian women. He explains that poorly educated and poverty-stricken women tend to be economically dependent on their husbands. Therefore, they are more likely to suffer domestic and sexual violence. Vega says the social stigma women face for leaving their husbands also motivates them to stay silent in their suffering.

Early Pregnancy in Ecuador

Access to reproductive health and information is not equal across Ecuador. Only recently have educational institutions like high schools begun to provide sexual education. Vega says only 40% of adolescents have a general understanding of sexual and reproductive health and 80% of adolescents do not know where to access a sexual healthcare facility. Furthermore, only 5% of adolescents have ever visited healthcare facilities for information or treatment.

“Early pregnancy is like a door into poverty,” says Vega. “Violence and insecurity lead to poverty, like a circle.” According to Vega, Ecuador has the second-highest teenage pregnancy rate of all Latin American countries, trailing behind only Venezuela. He says that approximately 52,000 adolescents become pregnant each year in Ecuador, meaning that two out of 10 mothers are adolescents, a number that has risen in recent decades.

Political Involvement and Education Impacts Women’s Rights

While the push for women’s rights in Ecuador is a long way from guaranteeing egalitarianism, the feminist movement has galvanized women to empower themselves by entering the political sphere. Vega believes a new wave of women politicians can have tangible results in curbing inequity.

Furthermore, a push for educational programs in high schools, like the Plan Nacional de Salud Sexual y Salud Reproductiva, seeks to teach gender roles and sexual reproductive health in order to deconstruct conservative machismo and create a more egalitarian, educated population. This program received a renewal in 2017 and is continuing into 2021.

– Andre Silva
Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights in France: Activism and Efforts

Women’s rights in FranceWith the rise of women’s rights movements in recent years, French citizens have mobilized to address gender issues, especially the prevalence of femicide and domestic violence. France has made much progress in the realm of gender equality, including the establishment of policies and programs promoting women’s rights in France under the Macron administration. However, there is still much to be done to reach true equality and to end gender-based violence.

Violence Against Women

In France, femicides —  the killing of women by a relative or significant other — have been a significant reason for protest in recent years. La Fondation des Femmes, or the Women’s Foundation, is one protest group that has formed around the issue as it believes government efforts to curb the violence are not enough to keep citizens safe. In a recent article from the BBC, the Women’s Foundation criticized the lack of adequate gun policy as firearms are one of the most common weapons used in femicides.

Additionally, pandemic-induced lockdowns have forced many women to be confined in the same space as abusers, resulting in a 30% increase in domestic violence reports, according to France24. Due to its continued prevalence, gender violence is a central concern for activists advocating for women’s rights in France.

The #MeToo movement also gained traction in France in 2017 under the French name #BalanceTonPorc. Though there were no significant convictions or resignations of perpetrators of sexual violence at first, the rise in protests and social media movements greatly increased the visibility of victims in 2020.

Efforts to Combat Gender-Based Violence

President Emmanuel Macron’s emphasis on gender equality provided much hope for feminist voters during his 2017 presidential campaign. As part of his pledge to support women’s rights in France, Macron implemented protective policies for women and has established the position of Secretariat of Equality between Women and Men, a role currently held by Marlène Schiappa. Under Macron’s administration, France scored 75.1% in 2020 in terms of the Gender Equality Index, ranking third-best among all members of the EU.

In response to protests and the advocacy of groups such as the Women’s Foundation, the French government implemented several pieces of legislation addressing gender violence. According to the BBC, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe held a domestic violence conference in 2019, during which he pledged to increase the number of temporary shelters for victims, improve the procedures of domestic violence cases and contribute more than $6 million to the cause. French parliament added to these measures by approving a law permitting doctors to reveal the identity of a patient if domestic violence is putting the patient’s life at risk.

Women’s Rights Progress

There has been some improvement as between 2019 and 2020 the number of domestic murders of women decreased from 146 to 90, a historically low number that the government believes to be a result of the work of its policies and law enforcement.

Despite government efforts to decrease gender violence, many individuals are still concerned by the alarming numbers of femicides. Protest groups in France are creating street collages highlighting femicide and sexual harassment. Caroline De Haas, the founder of the feminist movement NousToutes, told the Guardian that “nearly 100 deaths is no reason to celebrate.”

There are several hopeful developments for gender equality in France. However, despite an explicit government commitment to equality, the government must take additional steps to conquer disparities in female employment and leadership, gender violence, harassment and wage gaps. The continued protests asserting an end to violence against women demonstrate the need for more policy and execution of legislation for women’s rights in France.

– Sarah Stolar
Photo: pixabay