Violence Against Women: Around the World

Across the globe, violence against women is prevalent and appears to be such a norm in different countries that women who are victims of abuse don't even recognize that it's wrong. There has been little done in the past to change these societal norms, however more and more organizations and groups have come together to advocate for women and children. It is important to note that not only is there violence against women and girls in the United States, but also across the world. Violence shows no discrimination and is a world wide epidemic.

In places like Uganda, their justice system in norther Uganda ignores, denies, and tacitly condones violence against women and girls and protects suspected perpetrators. There are traditional gender expectations that makes it hard for women to think that what is happening to them is wrong since both men and women believe that the husband has the right to beat and rape his wife.

In India, there exists the practice of giving dowries* . According to Gosselin, more than 6,000 women are killed each year because their in-laws consider their dowries inadequate. Bride burning** is an example of dowry death that is practiced.
*payment of money or articles during, before, or after marriage by the girl's parent to her in-laws (Gosselin, 2010)
**a man, or his family, douses his wife in kerosene, gasoline, or other flammable liquid, and sets the woman on fire, leading to her death (Gosselin, 2010).

Female Genital Mutilation 


- Cultural practice, not religious- although some have adopted it into their religion, that started in Africa
- refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs (Gosselin, 2010).
- Between 100 and 140 million girls and women in the world are estimated to have undergone such procedures, and 30 million girls are estimated to be at risk every year (INIFEM, 2008).
- FGM interferes with normal functioning of the body and causes several immediate and long-term health consequences.
- it is seen as a "right of passage" or new coming-of-age ceremony

      - With an end in sight is a Kenyan group developed to create alternative rites of passage to discourage FGM. For example, focusing on self-esteem, health, and women's empowerment.