Despite reports that the world is as peaceful as it's ever been, this is certainly not true for most women around the globe.
When looking at the female half of the global population, a depressing and bleak picture presents itself. According to the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces, the world is still very violent, and not just during times of war. Men still fight (and die in) wars but according to the Centre's new report "Women in an Insecure World", women and girls are subject to a 'hidden gendercide'. The report refers to everything from infanticide to rape, dowry related deaths, sex trafficking, rape and domestic violence.
The Centre estimates that up to 200 million women are demographically "missing", as a result of abortion and infanticide of girls; lack of food and medical attention; honour-killings and dowry deaths; and domestic violence in general. This is equivalent to 1.5-3 m women and girls perishing a year. In fact, females between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to be killed by men than through cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or general warfare.
So, no, the world is not a peaceful place, not even for women in the Western world, though it's obviously far more dangerous to have had to misfortune (from this perspective) of being born in Africa or Asia.
You're absolutely right. I'm not going to tell you what I see here at work. But what I can tell you is that a huge amount of humanitarian aid money ends up being used for medical care, shelter, nutrition, and water and sanitation for women and children.
ReplyDeleteThere are people who argue that this frees up funding for despots to spend on arms. My guess is that they'd spend it on arms anyway.
UPDATE: Research also shows that India along has lost 10m female births due to abortion and sex selection over a 20-year period.
ReplyDeleteSee http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4592890.stm
i wouldnt be suprised if
ReplyDeletemen in the age 15 - 44 are more likely to DIE than women in the same range.
Certain cultures in Malaysia are still favouring the male sex. The chinese are especially. A son is not just an heir, but someone whom the family name can be passed on to the next generation. In the Indian culture, sons are once again favoured. The simple reason being, if you become a widow and you do not have a son, then you do not have a "voice" Having many daughters in these two cultures is still seem as a failure on the part of the couple..to live up to social norms. Thankfully, as we become a more educated society, this sentiment isn't half as obvious a it once was.
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