Hi, my name is Zulema Martinez and today I am going to be advocating the global issue of stopping violence against women.
Gender-based violence refers to any harm committed against a person based on their gender. This includes physical, sexual, psychological abuse in the home, community, workplace, and schools. The causes and consequences of gender-based violence are poverty and gender inequality. Threats, harassment or actual violence in the household or community limits women and girl’s ability to access education, health, and participation in the political process. Women and girls are often targets of gender-based violence because of social norms and beliefs that they are second class status. One in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way, most often by someone she knows. Victims are left with long-term psychological and physical traumas.
On April 14, 2016, more than 270 girls in Nigeria were kidnapped and reportedly some girls have been sold for as little as $12. Recently, 21 girls were released as messengers to tell the Nigerian government that Boko Haram has more Chibok girls in captivity and are is ready to negotiate with the Nigerian government if they’re willing to meet with them. The girls were believed to have been taken as wives by the extremists and raped. They were also forced to carry out physically demanding tasks. And forced to convert from Christianity to Islam.
Child marriage has been happening throughout centuries and is still currently happening today. Each day nearly 39,000 girls under the age of 18 become child brides. Parents marry off their daughters very young in order to keep her dowry low and so they don’t have to support her. Child brides have a diminishing chance of completing their education. They are at high risk of being physically abused, contracting HIV and other diseases, and dying while pregnant or giving birth.
Rape has been used as a weapon of war. Women and girls are targeted by the use of sexual violence. to humiliate, dominate, instill fear, disperse or forcibly relocate members of a community. In some countries, 7 in 10 women are beaten, raped, abused, or mutilated. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is believed to have the highest rate of sexual violence in the world. South Sudan allowed its soldiers to rape civilians in the civil war, raping over 1,300 women. Between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. As social conflicts arise, rape continues to be used as a weapon.
Take action, speak out for women’s health, speak out to end child marriage. End violence against women now. Take action and sign the petitions located at care.org. Donate to help achieve change. Volunteer for CARE.
Zulemma- You had a really good topic. You included a lot of information and it was helpful. Also, your statistics also helped a lot to prove your credibility! Great presentation!
Hi Zulemma! I just wanted to tell you that you did so well on your presentation. I always talk about women and how they’re suppressed and abused. Knowing that someone else is also trying to stop all this violence against women made me so happy so thank you for that! Keep up the good work.
Hi Zulema! I really enjoyed your presentation. Not only was it informative, but the way you presented it was quite befitting. Instead of having a dramatic presenting voice, you had a calm and serious voice to set tone the gravity of your topic. Great work!