...Gender and Transitional Justice An Assessment of the Contribution of Transitional Justice Mechanisms in Addressing Gender-Based Violence in post-Conflict Sierra Leone Introduction Sierra Leone, a relatively small country with a population of just over 6 million people, has been the focus of considerable attention due to the recent Ebola epidemic and, prior to that, the decade-long civil war (1991-2002) (Mills, Nesbitt-Ahmed, Diggins & Mackieu, 2015, p. 4). After the war, the transition from civil war to peace witnessed a number of landmark procedural innovations with widespread implications for gender justice. The decade-long conflict had shattered the West African country, displacing more than one million people and leaving more than two hundred thousand women and girls dealing with the aftermath of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Then, in 1999, the Lomé Peace Agreement traded amnesty for peace, making provision for the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone to work parallel to the Special Court of Sierra Leone (otherwise called the Special Court or the SCSL) in order to prosecute those who bore “the greatest responsibility” for mass atrocities committed during the civil war. While there is a growing consensus that truth and reconciliation commissions as a transitional justice mechanism can be effective tools “in the construction of a post-conflict society that is more democratic and more respectful of human rights” (Wielbelhans-Hrahm...
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...Introduction Gender-based violence is violence against women based on women’s subordinate status in society. It includes any act or threat by men or male dominated institutions that inflict physical, sexual, or psychological harm on a woman or girl because of their gender. In most cultures, traditional beliefs, norms and social institutions legitimize and therefore perpetuate violence against women. Gender-based violence includes physical, sexual and psychological violence such as domestic violence; sexual abuse, including rape and sexual abuse of children by family members; forced pregnancy; sexual slavery; traditional practices harmful to women, such as honor killings, burning or acid throwing, female genital mutilation, dowry-related violence; violence in armed conflict, such as murder and rape; and emotional abuse, such as coercion and abusive language. Trafficking of women and girls for prostitution, forced marriage, sexual harassment and intimidation at work are additional examples of violence against women. Gender violence occurs in both the ‘public’ and ‘private’ spheres. Such violence not only occurs in the family and in the general community, but is sometimes also perpetuated by the state through policies or the actions of agents of the state such as the police, military or immigration authorities. Gender-based violence happens in all societies, across all social classes, with women particularly at risk from men they know. (United Nations declaration...
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...Gover, Kaukinen & Fox (2008) conducted a study in 2008 that sampled 2,500 college students at two southeastern universities on exposure to violence from family of origin. According to the article, research on dating violence between teenagers suggest that females are more likely to be victimized by their dating partners. (Gover, Kaukinen & Fox, 2008, p.3) The authors think that the two main factors related to college dating violence are the exposure to violence during childhood and other risk factors for violence such as gender differences and social support in dating relationships. For example, the authors talk about how witnessing parental violence during your childhood can influence a violent dating relationship. (Gover, Kaukinen & Fox, 2008, p.5) Clearly, this research provides support to Catherine Kaukinen (2014) study and brings more insight on how social support and witnessing violence during childhood can contribute to dating violence among college students....
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...Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Alessandra Gonzalez Human Sexuality SOP2772 4/4/2016 Abstract Over the past couple of years gender equality and women empowerment awareness has caught the attention of many. Discrimination and violence towards women has slowly risen across different parts of the world. Throughout urban community’s women are married at an early age, are given the automatic task of being a housewife, and become pregnant fairly young. Throughout this whole process they must respect their husband or face the consequences of abuse. With nowhere to run these women have no choice but to stay in the hands of their abuser. Decision making is commonly known to be the cause of the domestic violence. New methods are being used as preventatives to these outcomes, while various movements are coming together to raise a higher awareness on women. Introduction The topic that I chose was gender equality and women empowerment. While going deeper into the different aspects of gender equality, specifically women, it slowly became jaw dropping. When asked to describe women empowerment people usually have the automatic response of “feminism” or a “feminist”. But what is the actual meaning of women empowerment? A topic such as domestic violence can slowly fall into the mix. Psychologically, women facing domestic violence can be traumatizing. In India, 40% of a representative sample of Indian women of reproductive age had experienced physical (35%), sexual (10%), or...
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...Violence from a gender view what role does masculinity play in Ethiopia context. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main concepts in feminist approach 3. Hegemonic masculinity theory 4. The subculture of violence in peace and conflict 5. The perception on gender versus sex in Ethiopia 6. Gendered dynamics of violence 6.1 Masculinities and violence 6.2 Femininities and violence 7. Conclusion 8. References 1. Introduction The paper critically evaluate the theory which claims that violence has a strong gender dimension and what role does masculinity play in violence. There are feminist theories and assumptions regarding the societal construction of gender, as it is divided into two major categories...
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...Gender Discrimination: Abstract: Gender discrimination is a non-tradition security threat to Pakistan and it has implications for Pakistan security. Pakistani women are more than half of the total population, but women are treated inhumanly within their homes by their husbands or dominant males through different ways like Domestic Violence, Sawara, Vani, Karo Kari, Honour Killing, Acid Throwing, Forced Marriages etc. Gender discrimination is also deeply rooted in Pakistani society in education and employment sectors. The security of a state like Pakistan is connected with the security of whole population and a country cannot be considered secure until its whole population feel secure. For the progress and prosperity of a country there is needed to eliminate the discriminatory attitude of the society towards the women. There are multiple ways to improve gender balance in the country which will reduce gender discrimination. Key Words: Gender Discrimination, Education Sector, Employment Sector, Gender and Human Security. I. Introduction This study discusses gender discrimination as „non-traditional security‟ threat to the country. It argues that women are more than half of the population and the security of women is associated with state security. This is so because no country can be secure until its whole population feels secure. Pakistan needs to empower its women for the progress and prosperity of a country. Balance has been maintained by...
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...HOW COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN TFD FOR GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CHALLENGES PATRIARCHY BY Agnes Nthenda UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI FACULTY OF HUMANITIES FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT- DRAMA SECTION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FUFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN HUMANITIES. 26 AUGUST 2013 ABSTRACT This dissertation explores the use of community participation in TfD for Gender based violence in challenging patriarchy. It discusses the idea of TfD and community participation in relation to patriarchy and gender. It also discusses the idea of community participation in relation to TfD, Patriarchy and participation in gender related projects. The analysis in this dissertation focuses on GEWE project which was carried out by CRECCOM as a form of TfD for gender based violence. I look at field work in research, i conduct the performance analysis of the TfD for gender based violence performance and i conduct the analysis for the whole case study, i provide evidence for gender based violence and patriarchal rule in the community and i analyse the involvement of both men and women in the performance and how this helps in challenging...
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...International Journal of Social Science Studies Vol. 2, No. 2; April 2014 ISSN 2324-8033 E-ISSN 2324-8041 Published by Redfame Publishing URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com Social Norms and Impediments of Women Development in Bangladesh Abul Kalam Lecturer in Sociology, Department of Economics, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT)Mirpur-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh Correspondence: Md. KALAM, 32-44 Steinway Astoria, NY11103, United States. Received: January 11, 2014 doi:10.11114/ijsss.v2i2.365 Accepted: February 17, 2014 Available online: March 3, 2014 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v2i2.365 Abstract This study focuses upon the contemporary process of Social Norms and Impediments of Women Development in Bangladesh. The development of women in organizations, Decision making, Political participation and gender mainstreaming is currently seen as the dominant conceptual model for promoting social justice and women equality. This study intends to see the position of women, discourses and various political, economic and social factors that surrounded these events. The impediments of women in Bangladesh were being pulled in different directions as a result, the context of social norms and gender inequality that existed at global, national, community and domestic levels. Child marriage is one of the main impediments of women empowerment and implementation of the government‟s vision-2021. In Bangladesh, the patriarchal capitalism puts women...
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... After conducting my analysis, there is a statistical significant between respondent sex and those who favor or oppose the death penalty for murder, which lead me to rejecting the null hypothesis. In the University of San Francisco Law School, a study was conducted by Professor Steven Shatz and Naomi Shatz. Their study suggested that gender bias is still present when it comes to decision making on the death penalty, these bias are seen from all way back to the chivalry roots. They looked at California’s murder cases, a total of 1,300 between 2003 and 2005. In the study the authors found out that gender- based influence was found in certain crimes, such as gang murders, rape, and domestic violence murders. They concluded that "The present study confirms what earlier studies have shown: that the death penalty is imposed on women relatively infrequently and that it is disproportionately imposed for the killing of women. Thus, the death penalty in California appears to be applied in accordance with stereotypes about women’s innate abilities, their roles in society, and their capacity for violence. Far from being gender neutral, the California death penalty seems to allow prejudices and stereotypes about violence and gender, chivalric values, to determine who lives and who dies" (Shat & Shatz 2011). The author also explains that “because women are stereotyped as weak, passive, and in need of male protection, prosecutors and juries seem reluctant to impose the death penalty...
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...sexuality recruitment and indoctrination about sexuality and gender. While social and psychological research wholeheartedly dismisses these claims, the voices that propagate them continue on without recognition of the broader aims and outcomes that the program legitimately addresses. The Safe Schools Coalition doesn’t only supports students who are diverse in gender identity or sexuality. It supports everyone within the school environment, including teachers, principals and straight/cisgender students. Specifically, the...
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...LAS Disposables Ciudad Juárez March 13, 2015 Femicide and Structural Violence against Women in By: Craig Serpa LAS DISPOSABLES PAGE 1 ! Introduction Much research has been produced attempting to describe and subvert femicide in Ciudad Juárez, but perhaps the most accurate description of the gendered violence can be found in an American political cartoon. A maquiladora, or Mexican border assembly/ processing plant, stands alone among rolling hills littered with gravestones in the shape of the symbol of Venus. The graves extend to the horizon line in all directions, seemingly endless. From the viewer’s position in the lower right corner of the cartoon they can discern details on the nearest grave: the top arch of the hand mirror reads “femicide”; it’s handle, “over 370 killed and counting”; a small altar of flowers, bread, and a prayer candle rest at its base. Caricatures of a police officer, politician, Uncle Sam, and cartel boss shift nervously in front of a mugshot height chart. They look at the viewer and the sky but never at the graves, symbolically refusing to acknowledge their role in the women’s murders. The intricate detail given to the usual suspects and graves overshadows the women themselves. The factory workers are only suggested by a female skeleton, her gender marked with long curly hair, hangs out of the window of a bus driving to the factory. She glances over her shoulder and makes uncomfortable eye contact with the viewer, her gaze asking how...
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...Domestic Violence: Factors Impacting Domestic Violence Outline I. Introduction Somewhere around the world at this very moment, an individual is being abused they will be left with bruises, cuts and scars. The scars are not always physical, but often ones of mental torture that will last a lifetime. Their abuser is not a stranger, but rather their husband, boyfriend, wife, girlfriend, mother or father. At the heart of a situation of domestic abuse is one person, most often a woman, who is paying a heavy personal, social, economic, and emotional cost. She may have children – or not. She may be married – or not. She may be young or old, rich or poor, a member of any class of society. For any individual who is in an abusive relationship, seeking to leave it, or trying to find the strength to rebuild their life after doing so, there is a necessity not only for practical support to enable them to access appropriate services, but also for emotional support to build up shattered confidence and self-esteem. a. Definition A form of behavior that is used to obtain control and power over an individual is known as Domestic violence. The perpetrator uses emotional and physical attacks, intimidation, and fear to gain control over their victim. Domestic violence affects individuals in a broad range of different backgrounds such as economic, racial, social, ethnic, and religious groups. There is no discrimination...
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...learners. It serves to instil knowledge and skills needed for them to contribute to their communities. However, within this positive image, it has become evident that schools are infiltrated by violence. Burton and Leoschut (2012) see violence as something which does not start in schools; or is initiated by learners only. It has come to attention that violence comes from teachers as well. In an attempt to understand the concept of violence it is essential to define it. World Health Organizations (WHO) (2002:5) defines violence as: The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, (against oneself), another person, or against a group or community,...
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...Road of Domestic Violence Karen L. Silverio PSY 325 Statistics for the Behavioral & Social Sciences Yashica Woods-Buchanan 1 December 2012 I chose to focus on the factors that impact domestic violence for my final paper because in my career, I have seen the rate of domestic violence increase. I have always known about it, but never really took the time out to actually research what the causes were. By choosing this topic, I hope that not only will I be able to educated myself a little more, but maybe help save someone’s life by helping them remove themselves out of a domestic violence situation. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Domestic violence is a type of abuse. Usually a spouse or partner is involved in causing injury to the other spouse or partner. However, domestic violence can also involve a parent, child or other family member. The single most influential factor of domestic violence in society is the continuation of a generational cycle of abuse and/or a history of abuse in the family of origin. It is also linked to a person who has poor self-esteem (Life challenges, 2002). Domestic violence, sometimes called battering, family violence, or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Domestic violence can include physical...
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...Intervening in a Violent Situation Regardless of Gender Identity of Victim Abstract The purpose of this study was to find out whether bystanders to a violent act would react similarly if the victim was a transgender individual versus a heterosexual female. There is little past research on this subject, but what has been done on violence within this community suggests that the violence against them is significant, increasing, and constitutes a serious public health problem in the U.S. (Witten & Eyler, 1997). We chose to analyze answers to questions on three separate vignettes, confidence in intervention choices (Chabot, Tracy, Manning & Poisson, 2009), gender transcendent scores (Baber, K., & Tucker, C. 2006), and transphobia (prejudice, discrimination, and gender-related violence due to negative attitudes toward transgender identity) scores. We sampled 112 students face to face from a small private liberal arts school. Our research showed no significant difference in intervention choices regardless of whether the victim was transgender. There was however a significant positive correlation with the gender transcendent score, verbal intervention, and indirect intervention (e.g. call police/911), but there was no significant correlation between the gender transcendent score and physical intervention. Because rates of violent attacks and hate crimes towards the transgender community are very high (Wilchins, Lombardi, Priesing, & Malouf, 1997) it is important...
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