empowerment of women dr ponga

8/8/2019 Empowerment of Women Dr Ponga

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EMPOWERMENT OFEMPOWERMENT OF

WOMENWOMEN

FOR ENDING VIOLENCEFOR ENDING VIOLENCE

AGAINSTAGAINSTWOMENWOMEN


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DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Any act of gender-based violence

that results in, or is likely to result in,

physical, sexual or psychologicalharm or suffering to women and girls,

including threats of such acts,

coercion or arbitrary deprivations ofliberty, whether occurring in public or

private life.


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Violence against women and girls in Africa

is on the increase.

More violent forms, such as

femicide, acid attacks, ritual rapes andmurders,

gang rapes, abductions, defilement andforced early marriages,

Military sexual slavery, rape as a weapon

of war, trafficking in women and girls andill-treatment of widows have become morewidespread.


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In spite of treaties, (the Protocol to the the

African Charter) conventions, legislation

and policies against some culturalpractices the situation of women in Africa

continue to be vulnerable to harmful

traditional practices and customs such as

FGM and widow inheritance, whichexpose them to the risk of HIV and AIDS


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there is a palpable feeling that legislationthere is a palpable feeling that legislation

alone is not enough to achieve equality inalone is not enough to achieve equality in

Africa, that it is not sufficient to changeAfrica, that it is not sufficient to changeperceptions, or cultures of sexismperceptions, or cultures of sexism thethe

types of cultures which are permissive totypes of cultures which are permissive to

gendered violence happening. Even withgendered violence happening. Even with

an increasing number of women inan increasing number of women inparliament in some of the countries andparliament in some of the countries and

increasing legislation to preventincreasing legislation to prevent

discrimination and violence on the basis ofdiscrimination and violence on the basis ofgender, a culture of masculinity prevails.gender, a culture of masculinity prevails.

Why is that?Why is that?

Unequal power relationships continueUnequal power relationships continue


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EMPOWERMENT OF WOMENEMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

TO END VAWTO END VAW-- WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

Obtaining data on violence against women use

these to show the economic and social cost of

VAW as well as emotional and psychological

impact on the affected person

It is important that the extent, nature and root

causes of such violence are well-documented.

By analysing such information, concrete steps

can be taken, both legal and charitable, to

reduce the occurrence of such violence and

reduce its effects.


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Increase access to opportunities for

women- empower women to avoid abusive

relationships - empower women, free themto leave behind abusive relationships

Build capabilities of women- including

physical capabilities/ create awareness/

prevention programmes/ crisis counselling

& support groups


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Make ending VAW every ones concern;

everyones business: The boys in your life

need your time and energy. Your son,

grandson, nephew, younger brother, your

male colleague. The boys you teach,

coach and mentor. All need you to help

them grow into healthy men.The girls in your life what are you teaching

them above all what do they see!


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THE UN has identified violence againstTHE UN has identified violence against

women and girls "the most pervasive"women and girls "the most pervasive"

human rights violation that we know today.human rights violation that we know today.Statistics from the world over, paint a clearStatistics from the world over, paint a clear

picture of the social and healthpicture of the social and health

consequences of violence against women.consequences of violence against women.

According to the United NationsAccording to the United Nations

Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM),Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM),

violence against women is a major causeviolence against women is a major cause

of death and disability for women aged 16of death and disability for women aged 16to 44 yearsto 44 years


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The economic costs are considerable.The economic costs are considerable.

Such violence impoverishes not onlySuch violence impoverishes not only

individuals, but families, communities, andindividuals, but families, communities, andgovernments, and stalls economicgovernments, and stalls economic

development of each nationdevelopment of each nation


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A POEM FOR YOURA POEM FOR YOUR

REFLECTION:REFLECTION:We had our first argument lastWe had our first argument last

night, and he said a lot of cruelnight, and he said a lot of cruel

things that really hurt me.things that really hurt me.

I know he is sorry and didnt meanI know he is sorry and didnt mean

the things he said, because hethe things he said, because hesent me FLOWERS TODAY.sent me FLOWERS TODAY.


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I got FLOWERS TODAY.I got FLOWERS TODAY. It wasntIt wasnt

our anniversary or any otherour anniversary or any other

special day.special day.

Last night he threw me into a wallLast night he threw me into a wall

and started to choke me.and started to choke me.It seemed like a nightmare, IIt seemed like a nightmare, I

couldnt believe it was real.couldnt believe it was real.


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I woke up this morning sore andI woke up this morning sore and

bruised all over.bruised all over.

I know he must be sorry becauseI know he must be sorry because

he sent me FLOWERS TODAY.he sent me FLOWERS TODAY.


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I GOT flowers today, and it wasntI GOT flowers today, and it wasnt

Mothers Day or any other specialMothers Day or any other special

day.day.

Last night, he beat me up again, itLast night, he beat me up again, it

was much worse than all thewas much worse than all theother timesother times


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If I leave him what will I do?If I leave him what will I do? How will IHow will I

take care of my kids?take care of my kids?

What about money?What about money? I am afraid of himI am afraid of himand scared to leave.and scared to leave.

But I know he must be sorry becauseBut I know he must be sorry because

he sent me FLOWERS TODAYhe sent me FLOWERS TODAYHowHowdo you help someone like this?do you help someone like this?


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How do you empower someoneHow do you empower someone

like this?like this?Paulo Freire speaks aboutPaulo Freire speaks about

conscientisation process:conscientisation process:

Identify the individualIdentify the individualEngage in dialogue/ ReflectionEngage in dialogue/ Reflection

Lead to ActionLead to Action

Is your Neighbour, your sister, your friendIs your Neighbour, your sister, your friendbeing abused? How do you engage tobeing abused? How do you engage to

facilitate empowerment?facilitate empowerment?


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empowerment of women dr ponga

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