by Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer and Political Scientist)
According to the recently released United Nations Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific* 25% per cent of men in the Asia-Pacific region have admitted to committing rape against a woman at least once in their life whilst 50% admitted to inflicting violence. The study covered six countries namely: Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka with a total population of 1.8 billion people.
The UN headed study took place between 2010 and 2013. It relied on data collected from over 10,000 males and 3,000 females aged 18-49. Nearly 75% of those who had committed rape said they did so because they felt “sexually entitled” whilst more than half said they did it for “entertainment”. Of those males that admitted to rape only a small minority faced any legal ramifications.
The UN study confirms that despite the rhetoric of gender equality in many parts of the world violence against women continues to be perpetrated in alarming rates whilst the perpetrators are immune from any legal consequences. The study’s findings reaffirm that millions of women are violated and sexually assaulted as an expression of women’s subordination and inequality within a broader structure of human rights abuses.
A change in culture is required. The world cannot stand idle whilst such atrocities are committed on a daily basis. Gender equality and the rights of woman to a healthy, safe and free life are universal human rights that are not culture specific. The notion of cultural “values” being used by certain governmental regimes to excuse and maintain the flagrant violation of human rights is absurd and cannot be tolerated. Cultural practices of early, forced marriages of girls, female genital mutilation and the shaming and punishment of female victims of sexual abuse are not “cultural” rights.
Human dignity is a common entitlement applicable to all humans, irrespective of social status, gender, religion or country of origin. Changing cultures towards zero tolerance for violence against women signifies one of the most crucial challenges to the universal nature of human rights discourse and to the global implementation of rights.
Change is Possible. Let’s Help Make it Happen.
* For a copy of the UN Report please see below link:
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