Name: Domestic Violence
Brand: Soroptimist International
SKU: 14347
Availability: InStock

Domestic Violence

1 in 3 women throughout the world (35%) will experience physical and/or sexual violence by their partner during their lifetime

In a Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, it was noted that with 90 countries now in lockdown, four billion people are now at home and although a protective measure for many, others find themselves in danger, as we see what might be deemed a “shadow pandemic growing, of violence against women”.

Where We Stand

“Soroptimist International is committed to end all forms of violence which affect women and girls disproportionately. Gender-based violence occurs in the family, in the general community, and through actions perpetrated or condoned by the State. Whatever form it takes, gender-based violence is deeply rooted in historical inequalities, power imbalances, and gender-based discrimination. Gender based violence is a violation of human rights and affects the ability of women and girls to reach their full potential and participate in society.”

Read the SI Position Statement

Domestic Violence and the SI Road to Equality Appeal

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer, and most commonly experienced by women. Abuse can also take the forms of physical assault, psychological abuse, social abuse, and financial abuse.

Since power balance in a family or intimate setting is one of the biggest causative factors of domestic violence across the world today, we as Soroptimists have realised that empowering women…economically, culturally, societally and otherwise, is crucial in tilting the scales in favour of women. Victims of domestic violence come from diverse backgrounds, and they are most often unable to seek help due to the lack of emotional and financial independence. Soroptimists seek to facilitate women to get out of such harmful situations by empowering them and capacitating their autonomy, so that it is easier for them to seek justice and to prevent the recurrence of such a damaging practice that is deeply and historically embedded in our society.

ABOVE: Watch a recent SI Voices Webinar on Domestic Violence, featuring Sarah Gallardo, Gigie Penalosa, and Patricia Vargas.

Domestic Violence