International Women’s Day is an opportunity to commemorate the struggles of women that have led to the vindication of their rights, recognize the obstacles they have had to overcome to occupy decision-making spaces and celebrate their leadership. They, we, have shown that violence is various and specific, such as sexual and reproductive violence in the context of armed conflicts and dictatorships.
Our continent and the world have witnessed long years of dictatorships and armed conflicts in many countries, which in some cases persist and continue to violate women’s rights, mainly our right to live free from all forms of violence. These are not isolated or extraordinary events, typical of these contexts, but rather the result of a continuous worsening of violence, based on sexist and patriarchal cultural patterns in which women continue to be perceived from a place of subordination and inferiority.
In times of armed conflict or dictatorship, there have been widespread or systematic practices of sexual violence based on discrimination against women, which may constitute crimes against humanity. This violence is characterized by its lack of visibility and is accompanied by additional factors of victimization, such as the stigma towards women survivors of sexual violence and the absence of a criminal justice system prepared to listen to these women and fully compensate them.
The macho and patriarchal culture, which generates stigma and fear, prevents surviving women from denouncing and at the same time questions them for not doing so. These are just some examples of manifestations of gender discrimination that justice and the entire state apparatus must take into account when adopting measures against impunity and the eradication of violence. For this, it is essential to observe the gender perspective in a transversal way in the processes of administration of justice.
There is a duty to act with due diligence, that is to investigate seriously, promptly and impartially, with a gender perspective to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women. In addition, to address the characteristics of each situation and consider the context in which these crimes occur. This is essential to unravel the structures that facilitated and continue to facilitate the violations of their human rights, and not only punish the immediate perpetrators.
The gender perspective must also be observed in reparations. This is necessary to guarantee survivors a comprehensive reparation that takes into account all the consequences of sexual violence, for example, the socioeconomic consequences when it results in pregnancy, the impact on their life project and the effects on personal integrity that they require. Comprehensive care for your physical and mental health.
Diligent investigation of sexual violence in these contexts must make its magnitude and systematicity visible, and expose the cultural patterns that originate it. It must be one of the starting points to guarantee access to justice and reparation, to promote sociocultural transformations that lead to democratic and egalitarian societies, with peace and without violence against women.
It is necessary to be clear that sexual violence against women is a heinous crime that, when committed in a systematic or generalized way in times of armed conflicts and dictatorships, constitutes a crime against humanity. Therefore, in the 21st century, if the States do not adopt measures to put an end to impunity, it will not be possible to prevent women from living a life free of violence in any context.
To begin this time of socio-cultural transformation, where the objective is to guarantee a life free of violence against women, it is essential to move towards representative and egalitarian democracies, in which the priority is the active participation of survivors and all women. .
Exclusive content for subscribers
read without limits
#Sexual #violence #women #conflicts #dictatorships #crime #humanity