August 01, 2009

Socio-economic inequality leads to gender-based violence

DHAKA: If violence is not natural, and not ingrained in our genetic makeup then the question is, what the root of violence is (violence, which is gender based). Gary Barker has done lot of research in this area and he has an answer. He is associated with International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) as Director, Gender, Violence and Rights. He strongly advocates for the engagement of men in ending gender-based violence.

"During sidelines of the consultation in Bangladesh, he answered volley of questions on this topic. He counted several social, cultural, economical, and political reasons for violence. He termed them structural influences of violence.

"Patriarchal legal structure has positioned women in lower social status," he starts with this opening line. "They (women) do not have property rights. They have lower income. Inequality in property and income give power to men. That power leads to subjugation and violence," Barker said. Interestingly, Barker points out, "income inequality not only persists within a household but there is class difference at social level too. Class and economic inequality put the same men in a violent situation outside home too. And Men have to understand this to prevent violence."

Globalization and economic liberalization, Gary says, is one of the emerging causes of violence. According to him, traditional form of production, profession and mechanism have been swept away by the new globalized economy. Situation is the same from farming to small-scale household industries."...

Read full story here from Afrique en ligne, courtesy of Pambazuka News