Background Papers UN WOMEN

FACTS TO KNOW:

In the world there are many countries that do not respect women.
Women in other countries are not able to vote or making their own decisions.
Men are educated to use violence against women.
Afghanistan, Somalia and India are the three main countries that have the culture of mistreating women and believing men are more important than them.
More than 180 million women are mistreated every day in the world.
Women in Afghanistan need to work on housekeeping chores.
Girls in Somalia are not able to go to school at any point of their life, instead they force them to stay at home with their moms and do work at home.
In India men use violence on different ways such as: emotionally, economically, physical abuse, sexually, and others.
In many other countries men have the thought that they are better than women.

HISTORY OF THE TOPIC:

Men in many countries of the world mistreat women because of many facts, such as religion, mental problems, machismo, abuse of authority, addictions (alcohol and drugs), etc.

Our job in this committee is to fight for women to be respected by men. We need to see all the overview of the countries in the committee to get to one single agreement. We need every delegate in the committee to be focused on solving this big problem.

There are limited opportunities for women in sectors which traditionally demand for men to participate, such as armed forces. Although, women also have mostly off-front job opportunities within the army. There is specific research on gender discrimination mostly in favor of men over women. Due to a lack of objective research on gender discrimination against men, it is perceived that it is only women who are suffering. The research often conducted is selectively sampled, where men are left out of the picture. Women are perceived to be disadvantaged at work, and conclusions are drawn that their capabilities are often underestimated.

Many may think that women’s rights are only an issue in countries where religion is law, such as many Muslim countries. Or even worse, some may think this is no longer an issue at all.

OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTRIES:

India:

In India, discriminatory attitudes towards men and women have existed for generations and affect the lives of both genders. Although the constitution of India has granted men and women equal rights, gender disparity still remains.

Afghanistan:

There have been endeavors to heighten the position of women within Afghan society; however, there are serious concerns still intact in this regard. Though improvements have been observed, the basic factors that are responsible for the discrimination of women have not been uprooted considerably. Strict tribal norms and values with great gender bias, religious extremism and weak law and order situation have been violating the rights of the women to a great extent. It is really unfortunate to note that discrimination against women is not just related to the violation of rights rather it has now turned into merciless violence against them.

Colombia:

Millions of people throughout the world live with attacks against their fundamental human rights for no other reason than that they are women.

In armed conflicts raging around the globe, soldiers and paramilitaries terrorize women with rape, sexual and other physical violence, and harassment. These tactics are tools of war, instruments of terror designed to hurt and punish women, wrench communities apart, and force women and girls to flee their homes.

Mexico:

Women in Mexico do not suffer discrimination at all. They all have right to work, study, have a family, etc. but they do suffer of machismo.

USA:

In USA women do have rights; in case of Muslim women in USA they do suffer discrimination because of the religion since September 11, 2001. But American Native Women do not suffer discrimination; they do have rights to work, study, get married and have a family.

Saudi Arabia:

Human rights in Saudi Arabia are intended to be based on Islamic religious laws under rule of the Saudi royal family. The government of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi legal system, has been criticized for its treatment of religious and political minorities, homosexuals, apostates, and women.

Iran:

Under Iranian law, a woman is considered the half of a man. Women are not equal to men. They are fighting for equality. They have been organizing for years to secure civic rights, such as for divorce, in the workplace, custody of their children and the right to travel. As it is today, they can benefit from these rights only under the authority of a man in their family, such as their father or husband.

The government system in Iran does not recognize any movement in which women are in the forefront. The fight for rights has come at a high cost.

QUESTIONS FOR THE DELEGATE:

What is the current situation in your country about the topic?
Is your country doing something about this topic?
Which is the main women discrimination issue currently affecting your country?
How many people have died because of violence in your country?
Is other country supporting your country or vice versa?
Is your country economically stable to support other countries with this problem?
What is the percentage of women in your country that suffer of violence?
In your country men practice the machismo?
What are your solutions about this topic?
What would you tell the other countries that mistreat women?

Bibliography:

Topic A:

The role of men and boys in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Topic B:

Violence against women.

Facts to know:

· Violence against women - particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women - are major public health problems and violations of women's human rights.

· Recent global prevalence figures indicate that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either intimate sexual partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

· On average, 30% of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by their partner.

· Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.

· Violence can result in physical, mental, sexual, reproductive health and other health problems, and may increase vulnerability to HIV.

· Risk factors for being a perpetrator include low education, exposure to child mistreatment or witnessing violence in the family, harmful use of alcohol, attitudes accepting of violence and gender inequality.

· Risk factors for being a victim of intimate partner and sexual violence include low education, witnessing violence between parents, exposure to abuse during childhood and attitudes accepting violence and gender inequality.

· In high-income settings, school-based programs to prevent relationship violence among young people (or dating violence) are supported by some evidence of effectiveness.

· In low-income settings, other primary prevention strategies, such as microfinance combined with gender equality training and community-based initiatives that address gender inequality and communication and relationship skills, hold promise.

· Situations of conflict, post conflict and displacement may increase existing violence and present new forms of violence against women.

History of the topic

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, oppresion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.

Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object.

Violence and abuse affect women from all kinds of backgrounds every day. Sometimes, women are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them. Violence and abuse can cause terrible physical and emotional pain.

Despite the significant progress made in reducing violence against women, there is still a long way to go. Young women still face the highest rates of dating violence and sexual assault. In the last year, one in 10 teens have reported being physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend. One in five young women have been sexually assaulted while they’re in college.

In response to these alarming statistics, Vice President Biden is focusing his longstanding commitment to reducing violence against women specifically on teens and young women ages 16-24. By targeting the importance of changing attitudes that lead to violence and educating the public on the realities of abuse, the Vice President is leading the way in an effort to stop violence against women before it begins.

consecuences

· Violence against women can have fatal results like homicide or suicide.

· It can lead to injuries, with 42% of women who experience intimate partner reporting an injury as a consequences of this violence.

· Intimate partner violence and sexual violence can lead to unintended pregnancies, induced abortions, gynaecological problems, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The 2013 analysis found that women who had been physically or sexually abused were 1.5 times more likely to have a sexually transmitted infection and, in some regions, HIV, compared to women who have not experienced partner violence. They are also twice as likely to have an abortion.

· Intimate partner violence in pregnancy also increases the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and low birth weight babies.

· These forms of violence can lead to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep difficulties, eating disorders, emotional distress and suicide attempts. The same study found that women who have experienced intimate partner violence were almost twice as likely to experience depression and problem drinking. The rate was even higher for women who had experienced non partner sexual violence.

· Health effects can also include headaches, back pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, limited mobility and poor overall health.

· Sexual violence, particularly during childhood, can lead to increased smoking, drug and alcohol misuse, and risky sexual behaviours in later life. It is also associated with perpetration of violence (for males) and being a victim of violence (for females).

Overview of the Countries

Syria

The art. CP 548 indicates that : 1.He who catches his wife, or one of his ascendants, descendants or sister committing adultery (flagrante delicto) or illegitimate sex acts with another and he kills or injures one of both of them benefits from an exemption of penalty.

Whoever finds his wife or one of his relatives, women or sister state "suspect" with another will benefit from a reduction of penalty.

These killings are based on the belief that women are the property of his family. If the virtue of women questioned for any reason whatsoever or refuses to obey the husband , father or brother, it is believed that the honor of the family is disgraced and the woman must be killed by a man of his family to restore the good reputation of the family to the community

Thailand

Perhaps this is the most representative Asian country of slavery and women have to endure , especially girls , since they are sold by their families to the wealthy , which enjoy the same property , so they can be forced to do all sorts of humiliating to man . Suffice it to recall the sex trade exists in this area and demand the west. Sex tourism, offered by Western travel agencies offering the services of women and children to choose destination.

China

The one-child law forcing families to leave the girls, because they bring no benefit to the family . Rather they are a nuisance from the time that must be fed and eventually leave the family home to join her husband. However, the Chinese government has refused to acknowledge the situation of Chinese girls in orphanages and closed the possibility that the same be adopted by Western families

Peru

The art. CP 175 states: Whoever by deception , practice sexual act or any similar , with a person between 14 and 18 years shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or community service for thirty to seventy-eight days .And Art. 178 provide that: In the case of Article 175, the agent shall be exempt from punishment if he marries the victim if she gives her consent, in accordance with law.

Uruguay

The art. CP 116 includes crime Extinction by marriage, noting in this regard that : The marriage of the offender with the victim extinguishes the criminal prosecution or punishment , if any , in the case of offenses of rape , indecent assault , rape or abduction .

India

Fenal Code: Section 375, states an exception [ to the definition of rape in Section 375 ] by which states: Sexual intercourse between a man and his wife , not being under sixteen it is not considered rape .

Iran

Article 75 states that: If adultery is punishable only by flogging it can be checked with the testimony of two just men and four just women.

Article 76 states that the testimony of women alone or in conjunction with the testimony of a righteous man is not enough to prove adultery and constitute false accusation which is punishable.

Article 100. The flogging of an adulterer is executed while he is standing upright and his body naked except for his genitals. The lashes shall in all parts of your body - less in your face, head and genitals - with full force. The adulteress shall be flogged while sitting and tightly wrapped in her dress.

Article 102. The stoning of an adulterer or adulteress shall be carried out while each is covered with soil, he up to his waist and she up to a line above her breasts. [Under Islamic law, if a person manages to escape while stoned, that person will be free. The man is easier to escape only because it is buried to the waist].

As we can see, lrani Law punishes adultery both the man and the woman, but the word of a man, as accuser of adultery, is worth more than that of a woman, from the time of women need more witnesses to testify as to the guilt of the adulterer or adulteress than men. Moreover, the punishment of the adulterer , though hard , is less cruel than that of women, since it has the chance to escape being buried only up to the waist, while the woman he is up to his chest and, Moreover, the immobilization of the woman while the flagella is total, while men suffer no such situation.

Mexico

The Mexican authorities have failed to protect women from increasing levels of violence and discrimination or to ensure those responsible face justice, said Amnesty International in a report handed to a UN body due to examine the state of women’s rights in Mexico.

United States of America

In 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an intimate partner. That's an average of three women every day. Of all the women murdered in the U.S., about one-third were killed by an intimate partner.

France

it was pointed out that despite France’s strict legislation concerning the elimination of violence on women and to promote the equality of women, violence and discrimination against women were still widespread in this country.

Brazil

In Brazil, domestic violence ,also commonly referred to as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV) - is widespread and constitutes one of the more prevalent forms of violence against women

Colombia

Up to 60 % of women around the world experience some form of physical or sexual abuse during their life. In Colombia, the MDG-F's work to change policies, laws and public attitudes towards gender-based violence has helped lower rates of female homicides and sexual and domestic abuse.

Questions of the delegate: