1. Read and listen to the following 2018 Nobel prize speech by Nadia Murad (Thanks to Barakat, a student from last year, for this suggestion):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqB0cMvGnIk
If you can, read more about the history of the Yazidi people, their opposition to killing and advocacy for peace, and their oppression and genocide by several groups, and the enslavement of Yazidi women and children. Consider what she is saying about how the world stood by while her people were murdered and women and children subjected to sexual slavery. Consider her proposal: That the UN would prevent the genocide, liberate women and girls who were being held captive, offer special protections to survivors and outlaw terrorism in Iraq and other countries.
She says she hears the cries of other women
and children who still are being subjected to sexual violence and the world should
stop this. Choose efforts that are being made by global social workers and their partners to stop violence against women, in your country, another country, or several countries (international efforts). Answer a and b below.
a. Describe who is carrying out those efforts and their central activities.
b. What principles and concepts of global social work based on a human rights and peace-building approach are actualized by that program?
It's incredible how some people like Nadia stands for human rights and for everyone's rights. Also for me it's so sad and heart touching what she was going threw. She must have a lot courage to do something and to stand for human's rights, because she and her family also was victims of genocide witch is verry horrible and just verry bad. I want to say what WHO says, because they stand for human rights and more so human health and medicine priorities for everyone in the world. They say: "Reduce morbidity and mortality, especially among the poor and vulnerable";
ReplyDelete- Tackling the main risk factors for disease;
- Strengthen health systems;
- Make health promotion a key development objective for countries. (World Health Organization, 2021).
I want to comment more about what Nadia said about women, because even in these days we stuggle with discrimination also, because sometimes it happens that people was discriminated where happens war and some other issues where was living Nadia. How suppose to react Nadia where her family was killed and murdered? It's terrible..
Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights.
Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. (World Health Organization, 2021).
References:
1. Pasaulio Sveikatos Organizacija. (2021). Prieiga per internetą: https://vaspvt.gov.lt/node/331
2. World Health Organization. (2021). Violence against women. Internet access: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
a. One international organization that is supported and managed by global social workers to help stop and prevent gender-based violence is called CARE. CARE’s mission focuses on global peace, with an emphasis on combating gender-based violence. Specifically, CARE believes, “every person has the right to a life free from violence. We put gender equality and the safety and dignity of women and girls at the center of what we do. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global problem of epidemic proportions that demands committed action and sustained resources” (CARE). CARE fights gender-based violence from many angles, including addressing the root causes and supporting survivors of gender-based violence (CARE). One of CARE’s main goals is for 50 million people of all genders to experience greater gender equality by 2030–including eliminating gender-based violence and increasing the voices, leadership, and education of women (CARE).
ReplyDeleteb. CARE reflects many of the principles and concepts of global social work based on a human rights and peace-building approach. For example, CARE facilitates the healing of social trauma, specifically from gender-based violence, advances social justice within and between countries, fosters cross-cultural and transnational cooperation, and advocates for individual and community human rights.
CARE facilitates the healing of social trauma, especially within the context of gender-based violence, in many ways. For example, in response to gender-based violence, CARE provides direct services to survivors, utilizing the support of people within the survivor’s own community. In order to facilitate the healing of social trauma, community members must contribute to the realization of human rights. This role of local community members is emphasized by Dibbets and Eijkman in their article, Translators, Advocates or Practitioners? Social Workers and Human Rights Localization, when they say, “Journalists, teachers, civil servants and law enforcement officials are all considered to have a role in human rights realization because their work is tied to the rights of individuals” (Dibbets and Eijkman, 213). Aside from utilizing the support of local community members, CARE provides first-line support, such as empathetic counseling, safety planning, and referrals (CARE). This initial support helps to mitigate the effects of gender-based trauma, therefore lessening overall social trauma.
Overall, CARE is an effective international organization that holistically combats gender-based violence and other social injustices.
References
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018). Translators, advocates or practitioners? Social workers and human rights localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212-228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huy018
Ewalt, P. L., & Mokuau, N. (1995). Self-determination from a Pacific perspective. Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/40.2.168
Gender-based violence and violence against women. (2022, July 19). CARE. https://www.care.org/our-work/health/fighting-gender-based-violence/
Hugman, R., Moosa-Mitha, M., & Moyo, O. (2010). Towards a borderless social work: Reconsidering notions of international social work. International Social Work, 53(5), 629-643. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872810371203
Hi Sarah, I think It is very interesting that you have decided to talk about CARE's work. I personally was unaware of the existence of this internacional organization and thanks to you I have discovered the wonderful activity they are doing to protect women from gender violence. As social workers It is very important to cointinue educating ourselves on issues as important as this, becauae the more knowledge we have the more we can help society to grow and develop in a better and healthier way for everybody and in the path of respecting every human being rights. Thank you for your input, It has been very useful to me :)
DeleteHi Guoda! I agree with your position. I agree with your thoughts about Nadia Murad’s speech. I think it was very powerful and brave for her to stand up for women. By rising against ISIS, Murad is endangering her own life to fight for the rights of her community and all women. If Murad is willing to endanger her own life and safety, the United Nations have a responsibility to fight with her for the rights of all people. I also agree with your thoughts about how the field of social work can help fight terrorism and genocide. It was interesting to hear how Lithuanian social workers respond and prevent violence against women. Lastly, I agree with your position that global organizations such as the United Nations, the WHO, and others must do more to combat gender-based violence. Overall, I think your response was very thoughtful, and I agree with everything you said.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletea. UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict is an international effort to prevent sexual violence in conflict. It is made up of several UN agencies such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, and WHO. (United Nations, n.d.) All of these agencies have come together to push collective action and engage in activities that would lead to the eradication of sexual violence in conflict. Their main activities consist of the following:
ReplyDeleteProviding protection and prevention through comprehensive and multisectoral assistance, including medical, psychosocial, safety/security, livelihoods and justice services;
Strengthening the capacity of duty-bearers and decision-makers by increasing joint and sustained advocacy as well as strengthening the technical expertise of institutional, operational, and national actors;
Guiding the implementation of the conflict-related sexual violence agenda in conflict prevention/resolution peacekeeping, peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development process by developing guidance, policies, and tools to fill gaps in knowledge, practices, and advocacy and technical expertise;
Increasing the availability of reliably, timely and objective information on conflict-related sexual violence trends, risks, and patterns;
Improving UN coordination and the system-wide response and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. (United Nations, n.d.)
b. According to Grodofsky, a key to international peacebuilding and positive peace is that basic human needs must be addressed in order to ensure opportunities for human development and growth. (Grodofsky, 2008) UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict is concerned with addressing the basic human needs of autonomy and safety from sexual violence. They do so through the activities previously addressed that are focused on making lasting institutional and social change to prevent young women from being threatened by sexual violence in times of conflict. Their approach is also very 'strategic' which is something that Doyle and Sambanis state is important to the theoretical and practical approaches to peacebuilding. (Doyle and Sambanis, 2000) The approach of the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict is strategic as it aims to penetrate the systemic, social and cultural aspects that are contributing to the ongoing sexual violence. The strategies that they have developed are equipped for an international approach that is dealing with many complex social and cultural systems.
References
1.United Nations. (n.d.). UN action against sexual violence in conflict. United Nations. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/about-us/un-action/
2.Doyle, M. W., & Sambanis, N. (2000). International peacebuilding: A theoretical and quantitative analysis. American political science review, 94(4), 779-801.
3. Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the middle east. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1-2), 45-65.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI live in Norway and Norway has been a leader in efforts to address violence against women both domestically and globally. The Norwegian government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society groups have all played important roles in these efforts.
ReplyDeleteA. Domestically, the Norwegian government has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to prevent violence against women and support survivors. These include:
The Violence Against Women Act and National Action Plan on Domestic Violence. These legislation, passed in 2014, provides a comprehensive legal framework for preventing and responding to violence against women it outlines specific measures to prevent domestic violence, improve the response to survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. Also Norway provides funding for NGOs.
Globally, Norway has been a leader in efforts to address violence against women through its foreign aid programs and diplomatic efforts. Some of the key initiatives and actors include: The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad); The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation; The Oslo Conference; The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders;
B. The Norwegian government's program to address violence against women domestically and globally is grounded in principles and concepts of global social work based on a human rights and peace-building approach. The following are some of the key principles and concepts to specific initiatives and policies that illustrate their implementation: Human Rights: The Norwegian government's approach to preventing violence against women is grounded in the principle of human rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals and their right to live free from violence and discrimination.
Gender Equality: Norway's efforts to prevent violence against women are based on the principle of gender equality, which recognizes the need to address the underlying social, economic, and political inequalities that contribute to gender-based violence.
Empowerment: Norway's approach to preventing violence against women emphasizes the importance of empowering women and girls to assert their rights, participate in decision-making processes, and take action to prevent violence
Peace-building: Norway's efforts to address violence against women globally are guided by a peace-building approach, which recognizes the importance of addressing the root causes of violence, building inclusive and peaceful societies, and promoting women's participation in peace processes.
Collaboration and partnerships: Norway's approach to addressing violence against women involves collaboration and partnerships with NGOs, civil society groups, and international organizations, recognizing that addressing violence against women requires a collective effort.
References:
1. Global Network of Women Peacebuilders' website: https://gnwp.org/
2. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation's website: https://www.kvinnatillkvinna.org/
3. Norad's Gender Equality and Women's Rights website: https://norad.no/en/front/gender-equality-and-womens-rights/
4. Norway's Ministry of Justice and Public Security website: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/law-crime-and-justice/violence-against-women-and-children/id2618749/
5. The Oslo Conference's website: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/foreign-affairs/oslo_conference_about_sexual_violence/id732208/
A.
ReplyDeleteThe immigration crisis at the US-Mexico border and other international borders has left many women and children vulnerable to abuse, rape, and kidnapping. These women and their children often escape violence only to be met with other forms of exploitation and violence. During Spring Break, I met with several of these organizations at the Tijuana/ San Diego border. One of these organizations is Instituto Madre Asunta A.C. This organization operates in Tijuana. It was developed to help support migrant women and their children by providing them with welfare and care programs such as housing, food, daycare, and legal advice. The organization realizes that if women have access to these fundamental rights, it will be difficult for them to fall into the hands of coyotes. Human trafficking is another form of modern slavery. “The inequalities women face in status and opportunity worldwide make women particularly vulnerable to trafficking” (ACLU, 2023), especially as migrants in a foreign country.
B.
Instituto Madre Asunta A.C.’s mission is to provide comprehensive care for migrant and refugee women to empower them to live better lives in Tijuana. Their mission and vision perfectly align with social work centered around human rights and peacebuilding. Dibbets and Eijkman state that social workers interpret human rights by advocating for their client’s human rights. “Social workers can broaden the human rights discourse by including often forgotten voices” (Dibbets & Eijkman, 2018. p. 217). Not only is Instituto Madre Asunta A.C welcoming and providing support for migrant and refugee women, but they are bringing attention to the horrible conditions these women face during their journey. Women have been left out of the migration conversation in the past decades. Transition houses for migrants were developed for male-identifying individuals, which meant women had fewer options, leaving them vulnerable to violence. The organization also participates in case-based advocacy, as mentioned by Dibbets & Eijkman. “Case-based advocacy at the individual level involves empowering clients by assisting them to claim their rights” (Dibbets & Eijkman, 2018. p. 217). Instituto Madre Asunta A.C. works with other organizations locally and internationally to strengthen women’s capacities and possibilities, thus, connecting them to legal resources to help them understand their options as migrants attempting to cross into the US and survivors of abuse, exploitation, and violence.
References:
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018). Translators, advocates or practitioners? Social Workers and human rights localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212–228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huy018
Inicio. Ir a la página de inicio del sitio. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from http://institutomadreasunta.com.mx/inicio
Thank you for your response on efforts to address the vulnerability of women and children at the US-Mexico border. Your analysis of how the organization's mission aligns with social work principles of human rights and peacebuilding is insightful. Social workers are advocates for their clients' human rights, and they broaden the human rights discourse by amplifying the voices of marginalized groups. Instituto Madre Asunta A.C is fulfilling this role by welcoming and providing support for migrant and refugee women and bringing attention to the inhumane conditions they face during their journey. The organization is also participating in case-based advocacy at the individual level by empowering clients to claim their rights and connecting them to legal resources.
DeleteFurthermore, the organization's focus on strengthening women's capacities and possibilities is consistent with a human rights-based approach to social work. Social workers adopting this approach view their clients as active agents who can determine their own needs and solutions. By connecting women to legal resources and empowering them to claim their rights, Instituto Madre Asunta A.C is supporting women's agency and autonomy, which is a fundamental aspect of human rights and peacebuilding.
Overall, your response highlights an organization's efforts to address the vulnerability of women and children at the US-Mexico border and how their activities align with social work principles of human rights and peacebuilding.
Hi Zaynab,
DeleteI agree with your observation that it is very important to provide assistance to refugee women and children. It is particularly important to ensure their safety and the provision of their basic needs. It is also about empowering and providing opportunities for education, work and well-being, so that these women do not suffer from human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
A. In Spain, the main efforts to eradicate violence against women are carried out mainly by the Government Delegation against Gender Violence. This delegation is responsible for proposing the Government's policy against the different forms of gender violence and promoting, coordinating and advising all the measures carried out in this area.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, one of its functions is to participate and maintain relations in the international arena. In this regard, it should be noted that in March 2014 the results of a European survey carried out by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on violence against women were made public, according to which Spain stands out in neighboring countries in relation to Agreement on awareness campaigns on gender violence and awareness of victim care services, as well as awareness on gender violence.
Among the activities carried out by this Government Delegation we find seminars and conferences such as the 57th Session of the legal and social commission for women, the European Conference on Good Practices to eradicate gender violence and the III International Conference on female genital mutilation.
Also, the Spanish Judiciary has developed the Observatory against Domestic and Gender Violence, which since 2002 has the purpose of addressing the treatment of this type of violence from the Judicial Administration. It is an instrument of analysis and action that, from the judicial sphere, promotes initiatives and measures aimed at eradicating the social problem of domestic violence. The objectives pursued by the observatory are the following:
- Collects and analyzes the data obtained from judicial statistics, such as the number of complaints, protection orders, sentences, victims, etc.
- Promotes analysis, studies and research on the judicial response.
- It draws up conclusions and recommendations on the evolution of gender violence.
- It grants annual recognition prizes to the person, institution or association that has most stood out in the eradication of domestic and gender violence.
Finally, one of the main partners of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) in the fight to eradicate gender violence is UN Women, the United Nations organization dedicated to promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
Spanish Cooperation, through the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID), has been supporting various actions in recent years to prevent and promote comprehensive care for women and girls victims of gender violence in coordination with international organizations, institutions and equality mechanisms of the partner countries, as well as with women's organizations, feminist collectives and civil society in general. Examples of actions of the Spanish Cooperation in favor of the eradication of violence are the Virtual Knowledge Center to eliminate violence against women and girls; a unique global knowledge initiative that helps design programs against gender violence by offering resources on health, working with the police or monitoring and evaluation, among others.
Spain also works to support assistance to women and girls affected by the conflict and the participation of women in the process of consolidating peace in Mali; an initiative that is starting now and that will favor the participation of women in conflict resolution and return to peace, access to information and care services for the effects of gender-based violence, psychosocial and economic assistance to displaced women and girls, and to increase the representation of women in Malian post-transition bodies.
B. All actions from Social Work in Spain are guided by the Social Work Ethics Code established by the General Council of Social Work in 2014, which establishes the following basic principles: dignity, freedom and equality; and from which 17 general principles derive: active respect, acceptance of the person, overcoming categorizations, absence of value judgments, individualization, personalization, integral promotion of the person, equal opportunities, rights, equity and participation, solidarity, social justice, recognition of human and social rights, autonomy, self-determination, responsibility and co-responsibility, professional coherence and, finally, integrity.
ReplyDeleteFinally, it is important to highlight that, as is said by Grodofsky, a fundamental key to international peacebuilding and positive peace is the address of basic human needs in order to ensure opportunities for human development and growth. (Grodofsky, 2008)
References:
- Seminars and Conferences - Government Delegation against Gender Violence. (nd). https://violenciagenero.igualdad.gob.es/marcoInternacional/actuaciones/seminarios/home.htm
- Associations - Government Delegation against Gender Violence. (nd). https://violenciagenero.igualdad.gob.es/informacionUtil/Asociaciones/home.htm
- Associations - Government Delegation against Gender Violence. (sf-b). https://violenciagenero.igualdad.gob.es/informacionUtil/Asociaciones/home.htm
- General Council of Social Work. https://www.cgtrabajosocial.es/codigo_deontologico
- Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the middle east. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1-2), 45-65.
Veronica, I think all the research about hoe the Spanish government is taking action to fight gender-based violence is incredible. I know there are other countries in the world that don't focus on this topic as much as they should. I think the Spanish government has a good start on how to approach this issue. I think a lot of countries, one such as Mexico, can look to Spain and use it as an example to follow. In Mexico these is an insane amount of violence against women and the government seems to not do much about it until recent years when protests started. Great work!
DeleteNadia Murad proposed that the United Nations has a duty to prevent genocide, demand justice when needed, liberate women and girls who are held captive, and offer protections to survivors of terrorism. In 2014, the genocide of the Yazidis by ISIS occurred. This genocide highlighted globalization and human rights issues in that women and girls were sold, bought, held captive, and raped as weapons of war. The genocide was fueled by intolerance for different beliefs and religion, which led to ethnic cleansing in that the numbers of the Yazidis declined dramatically by the end of the genocide, suggesting almost complete eradication of the Yazidi people. Nadia explained that the United Nations failed to adequately support the Yazidi people during the genocide in that they only offered sympathy despite pleas for action. The Yazidi people still faced the threat of annihilation, were unable to leave the camps set up by ISIS, suffered from a lack of rebuilding, and the perpetrators were not brought to justice. In her speech Nadia supported the stance that the global community and the United Nations need to take action when genocides occur so that they are not repeated in other vulnerable communities. She explained that justice is essential for peace, coexistence, and tolerance because it holds the terrorists and extremists accountable, preventing further harm to vulnerable populations. She highlighted that while the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Paris Peace Conference provide the foundation for combating global conflicts, if they are not enforced or used correctly genocide and war will continue to occur. Nadia explained that through local and international intervention, safe havens, educational opportunities, and initiatives to bring about justice should be enforced to support victims of genocide and conflict. She explains that it is the duty of the international community and the United Nations to provide support and safety when human rights are being violated.
ReplyDelete(A). In Nadia’s speech, she recognizes that women and children around the world are still subjected to violence. In the United States, domestic violence against women is a prevalent issue and a multidimensional problem. The National Association for Social Workers states that nearly 25% of women have been raped or physically assaulted by a partner or spouse at some point in their life (NASW, 2023). Domestic violence is multidimensional in that it can occur within many relationships and in many situations. It is, therefore, essential that social workers be able to recognize risky behaviors and increase protective factors through public awareness (Webb, 2010). The NASW recognizes social workers as essential in preventing and treating victims of domestic violence through educating, counseling, advocacy, and legislation (NASW, 2023). There are organizations at the forefront of the campaign against domestic violence, such as the NO MORE Campaign that supports social work’s stance that education and awareness is necessary to help prevent domestic violence (NO MORE, 2023). NO MORE provides information relating to supporting survivors, intervening, bystander tips, and understanding consent. Knowing this information serves as a protective factor, in that if one is educated about domestic violence they can correctly label it and seek support. NO MORE offers support information that links victims to hotlines that connects one to a social worker and shelters run by social workers (NO MORE, 2023). Through initiatives like NO MORE and the support of social workers, domestic violence is being confronted, which is one of the first steps in fueling lasting change.
(B).In global social work, human rights are those rights a person has simply because they are human (Healy, 2001). Some countries have argued that rights should not be indivisible because of cultural relativism. Social workers argue though that cultural relativism should be upheld as long as the culture is not infringing on others’ rights. It is therefore essential to recognize that universality does not equate to sameness, rather the universality of human rights implies that everyone has worth regardless of their position, status, or identity (Mapp, 2007). Human rights occur regardless of any distinctions; they are rights and not something to be earned (Healy, 2001). Social rights include victims’ rights, which fall under positive rights, as they require governments to take actions to provide for its citizens (Healy, 2001). This relates to the NO MORE campaign in that this campaign and the social workers attached to it are advocating for positive rights. This campaign is pushing interventions through advocacy and legislation that provide safety and security for women who are victims of domestic violence. NO MORE is doing this through campaigning. In their Chicago campaign, NO MORE is looking to gather resources from the Chicagoland area to combat domestic violence, while also working to change the culture surrounding domestic violence to make it one of de-stigmatization and openness. It is also important for social workers to be active at the local level, as this influences human rights localization (Dibbets & Eijkman, 2018). One way social workers can engage with human rights at the local level is through using human rights as a foundation for advocacy (Dibbets & Eijkman, 2018). Domestic violence is considered a violation of human rights in that it violates the rights to life, health, personal freedom, and security, as well as the right to not be exposed to inhumane or cruel treatment. The NO MORE movement is using this foundation to engage in advocacy and education on domestic violence, as it is recognizing domestic violence as a human rights violation. The concept of global social works’ peace-building approach is also actualized by NO MORE. The NO MORE campaign stresses positive peace. Positive peace includes the idea of social justice, which falls under the suppression of domestic violence (Grodofsky, 2007). NO MORE is engaging in social justice initiatives through educating the public about equal treatment between individuals in relationships where power dynamics are not taken advantage of. The resources offered by the campaign contribute to social justice in that they provide a safe haven for women and hotlines for information and support when needed. The NO MORE movement is, therefore, essential for promoting human rights and peace building through educational and action oriented initiatives that help reduce cases of domestic violence in the United States. (references in next comment)
ReplyDeleteReferences:
ReplyDeleteDibbets, A. and Q. Eijkman (2018). "Translators, Advocates or Practitioners? Social Workers
and Human Rights Localization." Journal of Human Rights Practice 10(2): 212-228.
Get involved locally. NOMORE.org | Together we can end domestic violence and sexual
assault. (2022, November 9). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from
https://nomore.org/take-action/get-involved-locally/#FindaLocalNOMORECampaign
Grodofsky, Merav Moshe. (2007). The Contribution of Law and Social Work to Interdisciplinary
Community Development and Peace Building in the Middle East. Journal of
Community Practice, 15, 45-65.
Healy, Lynn M. and Rebecca Thomas. (2020). International Social Work: Professional Action
in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mapp, Susan C. (2008). Human Rights and Social Justice in a Global Perspective : An
Introduction to International Social Work. Oxford University Press: New York.
News. NASW, National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from
https://www.socialworkers.org/News/1000-Experts/Media-Toolkits/Domestic-Violence
Webb, R. (2010, August). Diversity - National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved March
13, 2023, from https://www.socialworkers.org/assets/secured/documents/
practice/diversity/WKF-MISC-51610%20DiversityPU.pdf
When you take the Pledge, you're making a difference. Chicago Says No More. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://chicagosaysnomore.org/
Nadia Murad’s video and life experiences greatly demonstrate the need for organized and impactful global social work to fight for the needs of vulnerable women across the globe. Her speech concludes that sympathies are not enough, but concrete actions must be made in order to protect the livelihood of women and children against violence, assault, and danger. Unfortunately, these crimes against humanity persist, but there are efforts internationally on the behalf of global social workers in efforts to combat these atrocities. A. In the United States, 1 out of 5 women have been raped in their life and nearly ⅓ experience assault or varying degrees of physical violence (Edleson et al.). Social workers and public health scholars have evaluated this problem and devised multiple strategies. The first being the emphasization of health screenings and responses to female patients. This would be an initial effort to better evaluate when a female client is potentially being abused. These efforts are carried out by healthcare professionals or social workers who operate on the micro level hospital setting. It could however additionally take place on the macro setting in the advocacy and promotion of health screenings for women. Next, social workers have operated on the community level as well to combat this issue by creating domestic violence organizations, court advocacy organizations, children’s support, and 24 hour abuse hotlines (Edleson et al.). These are all programs and efforts by social workers to combat violence and abuse against women and children that offer solutions and safety to victims. Both community level organizations and social work advocacy along with promotion of public health screenings have not only stressed the increasing danger of violence against women, but have also implemented concrete solutions to this issue on the community level.
ReplyDeleteB. Although these practices are smaller scale, it reflects the principles of global social work. Global social workers carry the same duty of advocacy for vulnerable populations, but apply these strategies to global level issues that impact entire populations (Hugman et al., 2010). On the global scale, social workers must evaluate an issue and find patterns of the types of people affected in efforts to develop strategies of intervention. In this example, social workers must understand that women and children are more susceptible to violence globally. These programs mentioned before reflect the principles of global social work in efforts to advocate for populations that across the globe are affected by the same issues of gender based violence.
Hey, Isabella! I really like your comment on this topic. I think it is really important to notice what is going on in your country, to know what is already done the the U.S. by social workers. For example, as you mentioned, emphasization of health screening and responses to female patients, which should a normal practice in every other global country but sadly it is not everywhere. Furthermore, you mentioned that social workers have operated in community level as well, like domestic violence organizations, court advocacy organizations, children’s support, and 24 hour abuse hotlines it is nice to read that we have similar problem solving tactics in Lithuania as well that help people in need.
DeleteI totally agree that social workers must evaluate an issue and find patterns of the types of people affected in efforts to develop strategies of intervention as you mentioned women and children who are usually the most sensitive and vulnerable group that is affected by any kind of violence.
A. Women in Afghanistan have been heavily affected from the rules set in place by the Taliban. These restrictions include health and education access, freedom of expression, and income (HRW, 2022). Failure to follow these rules can sometimes result in abuse, detention, torture, and enforced disappearance (Haynie, 2023). The citizens of Kabul and other surrounding cities in Afghanistan have been facing shortages in food, water, and other supplies. As a result, there is a decline in mental health and quality of life, as well as an increase in fear and anxiety amongst others. It is important to note that international nongovernmental groups, often run by foreigners, continue to operate because the Taliban are not involved (HRW, 2022). However, many are still fearful and chose to not take part in the activism. The Human Rights Watch recommend that members of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan “press the Taliban to meet its international human rights obligations.” These obligations include humanitarian support and livelihood opportunities, education support, psychosocial support, and protection services. They also lay out some of the urgent requests to the Taliban about changing the restrictive policies. Both articles point out where the U.S. fell short in negotiations with the Taliban when they first took over Afghanistan, not explicitly negotiating rights for women, leaving them vulnerable and unprotected. The Obama Foundation lists ways to support women and girls in Afghanistan, which includes supporting organizations like CARE, Women for Women International, Save the Children, AfghanAid, Vital Voices, and Women for Afghan Women.
ReplyDeleteB. Devon Haynie from U.S. News, in interviewing with several afghan refugees, suggests two strategies. Advocates and members of the international community can either enforce penalties for the Taliban, leading to possible isolation, or they can work with the Taliban, which may not work. Either way, there is an agreement on the need for the protection of women’s rights and freedoms. Currently, there are efforts from the U.N. to put pressure on the Taliban. These pressures include asset freezes, arms embargoes, and a travel ban (Haynie, 2023). However, these efforts are not being sufficiently enforced, and some are calling for more effort. According to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), national partners are working together to provide sufficient healthcare, medicine, supplies, cooking utensils, and blankets amongst others to improve conditions for women in Afghanistan (UN News, 2022). However, the rights of women are still being denied and it is important to acknowledge the importance of that effort as well.
References
Afghanistan: Taliban deprive women of livelihoods, identity. Human Rights Watch. (2022). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/01/18/afghanistan-taliban-deprive-women-livelihoods-identity
Haynie, D. (2023, February 15). As the Taliban Curbs Women’s Rights, Advocates Demand Action. US News. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2023-02-15/what-if-anything-can-the-world-do-to-help-women-in-afghanistan
United Nations. (n.d.). UN agencies recommitment to women, girls in Afghanistan one year after Taliban takeover | UN News. United Nations. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1124662
Ways to support women and girls in Afghanistan. Obama Foundation. (2021, August 17). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.obama.org/updates/support-women-and-girls-in-afghanistan/
A. In Spain, older women are one of the social groups most susceptible to abuse, mistreatment and/or violence. In reality, ageing affects men and women differently, as they have adopted different roles throughout their lives. In this way, the confluence of factors such as gender and age makes older women a group with a high risk of suffering some kind of mistreatment.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, older women may also suffer from "gender-based violence". This is violence that is directed against women because of the very fact that they are women, and because their aggressors consider that they lack the basic rights of freedom, respect and decision-making capacity. Gender-based violence occurs in all areas of personal relationships and includes any physical and/or psychological aggression against women, including aggression against sexual freedom, threats, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
Other risk factors:
There is a significant association between violence and poor physical health, mental illness, low-income households, lack of participation in social life, long periods of dependency due to increased life expectancy, and the family overload of caring for the elderly, leading to stress, psychological disorders, addictions and other situations in caregivers that increase the likelihood of abuse and violence.
Older women are a particularly vulnerable group because it is more difficult for them to defend themselves, to ask for help, they do not know their rights and they have often suffered years of repeated abuse, remaining silent and hiding the violence they were subjected to. (Familiares, 2021)
What could do a social worker in this case ? One of its main functions would be prevention, an element to eliminate this phenomenon. Through different models, techniques and strategies, preventive programs for all ages, social classes, etc. can be developed.
Other actions carried out would be based in social intervention. This will vary depending on where it is carried out, such as social services, associations, health centers, hospitals, women's homes, etc.
Among these main functions are: drawing up a social report, accompanying women and children, offering resources in order to paliate this situation, comprehensive care and psichologycal support, liaison with other services, job orientation – something very important to emancipate women
If there is something to highlight in the tasks of Social Work, it would be the first interview in order to evaluate its situation. It is very important to create a bond of trust between the profession and the victim of gender violence. (Nieto, 2022)
References:
Nieto, V. (24 de noviembre de 2022). Victor Nieto. Obtenido de Qué hace el Trabajo Social en situación de violencia de género: https://www.victornieto.es/que-hace-trabajo-social-violencia-genero/
B. In this case, the labour of social workers is to share different and useful resources with members of the community in order to help them to learn how they could help to end racism and other ways of discrimination. The protocol to be followed would be as follows :
ReplyDeleteFirstly, interventions based on persuasion or on the provision of relevant information and contact, act on the premise that the cause of the persistence of racism and xenophobia is ignorance of the culture and situation of the group being discriminated against.
Secondly, persuasive messages are directed at the conscious aspects of the subject, so that only overt racism is acted upon and the double dynamics of racism are not taken into account. In short, the latent racism, which, for the most part, modulates racist behaviour today, remains intact.
Thirdly, the target population is generally invited to attend these actions or activities voluntarily, without taking into account that those who participate are already sensitised to the problem. Therefore, persuasive messages against overt (conscious) racism, when received by people who are not aware of being racist, will not produce changes in their attitudes, since they are not aware that they have anything to change. (Dra. Rosario Alonso, 2015)
Refference: Dra. Rosario Alonso, L. R. (2015). Intervención social contra el racismo y la xenofobia. Políticas del Trabajo Social.
In order to take a global view of such experiences, we have to talk about importance of achieving peace which is characterised by socio-economic justice, political participation and ecological balance. Peace is related to eradication of starvation, poverty, illiteracy and human exploitation. Achievement of peace also means that basic human needs must satisfied in order to ensure opportunities of human growth and development. Specific needs such as food, living place, education, health care, as well as the need of freedom and its autonomy are essential for building societies based on equality and preventing of prolonged conflicts. Societies characterised by growing inequality and social exclusion are facing discord and are split . The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) declares that the country must provide the basic human needs which are essential for peace and the dignity of every human being. Another important thing is empowering of social rights for part of population which mostly need that and so, that they could actively defend their rights and act as citizens. Therefore social work and rights are closely related to peace issues. Social workers are involved in building of community relations and are participating in struggle for equality. They also help to protect vulnerable populations, work as intermediants between different groups and are promoting inclusion, while the law determines the rights and obligations. In other words, the social worker is responsible for promoting the development of sustainable communities, is strengthening citizenship and civic consciousness, responsible for building cooperative relationships and democracy. The key factor of building civil society and peace is to involve part of population which is laying on marginal existence into mechanism for community organisation and defence of rights.
ReplyDeleteTherefore looking at Yazidi people’s example, it is obvious that important part is not only creation of legal framework and education, but also the role of the social worker, which is implementing those rights of the most vulnerable group of people, particularly women and children. The journalists, teachers, civil servants and people of similar professions groups are playing also important role of implementation of human rights.
References:
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the middle east. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1-2), 45-65. Website: https://doi.org/10.1300/J125v15n01_03
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, State News, 2006-06-17, Nr. 68-2497. Website:
https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.278385
Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Website:
https://www.urm.lt/default/lt/uzsienio-politika/uzsienio-politikos-prioritetai/lietuvos-saugumo-politika/jtst-rezoliucijos-nr-1325-igyvendinimas
Order of the Republic of Lithuania on the adoption of the action plan for the implementation of the “Women, peace and security” agenda 2020-2024 (2020) No. V-146 . (Valid consolidated version 27 June 2020). Website: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/f52e5a50b76f11eab9d9cd0c85e0b745
A) 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, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." The analyzed articles emphasize that each of us, as individuals, communities, and an international network of human rights and legal activists, we must attempt to genuinely listen to the voices of survivors—not just as victims of atrocities, but as agents of change. Perspectives of those interviewed on the role that the international community could play in supporting them ranged from hopeful to disappointment. One female respondent stated, “If countries and the international community truly put their hearts in it, everyone could be rescued.” Yazidi respondents to be viewed as agents rather than helpless victims, the wish for life to be restored to the situation that prevailed prior to the arrival of ISIL.
ReplyDeleteHuman trafficking is not new in European countries either. Young and vulnerable women and girls from economically weaker countries are taken to Western European or Arab countries through deception, blackmail and physical force, where they are sold into prostitution.
There are 2 specialized organizations fighting human trafficking in Lithuania.
1) National association against human trafficking. Main activities of association are:
Guarantee equal access and quality of comprehensive social assistance to victims of human trafficking and potential victims;
Raise the awareness of members of the society in order to achieve zero tolerance for human trafficking and modern slavery.
The association is currently running a project together with the US Embassy, where it discusses and conducts training for law enforcement and law enforcement officers who encounter victims of human trafficking and human traffickers in their work.
2) Center Against Human Trafficking and Exploitation (KOPŽI) provides social, psychological, legal, safe housing services to victims of human trafficking, prostitution, sexual abuse, carries out preventive and educational activities at the local and national level. Particular attention is paid to the selection of lawyers who represent victims of trafficking. They also try to maintain the confidentiality of the victims in every possible way. According to the data of this institution, ~50% of the victims become active participants in the labor market.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteB) The basis of social work is the guidelines of human moral norms and values, such as: human dignity, humanity, kindness, love, well-being, social justice and responsibility. Human rights are rights common to all people regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, right to work and education and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights without discrimination (United Nations, 2023). United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Iraq's Concluding Observations (2019) also included recommendations to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls. A social worker aims to protect individuals from various violations of their rights, to enable them to represent their rights. The Yazidi genocide shows that other people allow themselves to violate human rights laws and commit brutal crimes against innocent people with impunity. In global social work, it is very important to be interdisciplinary, have a broad world view and try to cooperate with other social workers in the world. Because each country's experience can teach another country something.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Akhavan P., Ashraph S., Barzani B., Matyas D. (2020). What Justice for the Yazidi Genocide?: Voices from Below. Human Rights Quarterly, 42(1), 1-47. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2020.0000
Kolstad K. (2018). Internally displaced Yazidis from Mount Sinjar cross the bridge at the Peshkabour border crossing from Syria into Iraqi Kurdistan. Access through internet: https://www.nrc.no/news/2018/december/five-things-you-should-know-about-the-yazidis/?fbclid=IwAR1HXB8eoBF_LJt4rfL2WyczpQAaJDMkbz3jsFQH1_Z6HWhPTXTF1L7aDDo
UN renews commitment to Yazidi community eight years after ISIL onslaught, United Nations (2022). Prieiga per internetą: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1123902
World Health Organization (2021). Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates. Access through internet: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
United Nations Human Rights Treaty bodies (2019). Access through internet: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/TBSearch.aspx?Lang=en&TreatyID=3&DocTypeID=5
Nacionalinė asociacija prieš prekybą žmonėmis (2023). Vykdomi projektai. Access through internet: https://stop-trafficking.lt/vykdomi-projektai/?fbclid=IwAR10YcQr7zq6ZHcTd3RKcrOXsu0ec00a_KKfdjDS4J6lkvzsm7A9o0d-1Gc
A) The tragedy of the Yazidi people in 2014 touched me personally. It is hard to comprehend that this is happening in the 21st century. ISIS fighters captured many Yazidi women and girls and subjected them to sexual slavery, forced marriage and other forms of physical and psychological abuse. Many Yazidi women and girls are sold into sex trafficking networks or used as human shields by ISIS fighters. Efforts have since been made to rescue and support Yazidi women and girls who have survived such violence. The situation of Yazidi women highlights the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in conflict zones and the urgent need for greater protection and support for survivors of sexual violence in this context. ISIS persecution of Yazidi women has been widely condemned by international human rights groups, governments and religious leaders. Yazidi women also face discrimination and exclusion in their daily lives. They are often excluded from education and employment opportunities, and their freedom of movement and participation in public life is restricted. There were also reports of forced conversions to Islam and other forms of religious persecution. Efforts are being made to address these challenges and support the Yazidi community. Organizations such as the Yazda Foundation and the Free Yazidi Foundation work to help Yazidi women and girls who have survived violence and advocate for their rights and protections. International organizations such as the United Nations also support survivors of sexual violence and work to advance minority rights in Iraq and other conflict zones. Yazidi women have faced numerous violations of their human rights, including: sexual violence; trafficking; forced conversion; discrimination and marginalization; stigmatization - women who have survived sexual violence or forced marriage often face stigmatization and rejection from their families and communities. These Yezidi women's human rights abuses are unacceptable and must be addressed through comprehensive and sustained efforts to support survivors, promote accountability and promote respect for human rights and dignity. Social workers and their partners make many efforts around the world to end violence against women. One such effort is United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Sustainable Development Goal 5 includes a target to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Various international organizations and NGOs are working towards these goals, such as UN Women, the International Federation of Social Workers and the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women. These organizations work with governments, civil society organizations and communities to prevent violence against women and support survivors. Its core activities include advocacy, research, education and direct service. These efforts are grounded in principles and concepts of global social work grounded in human rights and peacebuilding approaches. Human rights-based social work emphasizes the importance of upholding the human rights of all people, including women, and advocating for social justice and equality. Peacebuilding societies work focuses on building peaceful and inclusive societies through dialogue, cooperation and conflict resolution. The programs and initiatives implemented by these organizations reflect these principles and concepts in various ways. For example, they work to advance women's rights and gender equality, challenge harmful cultural and social norms that perpetuate violence against women, and provide support and services to survivors of violence. They also work to address the underlying structural and systemic factors that fuel violence against women, such as poverty, discrimination and inequality.
ReplyDeleteA. Sexual violence and crimes against women as a global problem and one that social workers across the globe need to come together to work on. There are many individuals and programs working to help this issues and the women affected. When researching this topic one of a major programs I found was the United Nations STOP RAPE NOW program. This campaign is apart of their UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict program and works to stop sexual violence during and after conflicts world wide. This seems especially applicable to the work on Nadia Murad and the speech she gave. She spoke about how the genocide her people experienced lead to the sexual violence against thousands of women and how desperately this needs to change. This prpgram in the UN works under 3 main pillars which they state as Country-Level Action, Advocacy for Action, and Knowledge-Building (United Nations). These pillars create the structure of what they are trying to do and speak to their mission and goal. As an organization they are working to empower individual countries to gain the resources and and power to stop sexual violence at a national level and use their own police or government to fight against it. They are advocating for action by working directly with the public to help them realize the problems at hand and use their own voices to speak up. And finally they are trying to build knowledge to help educate both the public and women who may be at risk. By sharing statistics and resources they hope to help empower people to keep themselves safe and look out for those in the community.
ReplyDeleteB. This program is full of social workers who are working to stand up against sexual violence and help people who are in terrible situations. On their website the United Nations states there framework for this program as “a critical joint UN system- wide initiative to guide advocacy, knowledge- building, resource mobilization, and joint programming around sexual violence in conflict” (United Nations). This statement sums up their main goals and the ways they plan to go about those goals. As someone just going through their website I really appreciated them sharing this statement because it makes it clear what they are trying to do and how they are going to go about it. These concepts and ideas are incredibly powerful social work principals and can be integral in building peace and resolving conflict. Guiding advocacy can be helpful within communities and and on a global scale. Giving people information about how they can advocate for themselves and those around them can have a large impact and help spread awareness for an issue. Knowledge building is an essential part of any campaign. People need to be educated on an issue before they can fully understand it and the severity of the situation. Education is vital to creating change and build knowledge is necessary to both those who can be subject to sexual violence and those who will be advocates. Resources mobilization and joint programming are both key parts of this program and what will end up truly making a change. By working with individuals and other organizations the UN can use they resources they have to support those around the globe who are in danger and in need of help.
References
Inventory of United Nations activities to end violence against women. United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://evaw-un-inventory.unwomen.org/en/agencies/un-action
Hi, Megan
DeleteSexual exploitation is a serious human rights violation that can cause severe physical, emotional and psychological harm to victims. So I completely agree with you that educating people on this issue can help raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual exploitation, reduce victim-blaming attitudes, and encourage victims to seek help. Additionally, education about sexual exploitation can help prevent it. By promoting healthy relationships, acceptance and respect for women, we can combat harmful gender and social norms that objectify and demean women. Combating sexual exploitation is also key to achieving gender equality and promoting social justice. Women who are sexually exploited often face discrimination, poverty and social exclusion, which make it difficult for them to access education, health care and other basic services. Educating people about sexual exploitation is critical to advancing human rights, preventing harm, promoting gender equality, and building more just and equitable societies.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1) Nadia Murad hope today marks the beginning of a new era, when pease is the priority and the world can callectively begin to define a new road map to protect women, children and minorities from persecution in particular victims of sexual violence.
ReplyDeleteIf you want the Yazidis to leave displacement camps and return to their areas and give them confidence again the international community you should give them international protection under U N supervision.
We must join forces in building our country. The only prize that will restore a normal life between our people and our friends is justice and protection for the rest of this community.
Education plays an essential role in nurturing civilized societies that believe in tolerance and peace.
a) Social work is discussed as a partnership project between different social actors: such as practitioners, universities and local authorities. Social work includes cross-border social work programs based on the principle of reciprocity and partnership. People in various countries of the world, as well as in Lithuania, face similar problems and pursue similar goals. Universities, NGOs carry out important work. Cooperation, development of joint projects and expert exchange projects take place between universities and various human rights protection and aid organizations. Beside government agencies and humanitarian organisations such as UNICEF, UNDP, the International Red Cross and so on, many institutions of education have become engaged in carrying out international and in our country social work projects. There is a need to develop social work. Consciousness is rapidly globalizing. International social work can also be very educational and practical.
b) International social work, encom-passes cross-national social work programmes that are based on the principle of mutuality and partnership. The term international social work implies, thus, that actors who are engaged in both social work theory and practice in their own country become actively engaged in the social services, education and practice of social work in one or more other countries. International social work can and should play an important role in consolidating democracy, social justice and the implementation of international conventions such as human rights, elimination of discrimination against women, rights of children and so on, as well as preventing conflicts and supporting peace by promoting global cultural integration. International social work can also be highly educative and practical.
Ahmadi N. Globalisation of consciousness and new chal- lenges for international social work.
Int J Soc Welfare 2003: 12: 14 – 23 © Blackwell Publishing, 2003.
A. Nadia Murad is a voice for those women who have been subjected to violence, abuse and taking captive. One in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, and the immediate and long-term physical, sexual, and mental consequences for women and girls can be devastating, including death.
ReplyDeleteA woman’s right to live free from violence is upheld by international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
In Lithuania we have several non-governmental and international organizations (KOPŽI, Klaipėda Social and Psychological Assistance Centre, the IOM Vilnius Office, Lithuanian Caritas, Save the Children, the Missing Persons Family Support Centre) that provides social, psychological, legal, and safe housing services to victims of human trafficking, prostitution, and sexual abuse. Assistance to victims of violence is provided by social workers, lawyers, psychologists. They also carry out preventive and educational activities at local and national level, advocates for victims' rights in the country and abroad.
B. Despite the tension between human rights and the process of peace-making, human rights are thus central to and indispensable for peace. While mediators and conflict resolution actors may prioritize processes that give priority to solving immediate security concerns, human rights analysis and information can help them promote more comprehensive processes aimed at addressing structural violence by including a focus on social justice, political equality, and accountability for past wrongdoings. These two approaches are intrinsically linked and can be mutually reinforcing to unveil the full potential of human rights in peace processes.
Global Campaign for Peace Education of the Hague reminds that peace means not only the lack of violent conflicts, but also the presence of justice and equity, as well as respect for human rights and for the Earth.
References:
UN Women. Internet access: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women
United Nations. Internet access: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women
United Nations. Internet access: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-elimination-all-forms-discrimination-against-women
United Nations. Internet access: https://www.ohchr.org/en/speeches/2022/06/role-human-rights-peace-and-mediation-processes
Global Campaign for Peace Education of the Hague Internet access: https://www.peace-ed-campaign.org/
The whole story that Nadia Murad explained in her speech it’s really touching and valuable to hear to every nation people. I think that everyone who live in independent and free country should consider what they have and try to consider and not forget what other nations are enduring, to hear similar stories like Nadia is telling to the world. Moreover, it’s easy to forget that there are other nations as well who are suffering from genocide and injustice. Sometimes it seems that freedom is an easy forgetful right that people have. As it is mentioned in Jurkuviene, R. and Harrison, D. (2005), article about “What kind of freedom. A narrative of change” the main storyteller raises this question about the freedom, what does it mean to people, that it has various kind of meanings but the description that I agree on as well is that it is a respect for every human being, the right to self-expression. Especially, what is frustrating is that in the XXI century people are still prosecuted for their beliefs and religion, or being captive sold, bought, and sexually and psychologically abused as it is mentioned in Murad speech.
ReplyDeletea. Talking about the efforts that are made due to stop violence against women it’s important to talk about one of the recent news in the past year. In 2022 February Russia started a war conflict in the Ukraine where after few months of this war there started to rise images and stories about sexual violence towards Ukrainian woman and even children. The first reaction was started to arise from the within, as co-founder of JurFem, the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association, Hrystyna Kit, who is also a lawyer, explained in the United Nations News article, she has found herself pushing forward against a rising tide of gender-based violence (UN News, 2022). As she explains that the true scale of this violence is not yet known, Ms. Kit adds, but what’s clear is that its impacts will be lasting for many years to come. Ms. Kit also acknowledges that in this kind of situation What activism does require, she says, is community and care: “unite, enlist the support of like-minded people and forces”. Later on, the help from the outside were made by Pramila Patten, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, who was speaking at a press conference in the capital, Kyiv and promised that international law will not be an empty promise and that “today’s documentation will be tomorrow’s prosecution and that women your rights don’t end when wars begin” (UN News, 2022).
b. As one of the examples of fighting down sexual violence in Ukraine is JurFem organized works in recent time by collaborating with partners to ensure conflict-related sexual violence survivors receive protection and support from law enforcement and service providers. Since April last year, JurFem started to provide legal assistance directly to survivors, launching a legal aid hotline and helping all affected people, especially women, to deal and overcome with this situation. As it is mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 7: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law“ (United Nations, 1948). By this article, it is clear that this organization is on the right path to help, solve this situation in the Ukraine and make sure that every person is protected as it is possible. As another example could be the following situation what Pramila Patten promised as a following step after her statement - she made an agreement to addresses comprehensive service provision for survivors, including sexual and reproductive health services, medical and specialized mental health services, legal assistance, and livelihood support. In this regard, she has also held discussions with the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights, which could establish “hubs” across Ukraine where people can report cases of sexual violence and also receive medical, psychological and other support (UN News, 2022).
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Jurkuviene, Ramune and Harrison, D. (2005) What kind of freedom? A narrative of change. Social Justice in Context, 1, 95.
United Nations. (n.d.). Fighting conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine. UN News. United Nations. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/12/1131317
United Nations. (n.d.) Ukraine war: UN signs framework to assist survivors of sexual violence. UN News. United Nations. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1117442
United Nations, 1948, Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
a. There are several organizations and groups working to stop violence against women globally. One such organization is the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), which works to empower women in conflict-affected areas to actively participate in peacebuilding processes. Their central activities include advocating for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, providing training and support to women leaders, and facilitating community-level dialogues to prevent conflict.
ReplyDeleteAnother organization is the UN Women's Safe Cities Global Initiative, which aims to make cities safer for women and girls by addressing issues such as sexual harassment and violence in public spaces. Their central activities include working with local governments and communities to develop and implement action plans, providing training and support to law enforcement and other stakeholders, and conducting research and advocacy on the issue of gender-based violence.
b. The principles and concepts of global social work based on human rights and peace-building approach that are actualized by these programs include the recognition of the interconnectedness of social, economic, and political factors that contribute to violence against women, the importance of empowering women and girls to become agents of change in their communities, and the need for collaboration and partnership across sectors and stakeholders to address complex social issues.
In her 2018 Nobel prize speech, Nadia Murad emphasizes the importance of recognizing the human rights of all individuals and the need for collective action to prevent genocide and other forms of violence. She also highlights the importance of empowering women and girls to be leaders in peacebuilding and promoting gender equality. These principles are reflected in the work of organizations such as GNWP and UN Women, which aim to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women through a human rights and peace-building approach.
References:
Global Network of Women Peacebuilders. (n.d.). Our work. Retrieved from https://gnwp.org/our-work/
UN Women. (n.d.). Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/safe-cities-and-safe-public-spaces
Nadia Murad’s speech was deeply moving and inspirational. I agree with her proposal and wonder whether it is something that should have already been done/considered. Preventing genocide should be a no-brainer. Nadia’s speech is calling for basic human rights, and I think her calls should be answered.
ReplyDeleteThere are many organizations that are making change to stop violence against women. The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) is an organization based in the United States that is doing a lot of work to protect violence against women. While they are not an international organization, they do a great job of working with the federal government to prosecute all perpetrators in the US. They have eight people on staff as well as a board supporting them. Their staff is all women advocating for change in their roles, whether that is through housing or advocacy coordinator positions. The NAESV has a list of accomplishments on their page, some list as “Sustained funding levels for CDC programs including the Rape Prevention Education Program as budgets were cut.”, “Provided leadership on the Violence Against Women National Advisory Committee.”, and “Assisted federal agencies to develop policies that are trauma-informed and survivor focused.” (NAESV). Some might say that these are small efforts, but they are making real change on step at a time. NAESV is great at working with other organizations and the federal government, really taking peace-building to heart. They have a respect for justice and have made it their entire mission. With six different area networks, they are able to reach across the country to stop sexual violence.
Reference:
End Sexual Violence. National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://endsexualviolence.org/
a. Describe who is carrying out those efforts and their central activities.
ReplyDeleteViolence against women and children has been a concern since the beginning of civilization. Nadia Murad does an excellent job elaborating on how various countries address violence against women and children, specifically implementation from Norway, Kuwait, Greece, The UK, and more. The United Nations have created multiple programs in order to prevent violence against women and children, such as CARE, Unicef, and the WHO. In America, acts such as VAWA and organizations such as OVW ( Office on Violence Against Women) work to enforce the elimination of violence against women and children within the United States.
These programs help provide housing, medical care, counseling, safety, basic needs, education, and legal assistance. The Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994 and has been reauthorized several times since, providing care for millions experiencing gender-based violence within the United states. The OVW came into place in 1995 and is used to disburse financial programs through VAWA. VAWA and the OVM provide protection and assistance to those who have experienced violence such as financial, physical, mental, elder, and sexual abuse, which has guided implementations of boundaries and other programs in order to better support victims/survivors within the united states, refugees and asylum seekers are also able to receive services through this program. In order to receive these benefits you must have experienced one of these circumstances. Although VAWA has implemented crucial procedures when addressing gender-based violence, it also has its faults when addressing individuals of color as they are more likely to be arrested as the sole provider for the family as well as the victim. Hardships such as this are still being addressed and policymakers are working together to improve such situations.
b. What principles and concepts of global social work based on a human rights and peace-building approach are actualized by that program?
According to Healy “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) clearly states that the philosophy underlying human rights is that All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” (2001, pg.64). Aspects of Global social work can be found in the VAWA act throughout history as its mission is to protect all individuals, especially women, against forms of violence within society. Peace-building approaches are generalized through public assistance such as housing, financial, medical, and legal. In doing so VAWA illustrates human rights in the context of indivisibility and protects human rights for all. This includes assured protection for all generations including economic, civil, cultural, and political rights. “Political freedoms cannot be meaningful to starving people; well-fed people without civil freedoms are denied an essential component of human dignity; and ultimately, without a world order of peace and fairness, none of these rights can be guaranteed”(Healy, 2001, pg.68). That being said, social workers may have conflicts that arise in regard to culture and human rights as they may vary. All humans are indivisible and deserve human rights regardless of culture, ethnicity, or political system according to Mapp(2007, pg.18). Therefore VAWA is an honorable attribute to global human rights.
References:
Department of Justice, T. U. S. (2022, October 28). Domestic violence. The United States Department of Justice. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
Healy, L. M. (2001). International social work : Professional action in an interdependent world. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
ILCADV. (2021). Looking back for a better path forward . Looking back for a better path forward. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ilcadv.org/looking-back-for-a-better-path-forward/
Mapp, S. C. (2007). Human rights and social justice in a global perspective : An introduction to international social work. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time I had heard the story of Nadia Murad and the Yazidi people. It is horrifying how many times the world has watched genocide happen to various people groups, and Nadia brings forth the radical (to some) claim that global participants should intervene before these types of genocides happen. It is wonderful to have compassion for those who suffer, but if we are not actually intervening and acting, those feelings mean very little.
ReplyDeleteA. One group that works against violence against both women and children is International Justice Mission. They specifically work against sexual violence against women and children in Bolivia, Guatemala, Kenya and Uganda. They also aid in helping women regain land from land theft in El Salvador and Uganda. They work to protect victims by helping to remove the victim from danger and then proving trauma focused therapy. They also work to bring perpetrators of violence to justice by collaborating with local authorities. Additionally, they provide training and mentoring to courts and law enforcement in regards to sexual crimes and advocate for reforms to ensure laws to protect people from sexual violence are enforced. Through these reforms, they work on both the micro and macro levels.
B. One concept of global social work practice that IJM embodies is working not just with individuals, but also trying to enact reform in a larger level through changing systems. Those who work on the ground at IJM are what Dibbets & Eijkman (2018) would call human rights advocates, because they “recognize structural human rights problems in daily practice and to challenge these by assisting clients to claim their rights, lobby for change, or act as a whistle-blower.” They act as peace-builders in their work to transform legal systems so that sexual crimes are actually prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
International Justice Mission (n.d.) The Problem: Sexual Violance. International Justice Mission. https://www.ijm.org/our-work/violence-women-children/sexual-violence
Dibbets, A. and Q. Eijkman (2018). "Translators, Advocates or Practitioners? Social Workers and Human Rights Localization." Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212-228.
Resources:
ReplyDeleteEnding violence against women. UN Women – Headquarters. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women
Grodofsky, Merav Moshe. (2007). The Contribution of Law and Social Work to Interdisciplinary Community Development and Peace Building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15, 45-65.
a. Describe who is carrying out those efforts and their central activities.
ReplyDeleteThey work to help victim of sexual violence and who have been affected by violence. They also work to stop and prevent it from happening to young girls and women as well. They advocate to save woman and girls from the grip of ISIS and the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse they endure whe held captive.
b. What principles and concepts of global social work based on a human rights and peace-building approach are actualized by that program?
They have made many appeals since 2014 to try and stop the selling, transporting and abuse of girls and women. They want to end the killing of men and women by ISIS. The concepts present working towards peace are to eliminate the violence that people are facing and to keep them from losing their rights and being sold and abused. They want everyone regardless of their gender to be treated equally and to not be in harm's way by ISIS.
A. The "Enough" campaign, initiated by Oxfam, is a global social work initiative that combats violence against women and girls. It involves a wide range of stakeholders, including individual volunteers, civil society organizations, and governments, working together to address the issue across different levels - global, societal, community, family/relationship, and individual.
ReplyDeleteThe campaign promotes awareness of harmful social norms that perpetuate violence, challenges these norms through education and advocacy, and encourages action to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It utilizes diverse platforms such as social media, art, music, and workshops to engage people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds in dialogue and reflection.
In addition to grassroots efforts, the campaign advocates for policy changes that promote gender equality and non-violence and calls on governments and institutions to address power imbalances contributing to violence. By involving individuals, communities, and institutions, the campaign aims to empower everyone to take concrete action towards promoting gender equality and preventing violence.
B. The "Enough" campaign is based on a human rights and peace-building approach, which aligns with several principles and concepts of global social work as discussed in the readings.
One principle that is actualized by the "Enough" campaign is empowerment. Empowerment involves the process of building individual and community capacity to promote change. The "Enough" campaign empowers individuals and communities to take action towards preventing and responding to gender-based violence by providing education and resources. According to Healy and Thomas (2020), empowerment is a key principle of global social work, as it recognizes the importance of working with communities to achieve sustainable change.
Another principle actualized by the "Enough" campaign is participatory approaches. Participatory approaches involve involving individuals and communities in the process of addressing social issues. The "Enough" campaign takes a participatory approach by encouraging dialogue and reflection on the issue of gender-based violence and providing various platforms for individuals and communities to engage in advocacy and education. As Mapp (2008) notes, participatory approaches are critical in global social work, as they promote democratic decision-making and ownership of the change process.
Finally, the "Enough" campaign promotes peace-building by addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls, such as harmful social norms and power imbalances. The campaign recognizes that promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence is essential for building and maintaining peaceful societies. As Healy and Thomas (2020) discuss, peace-building is a key concept in global social work, as it recognizes the importance of addressing social issues at their root causes and promoting a culture of nonviolence.
References:
About Us. Oxfam International. (2023, January 25). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.oxfam.org/en/what-we-do/about
Healy, Lynn M. and Rebecca Thomas. (2020). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2008 edition available at Loyola ebooks online, 2020 edition on order by library: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.flagship.luc.edu/lib/luc/detail.action?docID=430927&pq-origsite=primo
Mapp, Susan C. (2008). Human Rights and Social Justice in a Global Perspective: An Introduction to International Social Work. Oxford University Press: New York.
Available in electronic books online at: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.flagship.luc.edu/lib/luc/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=415421
Together we can end violence against women and girls. Enough. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.sayenoughtoviolence.org/#map
Question #1: Nadia Marud is an empowering human rights activist. It is heartbreaking to learn what has been happening in her country and what the Yazidi people, specifically the women and children are being brutally subjected to. Based on a report from the World Health organization (WHO) , “One in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, and the immediate and long-term physical, sexual, and mental consequences for women and girls can be devastating, including death” (UN Women, 2023). The United Nations goal is aid in the progression of gender equality in addition to empowering women and providing helping resources. VAWA or Violence Against Women Act is implemented in the United States as a preventive measure to insure the elimination of violence that is perpetrated on women and children alike. Social workers in addition to public health workers have made progress forward in relation to bringing awareness to the vitality of screening for exposure to violence in a safe space such as healthcare and mental health settings in addition to social welfare agencies. These interventions are provided not only by global social workers, but also by the local government, community leadership, and human rights organizations around the world.
ReplyDelete“The City of Chicago, through the Department of Family and Support Services, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Planning and Development, is required by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) to develop a plan for individuals who
live in eligible housing that is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and
have experienced domestic violence. VAWA provides certain protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA protections are not limited only to women, but are available equally to all qualifying individuals regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity” (Chicago.Gov, 2023)
Works Cited:
“City of Chicago VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan for Residents of HUD-Funded Housing Programs.” City of Chicago :: City of Chicago VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan for Residents of HUD-Funded Housing Programs, https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/supp_info/city-of-chicago-vawa-emergency-transfer-plan-for-residents-of-hu.html.
“Violence against Women: Strengthening the Health Response in Times of Crisis.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/violence-against-women.
A) It is true that, nowadays in Spain the violence against women still being a daily problem. Even
ReplyDeletethough, in my country there is a lot of consciousness about it and there are several organisations
fighting to protect women and to stop any type of violence against them. The most important
Organization created for this aim is called “Delegación del Gobierno contra la Violencia de
Género” which is translated as government delegation against gender violence (DGVG). The
efforts made by this delegation are directed by the Ministry of Equality of the Spanish
government, and their central activities are to provide women with information an tools to protect
themselves, to be able to detect violence against women in they’re environment before is too late,
to connect women of all over the countries with similar experiences to rase awareness, to make
women in difficult situations feel comprehended and to connect professionals with women. Other
activities that are held by the DGVG are campaigns on the TV and in the streets.
To reach more people the DGVG has an online page of easy access and an emergency number
which is 016. This services work nonstop to provide women with the a fast intervention of
professionals. What is more, if you contact any of this services and you are in a dangerous
situation because the aggressor may be listening or seeing that you are trying to ask for help, the
DGVG has created some “secret codes” to create a communication that won’t put you in danger
in case of being listened or seen by the aggressor.
There are many smaller organisations helping women to fight violence in Spain but the DGVG is
the bigger and most important one today.
B) the gender-based violence victims suffer from different rights violations, for example the right to
life, freedom from torture and degrading treatment, freedom from discrimination and the right to
safety and security (Le Conseil de l’Europe). This affects directly to some of the most important
concepts treated by social work regarding human rights and peace-building. The DGVG program
launched by the Spanish Ministry of Equality tries to protect women rights to life, freedom for
torture and degradation treatment, freedom from discrimination and the right to safety and
security, as well as the right to receive and ask for help and to report safely any type of violation of
human rights.
The DGVG looks for a society free of gender violence against women understood as partner
abuse, trafficking in women and girls for sexual exploitation, and female genitalia mutilation. In
addition to what I’ve said before, besides the protection of women rights, the DVG implements
concepts of social work based on human rights and peace-building as the concepts of bringing
help to people in necessity, protecting human beings lives (in this case oriented to women),
establishing a healthy environment of well-being and safety for women and spreading awareness
and education on the subject.
https://violenciagenero.igualdad.gob.es/
https://www.coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/gender-based-violence-and-human-rights
https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-07/swd-2021-human-rightbased-approach_en.pdf
Recently in Iran, the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s “morality police” has caused an enormous uproar resulting in dangerous protests where many dissenters have been executed, all fighting against the violence Iranian women have faced under the Islamic State for so long, and their right to freedom of expression. While these efforts were silenced by the Iranian government, even instating an internet ban, the bravery of Iranian women and protestors and the danger they face has echoed throughout the world, making this women’s issue quite prominent for global social workers wanting to join the fight. These efforts have mainly surfaced through several international women’s organizations, who are offering solidarity and support to Iranian women, in their search for justice and rights to expression without facing danger, arrest, and/or death. According to the Middle East Institute (MEI) In October of 2022, foreign ministers, all female, from Canada, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, and more, showed their solidarity for Iranian women and protestors as they expressed a duty to echo and platform the voices of Iranian women, calling an investigation into the use of force by the Iranian “morality police” in general, and during demonstrations. Many of these groups also advocated for the special session held by the UN Human Rights Council on November 24, 2022, calling for the coordination of a “fact-finding mission” to investigate the human rights violations that have thus taken place (Parsa). A collaboration of women’s organizations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America released a statement calling the Iranian government to repeal Article 638 of Iranian penal code, which requires covering dress and punishment for those who do not adhere. Within this statement, it was noted that recent polls have shown that “72% of Iranians do not believe the hijab should be enforced by the government, rather it is a matter of choice for Muslim women” (Parsa). Like so many other women’s movements, at the center of this issue is a women’s right to choose, and even be granted that choice in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe actions taken by women’s organizations and social workers globally, reflect a human rights and peace-building approach through their practice of solidarity, organization, and call for action and primarily justice, against those perpetuating this violence. This is made clear through the efforts or organization of council such as investigation by the UN and global collaboration of women’s organizations putting the Iranian government into question, and attempting to hold them accountable. These are integral to the values of a global social worker using a human rights and peace-building approach, as it allows the global and the local to intercede, and that is when real change can be made. While local efforts are much more difficult in this case, since all women are under threat in the Islamic State, these global efforts to directly aid Iranian women and investigate the regime they are under are integral to helping local Iranian women find justice and peace. This must also be done, however, with respect of religion and choice at the forefront. While the Islamic State is a dangerous one that imposes religion and its laws onto all Iranian people, there still must be a respect for religion and culture instilled in solidarity toward many of these women. Respect of culture and human dignity simultaneously is at the forefront of global social work and its values. While women and their rights are being put in danger, it is exceedingly important to remember that this is a fight against the controlling regime of the Islamic State, that enforces its laws onto all people, thus creating a hugely harmful environment. However, it is in no way a fight against the Islamic religion itself.
Fariba Parsa, “How International Women’s Organizations are Supporting Iran’s Protest Movement” (https://www.mei.edu/publications/how-international-womens-organizations-are-supporting-irans-protest-movement)
by Riley Lewers Part 1
ReplyDeleteNadia Murad is a powerful speaker, whose condemnation of other countries of the genocide of the Yazidi people rang all too true, for it echoes the murkiness of international law: when there is no binding minimum standard or body of enforcement, there leaves room for countries to issue platitudes or offer support, but falls short of intervening to stop atrocities. Though it is important to respect the sovereignty of countries, I agree that in cases of extreme human rights violations such as genocide, an independent international body such as the United Nations should be able to intercede in order to protect the lives and rights of those who are vulnerable, and to ensure that survivors are equipped with the protection and resources necessary to rebuild their lives. However, given the recent global surge in nationalism, I am doubtful that any country would agree to give the United Nations the authority to intervene.
A. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), a Native and women led non-profit based in New Mexico, works to end violence against Native women and children in the United States (2023). Their work is vital, as a 2016 study by the National Institute for Justice found that four in five Native women in the United States have experienced violence in their lifetime, and approximately 56.1% have experienced sexual violence (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2023). Further, rates of murder, rape, and violent crime against Native American and Alaska Native women are all higher than national averages for any other racial or ethnic group, and has led to international recognition of the crisis of missing and murdered Native women (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2023). The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center seeks to end gender-based violence in tribal communities through advocacy and policy work, and are committed to: 1) promoting safety and justice for indigenous women, both on and off tribal lands; 2) access to culturally grounded advocacy designed by and for Native women; 3) ensuring safe and affordable housing, legal services, childcare, economic security, and other basic resources are provided in respectful ways; 4) ensuring availability of culturally-based, trauma and resiliency-informed services; and, 5) that Native women have access to indigenous healing practices (NIWRC, 2023). Central to their work is the belief and practice of promoting Native leadership and grassroots efforts, as well as culturally appropriate services that support tribal sovereignty. The group has created a curriculum, host trainings, host a helpline for victims, and engage in legislative advocacy at the state and federal level.
B. The approach adopted by the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center fulfills several key aspects of a global, human rights, and peace-building approach to social work, particularly in the area of human rights. The NIWRC’s work and goals are aligned with many of the principles contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such as the right to economic, social and cultural rights necessary for dignity and free development of personality (Article 22) and the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care (Article 25) (Mapp, 2008, p. 18).
by Riley Lewers Part 2
ReplyDeleteBy seeking to ensure the development and availability of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services for Native women and communities, and ensuring that Native communities are equipped with the economic and social factors that contribute to an environment where violence against women can flourish, such as education, housing, and legal services, they are promoting a human rights based approach that centers indigenous women, leadership, and knowledge and promotes and protects tribal sovereignty and culture. Further, their work represents both positive freedoms and collective rights, both of which are a hallmark of a global, human rights, and peace-building approach, as they seek to promote and ensure culturally appropriate services and to enhance the social and economic reality of tribal communities in order to reduce violence (Healey & Thomas, 2001).
Works Cited:
1. National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC). (2023). Who we are. https://www.niwrc.org/about
2. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2023). Missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis: Violence against Native Americans and Alaska Natives far exceed national averages. Bureau of Indian Affairs. https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis
3. Mapp, S. C. (2008). Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: An introduction to international social work. Oxford University Press.
4. Healey, L. M. & Thomas, R. (2001). International social work: Professional action in an interdependent world. 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.
The Yazidi people have suffered greatly, with many being murdered, enslaved, and subjected to sexual violence. It is crucial that we as global social workers work towards ending violence against women and children, and I appreciate the proposal put forth by the Yazidi activist to involve the UN in preventing genocide, liberating captives, offering special protections to survivors, and outlawing terrorism in Iraq and other countries.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous efforts being made by global social workers and their partners to stop violence against women in various countries. One such effort is the Global Campaign to Stop Violence against Women, which is a collaborative effort between UN Women, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The central activities of this campaign include advocacy, policy development, and programming at the global, regional, and country levels. The campaign focuses on changing attitudes and behaviors, strengthening laws and policies, and improving services for survivors of violence.
Another example of efforts to stop violence against women is the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative, which is also led by UN Women. This initiative works to create safe and inclusive public spaces for women and girls, through a combination of advocacy, policy development, and programming. Central activities include conducting safety audits, developing community-led solutions, and building partnerships between governments, civil society, and other stakeholders.
Both of these efforts are based on principles and concepts of global social work that are grounded in a human rights and peace-building approach. The Global Campaign to Stop Violence against Women and the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative both prioritize the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to safety, security, and freedom from violence. These efforts also focus on promoting social justice and equality, by working to eliminate violence against women and girls in all its forms. Furthermore, these initiatives are grounded in a peace-building approach, by promoting community-led solutions and working to address the root causes of violence against women and girls.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs a global social worker, my approach would be to adopt a community-based and participatory approach to address the problem at hand. This would involve engaging with the affected community, listening to their experiences and concerns, and working collaboratively with them to develop sustainable solutions.
ReplyDeleteFor the problem of predatory money-lenders, I would work with the community to raise awareness about their rights and empower them to make informed financial decisions. This could involve providing financial literacy training and linking them with responsible financial institutions or microfinance organizations. I would also advocate for policy changes to regulate money-lending practices and ensure that they are transparent and fair.
In the case of deforestation and environmental contamination, I would work with the community to develop sustainable livelihood alternatives that do not harm the environment. This could involve promoting eco-tourism, organic farming, or other environmentally friendly economic activities. I would also advocate for stronger environmental regulations and enforcement to hold polluters accountable and protect the health and safety of the community.
For the problem of predatory money-lenders preying on impoverished persons, I would work to develop and implement microfinance programs that provide affordable loans to individuals and small businesses, as well as financial education and literacy training to help prevent exploitation. I would also work with local governments and organizations to develop regulations and laws that protect borrowers from predatory lending practices.
For deforestation and environmental contamination, my approach would involve working with the community and other stakeholders to develop sustainable land use practices and promote environmental conservation. This would include education and awareness-raising campaigns, as well as working with local governments and businesses to develop and enforce environmental regulations.
For the escalating strife between persons from two different ethnic groups, my approach would involve promoting intergroup dialogue, conflict resolution, and reconciliation. This would involve working with community leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to build trust and understanding between the two groups and develop strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully.
For female genital mutilation, my approach would involve working with the community and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the harmful effects of the practice and promote alternative rites of passage that do not involve cutting. This would involve working with traditional and religious leaders to develop culturally appropriate messages and programs that promote girls' and women's rights and wellbeing.
In all of these approaches, my work as a global social worker would be grounded in a human rights-based and culturally responsive approach, focusing on building community capacity and promoting sustainable solutions. I would also work to ensure the participation and empowerment of the affected community in all aspects of the intervention.
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ReplyDeletea) I wanted to talk about acid victims. Acid attacks are intentional acts of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour hydrochloric, sulfuric, or nitric acid onto victims’ faces and bodies. According to the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International, 80% of acid attacks are on women, and acid assaults are grossly under-estimated. In Bangladesh, throwing acid has been labeled as a "gender crime", as there is a dominance of female victims who are assaulted by males, for the reason of refusing to marry, or refusing sexual advances.
ReplyDeleteResearch has prompted many solutions to the increasing incidence of acid attacks in the world.
Firstly, I want to mention that Bangladesh, whose rates of attack have been decreasing, is a model for many countries, and they follow Bangladesh's lead in many legislative reforms.
Bangladesh is the only country that has adopted specific laws criminalizing acid violence and requiring business users of acid to obtain licenses. Full and effective implementation of the law, however, is still needed. Bangladesh has also enacted criminal legislation improving criminal procedures in acid attack cases and heightening criminal penalties.
Secondly, I want to write about Acid Survivors Trust International which has also delivered an impact. ASTI is a UK registered not-for-profit charity and the only international organisation whose sole purpose is to end acid violence at a global level. ASTI was founded in 2002 and has worked with a network of six local partners in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Uganda that it has helped to form.
With ASTI's help, local partners have provided direct support to thousands of survivors globally. They have helped to train hundreds of local surgeons in many countries including Pakistan, Nepal, India and Uganda, who in turn have treated thousands of survivors. Also focused on systemic change, changing laws and changing attitudes with the result being a sustained decrease in the number of acid attacks worldwide. ASTI has produced a series of studies focused specifically on acid violence. Research is key to informing, developing and implementing effective strategies for change. And finally, they raise valuable funds to support survivors of acid attacks
References:
https://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/cedaw_crc_contributions/AvonGlobalCenterforWomenandJustice.pdf
https://acidviolence.org
Question 1:
ReplyDeleteTW: sexual assault
In mexico there is a rape and killing crisis. Mexican women are murdered everyday at alarming rates. This urgent issue has been going on for decades now but most recently the statistics have gotten more alarming. Women are victims to sexual violence. The government has set laws to try and reduce the violence against women. There was a law established in 2007 called the General Law of Access for Women to a Life Free of Violence. This law labels the violence as Femicide which means a homicide targeted against women and girls based on their gender. The government isn’t helping so women have organized themselves and have pushed for a campaign to end violence and be heard. Every year in March there are intense protests to call people to action.
Based on our lectures I pick up on the peacebuilding principle and concept in global social work and how the women in Mexico are working towards it. These women are advancing peace through reducing hostilities. I believe that women are gathering and sharing their stories and pain and protesting while doing so. This validates their stories and is a good first step to generate peace in this difficult situation. That is a great first step towards peace building. To come together and gain validity and strength through the stories of other victims is not only important but generates passion. This passion is the driving force behind the protests that have made the government and media in Mexico pay more attention to the femicide cases.
References:
Távara, G., M. Brinton Lykes and A. Crosby (2017). "Standing in Between: The Healing Praxis of Mayan Women
Intermediaries in Post-Genocide Guatemala." Women & Therapy 41(1-2): 30-51