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Harmful Traditional Practices and Violence against Women

Violence against women is the most traumatizing, evocative and political area of

discussion around the globe. Even if it not a direct issue of development, it affects the

development of women. It also restricts women from full participation in national development

as well as acquiring their expected share as per the effort they put in, in national development.

Not many research has been conducted concerning crime against women, but the general truth is

that since time immemorial, women in all continents of the world have been deemed weak as

compared to men. A clear explanation of violence against women is the contention of dominance

over them from the immoral instincts of the society (Choi, Moon, Patricia Brownell, and Stefana,

Moldovan, 2017, p174). Violence against women is not just physical strength representation of

men against women, but it also takes the form dominance assertion of power as well as riches

over the less fortunate women. The vigorous and abundant me expect women of lesser classes to

serve them in different ways among them being sexual favors and should women fail to comply

or say resist the advances of such men then, rape, molestation, and abduction occurs. In the past,

familial crime was not the familiar place, but many conquests throughout history have seen most

crimes happening. The victorious armies revenge over the women of conquered and made them

their slaves; they raped them, forced them into marriage, and even sold them to other places in

the entire universe. Violence against women is, therefore, not a new phenomenon and
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deliberating on it will enable the current societies as well as future generations to regard women

as unique creations equal to men and so encourage them to take part in national development as

well as partake in the cake of development.

Practices that undermine women endure in the whole world. Just lie foot-binding and

slavery, violence against women constitute egregious defilements of elementary human rights.

Women face such traditional practices as female genital mutilation, a crude act that has seen

some of them develop complications like difficult childbearing and even diseases like fistula.

Research indicates that almost 30% of all women in the world have been forced into these

practices with at least 3 million being at risk of undergoing the degrading practice of female

genital mutilation every year (Varcoe, Colleen, et al., 2017). Another method that seems to

violate the rights of women is killing in the name of honor; an act which claims hundreds of

thousands of young women lives every year, mostly in the Western parts of Asia, parts of South

Asia, and the Northern part of Africa.

Early marriage is yet another crude practice that has been part and parcel of human life

throughout history. This practice has violated the rights of women especially young girls whose

dreams are cut short in the simply because the society sees them as childbearing elements and

not those who can take part in national development. The forced early marriage of young women

causes lifetime psychological and physical problems, particularly those ensuing from early

childbirth. Obviously, the anatomy of young girls and adolescents being forced into early

marriage is not yet matured or say ready for bearing children, and when compelled to do, then

complications become the order of the day (Varol, Nesrin, et al., 2017, p80). In some emerging

countries, performances that subdue and harm women like killings as a way of honor, wife-

beating, female cutting, and dowry deaths; are overlooked and taken for regular practices just
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like other daily activities. In the entire Asia for example, male children are the most preferred,

and hence children of the female sex are neglected in the society.

In most developed nations, gender-based violence is legitimately condemned, but it

continues to persist, indirectly sanctioned by lessons in mass media. Infanticide of daughters or

their eradication by abortion in events where prenatal tests are obtained to ascertain the sex of the

fetus is commonplace, and this activity is a violation of women rights. It should be expected that

industrialized nations take the lead in the abolish of practices that violate women rights but no,

the violation of such nature has taken root from the word go and eliminating them is going to

take time, maybe decades or centuries before realizing women matters in the society and

empowering them means allowing the human race and hence development across the board. It

should also be noted that doing away with long-lived traditional practices cannot happen for one

night (Wachter, Karin, et al., 2017). To begin eradicating such practices, information and

advocacy which raise public concern should be eminent in the society. There should be the

change in the climate of public opinion regarding gender-based violence and other practices

which undermine the women and their freedom to life.

Types and Prevalence of Harmful Traditional Practices

There exist various ways of harmful traditional practices in the whole world; which

violate the human rights of women. Some of the acts are endemic to a particular region of the

world, whereas others are more prevalent. Some of the more widespread and harmful practices

which entail violence against the rights of female human beings as well as a violation of their

dignity are as illustrated hereunder:

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Female Infanticide, Son Preference, and Sex-Selective Abortions

Son prevalence is a tradition deeply rooted in gender inequality that is widespread in

most countries and established across classes and religions. The practice is, but, apparent in

nations located in South Asia, namely developing countries in that region, and where the society

view the continuity of male line as the important way of life and that eliminating women gives

more room for men to flourish and dominate the world. As such, women are violently treated and

in some cases, killed in favor of the male child who may take power and control the nation;

something women cannot do according to some reasoning.

Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation popularly known as (FGM) is the partial or in most cases the

total removal of the external genitalia of a female. It is majorly done for the sake of traditional

beliefs and out of the medical contexts. It is a practice that is carried out of the will or

willingness of the females. Studies indicate the practice barbaric and cause interference with the

natural function of the body. The practice has no health impact on the lives of the women. It is a

common practice on young girls from infants to the age of adolescent. World Health

Organization has information that over 100 million females around the globe have undergone

FGM (Wachter, Karin, et al., 2017). It is common for adult women. The practice is carried out

in about 28 countries in Africa and more widespread in nations at the Horn and Sahel. The

practice is more prevalent in Egypt and some parts of Yemen. It is also common in some areas of

Asia in countries, for instance, Malaysia, Indonesia and partly in the USA for the migrant

groups.
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The reasons contributing to the practice of FGM are not far much that the social-cultural

excuses. It alludes that the practice is part of the local culture and in the prevent that is practiced

in the current world then it must have been passed on from one generation to the other in the

wake of time. Practicing of FGM bears a closer similarity with the practice of ethnicity. To some

communities, FGM marks cultural identity. If it is used for cultural identity, then FGM stands

out to create the cultural impetus for future continuation of the practice in most parts of the

world. The underlying reason that is offered by those imposing the practice on females is that it

controls the behavior of women while they are young, a character that they are expected to carry

in their later lives as married women. (Shiferaw, Desalegn, et al., 2017, p73). It is through FGM

that arguments on the control of virginity in women as well as capturing immorality are

explained. Some communities carry out the practice in the name of ensuring marital fidelity. The

essence is to control deviant sexual behavior.

Consequences of FGM

The effects of FGM are however far-reaching. FGM causes medical necessities which

upon the occurrence of the process is irredeemable or say irreversible. The practice has claimed

health damage for most women as well as girls. FGM is also unnecessary as it causes the long-

term impact on one's emotional health, causes sexual problems as well the physical reproductive

organs of women. FGM in general causes some chronic and acute health effects on the victims. It

has far-reaching dire consequences on the female reproductive health. There is also a high risk of

death and other hazards of death via hemorrhage. One can also die from the shock of pain and

the high level of trauma which accompanies the process of carrying out FGM. This mostly

happens to the females who are not of the opinion, but they are forced into it by the community.
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There are a few studies that have dealt with effects of FGM in as far as emotional and

mental health is concerned. The studies have helped discover that FGM causes different degrees

of difficulties emotionally as well. As a result of some psychiatric disorders in the victims. There

is also the psychological aspect that may affect the victim which can emerge as a loss of trust

in the closest member of the family say a parent who forces the child into getting involved in

the traditional practice out of will (Choi, Moon, Patricia Brownell, and Stefana, Moldovan,

2017, p174). In many cases, the girl child is accompanied to the midwife without prior

knowledge by the family members. It is disappointing when the girls learn it out later that they

are to be mutilated without prior knowledge.

Intervention to FGM

FGM was taken for a human rights issue way back in the 1990s. It was recognized as a

worldwide human rights violation, and since then activists and the international bodies have

worked towards eradicating the infringement on women. The practice from a closer look

infringes on the rights of women in many ways. The rights infringed on by FGM constitutes to

the fundamental human rights for women. The Female Genital Mutilation as a whole is a

violation of right of the woman for access to safe and accurate health as well as health

information, the right for free from any form of violence, ones right to life in relation to right to

physical integrity, the right to freedom of cruelty and any kind of inhuman treatment as well as

the right to non-discrimination (Shiferaw, Desalegn, et al, 2017, p75). FGM is a vice at the

current state of things and should be fought out from within the communities to end the taunting

experiences that women undergo since the disadvantages of the practice out weight the benefits.
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Son Preference (Feticide)

It has been a practice that has taken root in society for from time immemorial. Female

feticide, for instance, is a malicious practice that entails the detection as well as the abortion of

the female fetus because of preference for male babies. It is also based on the notion of little

value associated with giving birth to female children. Its knowledge is mostly cultivated by

either the mother or father or in other cases the external family pressure. The incidences occur all

over the world. The selective abortion of the fetus on the grounds of inferiority and low value for

their being brought into the world has significantly contributed to the drop of the female-male

ration in some countries say for example in India where we have a ratio of 93 women for every

100 men. Bangladesh and Afghanistan also face the problem of fewer men to women ratio.

There are 94 women for every 100 men. The abortion of the female child at the expense of

seeking the male child is way barbaric.

Female children in some nations India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and a few others are

reducing in number on a daily routine. It is way worse and should be blamed by the international

human rights bodies as well as expose practicing regions to education for awareness and

emancipation. May it be said that women are as valuable as men and so preference of one gender

over the other is an unfair way of addressing the issue. There is the growing violence against

women in nations like India. The Indian census is enough proving of the mistreatment that the

female fetus undergo.

The disparities in the Indian census in favor of women can be explained better by the

fact that people prefer men to women children and the only solution to that come through
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feticide. It is common in the interior parts of the nation. It is taunting to the family members

especially the mothers who bear the pain delivery when they are forced into carrying out

abortion in favor of the will of the household. This happens for instance when the mother is not

of the opinion. There are however other consequences to the mother. The premature termination

of pregnancies may lead to the mother developing complications during subsequent pregnancies.

In as much as it is inhuman to the fetus, it is also a risky procedure for mothers who engage in

the abortion of the child. It also comes along with trauma and psychological stress.

Intervention Plan

The government of India has set up policies termination of pregnancies in favor of either

the male or female child. There are also programs that have been put in place in the country to

help educate the public on the importance of children irrespective of gender. The other fear of

the girl little that they have to pay dowry which is a traditional belief is sickening and should be

realized that dowry payment cannot amount to the loss of life that is precious on its own (Choi,

Moon, Patricia Brownell, and Stefana, Moldovan, 2017, p174). The only source of help in the

scenario is the public change of the mind about females. Change can only come through the

transformation of the mind by the Indian population. The change of how they perceive things

which only comes through education. Any move by the government can only be subverted by the

people unless there is a comprehensive educational strategy to cover across the entire public

Early and Forced Marriages

Speaking of early marriage and forced marriages brings a contention over the

appropriate age for the wedding. It is even worse in societies where marriage is considered as a
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prerogative and as such children were not consulted over the age of marriage neither the time to

get married. In the present day, it is assumed that a child is free for the wedding after completion

of school which in any case is the college in most parts of the world. Children could not get the

time as well as the freedom to express their will in marriage in societies in the past. Some

cultures still believe in forced marriages even at the present world at the expense of dowry and

marriage gifts from the suitor's side. The physical readiness for sex, however, was taken as a

consideration in collaboration with the child-bearing abilities. The latter was a responsibility of

some chosen adults who would carry out the supervision to arrange for the wedding separately

from the marriage consummation. The family had the dull mandate of taking over the marriage

guidance until later when religion was accepted into it.

Prevalence and Occurrence

Forced marriage, as well as early marriages, have been a practice that has been followed

widely in many continents of the world. In Africa and South Africa to be particular, there is the

"Ukuthwala" which is the forced abduction of young girls and forcefully ushering them into

marriage carried out with the consent of the parents and out of the will of the girls. The girls that

are involved in the practice are way too young as eight years. In some countries, for instance,

Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, the practice is still endowed and carried out openly even more

than it is done in South Africa. Madagascar, as well as Niger, practices the women abduction at

the watch of institutions that should bring sanity in the whole matter. The method has been

declared illegal in most countries, but because of lack of a valid law for enforcement with the

help of the government as well as private agents in the name of agencies, it is still taking place in

the background. It is common in the rural areas amongst people who still consider it as part and

parcel of their traditional and cultural heritage. It is also used as an avenue for getting citizenship
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in Britain where a section of the British Pakistan society who find pride in the practice as well as

take it for social obligation and in favor of their parents' wishes.

Reasons for Forced Marriages

Early as well as forced marriages have complex reasons as to why they came into place.

The reasons are dependent on people's circumstances and the context through which the practice

is done. It should be noticed that women and girls in such societies occupy lower positions and

status courtesy of the attitudes, traditions, and beliefs which deny them the rights to be

equivalent to men. The reason for early and forced marriages in some communities is for the

preservation of the family honor as girls keep virginity. The parents push the children into

marriage before their virginity is tempered with and the reason is that marriage would safeguard

against immorality and the associated behavior.

Consequences

There are a few studies that have dealt with effects of forced marriages in as far as

emotional and mental health is concerned. The studies have helped discover that how forced and

early marriages cause different degrees of difficulties emotionally as well. As a result of some

psychiatric disorders in the victims (Cao, Elisabetta de, et al., 2017, p70). There is also the

psychological aspect that may affect the victim which can emerge as a loss of trust in the closest

member of the family say a parent who forces the child into getting involved in the traditional

practice out of the will. In many cases, the girl little is accompanied to the midwife without prior

knowledge by the family members. It is disappointing when the girls learn it out later that they

are to be mutilated without prior knowledge. The practice increases on the powerlessness nature

of women and poverty.

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Violation Leveled Against Women Violates Human Rights

Abuse against women violates human rights as well as significant human rights of

women and its stands in between gender equality. Because of such blatant practices, women are

never treated equally in the face of men making them lack a chance to air their problems

publically simply because, in the whole human race, a dominating male society endure. Even

though, women, just like men, should be entitled to equal human rights for them to enjoy and be

protected. Women rights and freedom should especially be protected if the society aims to make

long strides in the form of development and to champion for men and women rights alike.

Human rights and freedom which women should enjoy and be protected at are: right to equality,

right to life, right to liberty and security of persons, right to equal protection under law, rights to

the peak standards of physical and mental health, rights to be free from all forms of

discrimination, and more still rights to just and favorable conditions of work.

Violence leveled against women is a social, health, economic, political welfare problem

and not a secluded problem of every woman or family. The violation of this form is composed of

all forms of abuse that ends in physical, psychological, or sexual harm and or suffering to

women. Violence against women also incorporate threats with acts such as coercion and arbitrary

withdrawal of liberty, either taking place in the public or private life of individuals (Cao,

Elisabetta de, et al., 2017, p72). The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence

against Women highlights different forms of violence against women that includes, but not

limited to marital rape and abuse in a relationship, violence taking place in the family, sexual

harassment in the workplace, forced prostitution, trafficking in women and young girls with

intention of sexual and other forms of exploitation, abortion of female fetus as well as infanticide

of young girls, customary practices harmful to women like genital cut/mutilation, early and
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forced marriages, widow burning, war rape, and even acid attacks. Violence against women is

therefore as a result of rooted gender parity in societies and existing structures of power in

gender relations. It is established in cultural patterns, specifically in harmful influences of

individual practices or traditions, religious beliefs, education systems, and mass media

influences.

Practices to Bring Violence against Women to Book

As said earlier, violence against women and young girls is established in gender-based

discrimination and customs as well as gender stereotypes that disseminate such viciousness. Due

to overwhelming effects violence has on women, efforts to eradicate such practices have mainly

been centered o responses as well as services for survivors. But, the best way to deal with

violence against women and young girls is to put in measures that will prevent it from occurring

in the first place by tackling its root and structural causes (Varcoe, Colleen, et al., 2017).

Preventing violence against humans of the female gender should begin early in life, by

humanizing and working with young girls and boys to promote a respectful relationship and

equality between the sexes. Working with adolescents is the best way for faster and sustainable

progress on preventing and doing away with violence based on gender. Even though public

policies and interventions watch over the stage mentioned above in life, it is a crucial time in life

as values and norms around gender equality are forged at this juncture in life.

Prevention of gender-based violence entails supporting the enactment of the agreed

suppositions of the session of Commission on the Status of Women which placed a strong

concentration on prevention via the promotion of gender parity and empowerment of women and

their enjoyment of human rights. Stopping the violence also means making the public and home
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spaces safe for girls and women by making sure the economic status of women and their security

is beforehand (Shiferaw, Desalegn, et al., 2017, p76). There should also be an increased women

participation in nation building while including them in making informed decisions both in

relationships and home and in public life like politics. The reason why women and men should

work together is that it helps in the acceleration of progress in the stoppage of gender-based

violence. For the society to end the violence of such manner, it can begin by challenging the

deeply established inequalities and social norms that prolong the men's power and control over

women reinforcing tolerance gender-based violence. Rising of awareness as well as mobilization

of the community through media and social platforms is as important if gender violence is to be

brought to book.

Education aiming at prevention of violence against women is paramount in every society

in the entire universe. United Nations in collaboration with World Association of Girl Scouts and

Girl guides has come up with a world-formal education program to involve youths in efforts to

curb violence against women and girls. Through their slogan "Voices against Violence," these

organizations have developed a curriculum that suits different age groups as from five to twenty-

five years. The program gives young men and women an education of its kind that contains tools

and knowledge to comprehend the causes of violence in communities (Cao, Elisabetta de, et al.,

2017, p74). The program also educates and engages peers and societies to help end gender-based

violence, and to get an education of where to obtain support should violence ensue. The program

is in the form of a handbook which peer mentors can use in their verge to deliver education that

is by a particular age. Young children begin off by storytelling and play games that stimulate

their minds to ponder over stereotypes and gender bias. Older individuals are taught t6o resist
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any form of gender-based violence and help women and younger girls out of the gender shackles

that seem to bound women sex for a long time in history.

Works Cited

Cao, Elisabetta de, et al. "Community conversations as a strategy to change harmful traditional

practices against women." Applied Economics Letters 24.2 (2017): 72-74.

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Choi, Moon, Patricia Brownell, and Stefana I. Moldovan. "International movement to promote

human rights of older women with a focus on violence and abuse against older

women." International social work 60.1 (2017): 170-181.

Shiferaw, Desalegn, et al. "Prevalence and associated factors of female genital mutilation among

high school students in Dale Wabera Woreda, Oromia Regional State,

Ethiopia." International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 9.6 (2017): 72-78.

Varcoe, Colleen, et al. "Reclaiming Our Spirits: Development and pilot testing of a health

promotion intervention for Indigenous women who have experienced intimate partner

violence." Research in Nursing & Health (2017).

Varol, Nesrin, et al. "Evidence-based policy responses to strengthen health, community and

legislative systems that care for women in Australia with female genital

mutilation/cutting." Reproductive health 14.1 (2017): 63.

Wachter, Karin, et al. "Drivers of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Three Refugee

Camps." Violence Against Women(2017): 1077801216689163.