War Violence Against Women: Part 3 of 4

This video is “My Vagina was My Village" from The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.

In 1993 during the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the former Yugoslavia), over 20,000 women were raped as a systematic tactic of war, often in what were called “rape camps."

20 years later, the international community and media remain silent regarding justice for these women; less than 40 cases have been prosecuted (Amnesty International, October 31, 2012 ).

The 16th annual V-Day (started by Eve Ensler) will occur next month on February 14. V-Day calls for the end of violence against women and girls.

"One In Three Women On The Planet Will Be Raped Or Beaten In Her Lifetime. One Billion Women Violated Is An Atrocity. One Billion Women Dancing Is A Revolution. Join V-Day on 02.14.13. STRIKE, DANCE, RISE in your community & Demand an end to violence" (One Billion Rising).

War Violence Against Women: Part 2 of 4

Today, on January 24, 2013, women and girls are continuing to be assaulted in Syria and refugee camps (IRC’s Press Release). And no doubt women in other war zones, like Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, and Mexico are experiencing this as well. UN Women reports, “Women in war-torn societies can face specific and devastating forms of sexual violence, which are sometimes deployed systematically to achieve military or political objectives. […] Even after conflict has ended, the impacts of sexual violence persist, including unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and stigmatization.”

Rape and sexual violence aren’t supposed to be a part of war anymore (or life, for that matter). In 1949, the Geneva Convention stated, “Women shall be especially protected against any attack on their honour, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form of indecent assault.” And then in 2008, the UN Security Council reinforced this with Resolution 1820 which, among other things, “Demands the immediate and complete cessation by all parties to armed  conflict of all acts of sexual violence against civilians with immediate effect.” It stresses the importance that peace cannot and will not occur while sexual violence continues to exist.

Yesterday I blogged about rape occurring during war in Syria, I’m assuming by Syrian men. “Those men" (yesterday’s blog). But U.S. soldiers commit sexual violence as well, which the general population usually doesn’t hear about. “If you serve in the U.S. military and you rape or sexually assault a fellow service member, chances are you won’t be punished. In fact, you have an estimated 86.5% chance of keeping your crime a secret and a 92% chance of avoiding a court-martial” (CNN Opinion).

That leaves me to wonder, what are the chances of “keeping it a secret” if the assault is against a civilian in another country… especially during war? Because “war” is WAR. I found it challenging to find reliable sources for sexual violence incidents involving U.S. soldiers, but they’re there. In March 2006, U.S soldiers raped and killed a 14- or 15-year-old Iraqi girl (Washington Post and BBC News). And then in March 2012, one U.S. soldier (or many?) killed 9 children and 7 adults (including 2 women that had been raped) (BBC News and Steve Lendman’s Blog).

All this to say…???

3 days ago I would have considered myself quite knowledgeable about the often difficult plight of women worldwide. Turns out that even though I continue to educate myself about it, there’s still a lot I don’t know… or don’t connect with… or have a hard time believing it can be any worse.

Created in 2010, UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) offers useful information and resources, and “works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; empowerment of women; and achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security." I encourage you to check out the work they’re doing.

War Violence Against Women: Part 1 of 4

Today while I was driving home from work and listening to the radio, I heard this story broadcast on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” It’s 4 minutes long: “Rape A ‘Significant And Disturbing’ Feature Of Syrian War.”  It discusses the report that the International Rescue Committee released last week. The report states, “Syrians identified rape as a primary reason their families fled the country” (IRC’s Press Release).

When I think about war, the term “rape & pillage” comes to my mind without thinking twice. But then I stop myself and ask… who’s being raped? Women are being raped and violated. Girls are being raped and injured. And then I ask… who’s raping them? Sons are doing this. Brothers are committing this.

It would be easy to say, “Those people are raping those people."

“Those people”… this is a term that always makes me cringe in a conversation. “Those people” is a negative phrase that (by my personal definition) means “human beings who I do not attempt to identify with nor show sympathy for and, for all intents and purposes, is unlike me and is therefore my enemy.” I think it’s used as a defense mechanism to distance ourselves from others’ suffering. Once we’ve crossed over a line in our belief system, I believe it’s possible for one human being to abuse another human being and sincerely not recognize the act as immoral and unethical.

So, why am I discussing this on a Fertility Awareness blog? Because I am wholly invested in women and the truth of the matter is that women, here and around the world, are often oppressed and violated (i.e. browbeaten, subjugated, demoralized, exploited). Want to make a difference? Check out the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault.