Defining Women

Defining Women

At the beginning of the third millennium domestic violence and abuse is still a major problem for millions of women around the world . The main problem is that law in some communities does not come into force being violated . In many communities women are not legally protected and have no possibility to protect themselves : sexual , physical and emotional violence are the major weapon of intimidation of women . In some communities , family violence is a result of traditions and values as an integral part of cultural development (Women 's Rights . 2004

p Indigenous women are the most unprotected category which experiences violence within the institution of marriage . It was found that violence between Indigenous people is more likely to be directed at intimates than at strangers , with Indigenous women in rural and remote Western Australia being 45 times more likely to be a victim of domestic violence (by which they mean assaulted by their spouse or partner ) than non-Indigenous women (Keel , 2004 . Among this group of women sexual abuse and physical violence are the main forms of humiliation and oppression . Just as feminists have sought to define rape as an act of violence , not a sexual act , it is right to remember that what is at stake in sexual abuse of an indigenous woman is the expression of male 's power and an inapposite sexual relationship . For , although sexual abuse is classless , it is nevertheless the expression of deep-structured inequalities - between men and women

The vast majority of sexual abuse is perpetrated by non-Indigenous men It is thus proper that feminists , who have done most to expose the problem , should continue to urge its identification as one particular expression of masculinity and male violence against women . Not only does this claim constrain the possible acceptable explanations of sexual abuse , but it also sets the agenda for any solution , especially in recommending long-term and radical changes in the respective status of men and women . On the other hand , many cases of rape and sexual assault occurred in a domestic situation , yet these are rarely identified as rape by Indigenous women or addressed as rape by the courts (Keel , 2004 . Very often , the cases of physical violence are not reported , because women afraid of their husbands and possible negative consequences for their families . To some extent , this situation and women oppression is caused by religion dogmas and traditions play the crucial role in their communities . The main preventive measures against family violence include social programs organized by women 's organizations , legislative initiatives accepted in the national level petitions , publicity , involvement of Amnesty International 's global campaign (Canada , 2006

The other group of women under analysis is Filipino women . While western women with a dramatic growth in democracy and decline in colonialism fought for their rights , Filipino and Indigenous women are still lived under double oppression , cultural and legal . According to the report The most common of these in the Philippines are rape , incest , spouse or partner sexual abuse , sexual harassment , prostitution , trafficking...