Women, Gender and Human Rights

Is Domestic Violence a Breach of Human Rights

The problem brought forth by the unequal distribution of power in intimate relationships in developing countries has caused not only oppression but also violence against women . Criminal acts such as rape hitting , verbal abuse and other related violent behaviors are being experienced by a significant number of women all over the world . As such , this research seeks to establish the link between domestic violence and human rights . Not until recently that the United Nations (UN ) has decided to include the issue of Violence against Women

(VAW ) on the mainstream of the human rights paradigm . As such this research will be looking on the anatomy of DV and the laws related to its implementation . More specifically , the research has the following objectives

To properly define Domestic Violence (DV ) and other concepts related on the notion of DV

To identify the incidences on DV that could be significantly related on the issue of Human Rights Violation

To identify the laws set forth by the United Nations that verifies the link of DV to the issue of human rights violations and specifically cite provisions that further explains the rights of women and the degree of protection that is due to them

To identify the campaigns this aims to further protect the rights of women

To know why it took so long for DV to be recognized as a Human Rights Issue

Background of the Problem

Domestic violence is a form of violence against women . Violence Against Women (VAW ) as defined by the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993 ) is any act of gender-based violence that results in , or is likely to result in , physical , sexual or metal harm or suffering to women , including threats of such acts , coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty , whether occurring in public or in private life

This definition then emphasizes that any act that forces women to do certain things that result to any type of harm is considered as an act of DV . More importantly , the scope of DV has been made broad as it encompasses not only DV in terms of the household , but also certain oppression against women that might happen in the latter 's course of relating towards people

Violence against women includes the physical , sexual and psychological violence that happens in the family or the community which includes battering , sexual abuse of children , dowry related violence , rape female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women , non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation , sexual harassment and intimidation at work , in educational institutions and elsewhere , trafficking in women , forced prostitution , and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state ' More specifically , the World Health Organization (WHO ) claimed that the violence against women does not only poses human rights issue but also contains other problems such as health and social concerns

This definition then provided by WHO further elaborates the definition provided by VAW . More importantly , the threats upon the health of women that...