We all know the ways that violence against women affects bodies, minds and souls. Less understood are the broader impacts of violence on women’s economic lives, and how it impedes not only their personal development but that of their communities and even their nations.
On August 11, attendees at a Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation event called “Violence Against Women–An Obstacle to Development,” heard the full story. President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay testified that,
The physical and psychological consequences of such acts of violence often prevent women victims from participating in the reconstruction of their socio-economic environments. Weakened or rejected, they find themselves in situations of extreme poverty.
The health problems that result from violence are no small part of the problem. Violence against women often results in disability, infection and post-traumatic stress disorder. These problems are most acute in countries where ongoing violence against women has been used as a tactic of war: Half a million women were raped in Rwanda as part of the 1994 genocide; 60,000 women were raped during the war in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina; in Sierra Leone the number rose to at least 64,0000. Such large-scale violence inhibits activity even by women who have not individually suffered a rape or assault. As UNIFEM reported in 2002, when the environment is so unsafe that “women take a risk when they go out to the fields or on a road to a market” it means that they can hardly support themselves, contribute to the economy or participate in stabilizing their communities.
Violence leads to poverty; poverty exposes women to more violence. Human traffickers, for example, use promises of jobs and education to attract their victims. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [PDF], “Poverty forces many women and girls into occupations that carry a relatively high risk of sexual violence, like sex work,” and “poorer women are also more at risk of intimate partner violence.”
People might be surprised to learn that it’s not just war-torn nations that suffer economic losses because of rampant violence against women. The loss of productivity that results from violence impacts the economy right here at home:
A 2003 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the costs of intimate partner violence in the United States alone exceed $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses account for nearly $1.8 billion.
The American Institute for Domestic Violence calculates that “victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work each year, the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs.” Given that women have been disproportionately excluded from the current recovery, with 90 percent of the jobs created in the last 12 months going to men, 32,000 jobs is far more than we can afford to lose.
Both the UN and the American Institute for Domestic Violence have programs designed to address these problems. The Institute runs a program, “Domestic Violence Targets the Heart of American Business,” that trains business owners to address the impacts of domestic violence on the workplace. In 1996, The United Nations established a “Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women” intended to support policies that prevent violence, provide justice to victims, and promote accountability. But more must be done. Violence against women in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo is ongoing, where, since 2005, 32,000 cases of rape and sexual violence have been counted in South Kivu Province alone.
Feminists would do well to keep making the economic argument against violence, and make it loudly. Business owners, political leaders and even philanthropists might be persuaded to get more involved once they realize that one of the things at stake is their bottom line.
Photo from Flickr user sugarsnaptastic under Creative Commons 2.0
Cross-posted at hld6
I have sent numerous emails asking for help through the closest domestic violence contact person in Claremore, OK. Her name was Donna. She Never contacted me & have given up hope for help through ur organization. Ironically I used to be a volunteer for DVIS at the courthouse in Tulsa, OK, before my 14 yr. Marriage this Dec. 5th. At that time I was a.single mother getting off welfare & going to college to get an Associate Degree in Psychology at Tulsa Community College ( at that time it was called Tulsa Junior College). The class was called Crisis Intervention & my job was to assist those individuals filling Emergency Protective Orders against their violaters. At times certain individuals were illiterate & I would fill out the form for them & go before the judge in their behalf. Also my job was to take pictures with a Polaroid camera of their injury or injuries. Now I’m in a relationship with a man who has just had a triple bypass. He has always been mentally & financially abusive. I feel helpless & a sense of hopelessness. Sincerely, T.L. Mitchell
Have you tried the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault? Their number is (405) 524-0700. You could also try to National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224. Thanks for your years of service to the cause, and I hope you find help.
Dear Michelle,
You deserve to be free from any type of abuse. I would like to give you our web site. You can find some brochures and materials on our site if you go under resources and then click brochures. Please read But he Never Hit Me. You are an exmely good advocate and you know how to advocate for others. I encourage you to continue to take your power back. Here’s another resource that you can you at anytime Michelle it is for Virginia Family & Sexual Assault Hotline. We can be reach at 1-800-838-8238 it a 24hr hotline as well as confidential. You have every right to advocate for yourself.
Take Care of Yourself
kjones.
I find it incredibly demoralising that the only argument some people may listen to regarding domestic violence is one based in economics.
It is unfortunate indeed, that economics & the bottom line gets more attention than the issue, but I say whatever holds people accountable & brings the issues public – Let’s Go For It! I believe that more people know what they see & lack the courage to do something to stop the violence. Maybe they don’t want to risk “upsetting” the higher-ups, or calling them on their sinful & criminal behavior presents too much of a social or financial risk. Exposure is what’s needed, large teams of strong people who are willing to use their resources to go the extra mile to walk with these women and their children through the entire raging forest. Perhaps that team has the strength to see that civil & criminal cases have all the fuel they need to MAKE PUBLIC every act of the Perpetrator, Counselors, Violence Perpetrator Providers, Church Leaders, Police, Judges and Allies of those who empower these Violent Acts Against Women & Children! We Should FILL THE COURT-ROOMS, and show every person who is a part of the puzzle that we are watching & expecting SAFETY, RESTORATION & JUSTICE for those Women & Children who are Victims of Violence!