Ending violence against women

The featured speaker was H.E. Ambassador Josephine Ojiambo from the Republic of Kenya. She indicated that violence is the most widespread violated of all the human rights. It involves all cultures, races and religions and effects the poor, and the rich.

A few of the suggestions made to end the violence included advocating for legal action and to limit the numbers of either sex in the power of a government.

Another presenter, Jacqueline Moruti Ogega of Religions for Peace offered the comments that restoring dignity is a necessary step for both individuals involved in violence; the victim and the perpetrator. In addition, when it is only women who raising children, the boys can internalize a threat when it is only the mother and it is important for men to raise boys, too. These inner fears and conflicts can then be projected on the outsdie world.

Ven. Dr. Cung Ohun Lee, Executive Director, UN Affairs and Interreligious Work, Won Buddhism International offered that even women marginalize women and do very subtle violence on girls and other women. Mothers might let the boys study but ask for the girls to help with the housework ( and thereby depriving the girls the chance to study).

The presentations finished with a pledge from Religions for Peace for Restoring Dignity: A commitment to end violence against women.

My personal pledge:

As a person of faith, I am aware that my religion recognizes the fundamental dignity of every woman and man. I know—according to my religious tradition—that the true dignity of every woman is given by and rooted in the Sacred. This dignity is inviolable.

I recognize with deep sadness that violence against women is still prevalent. It occurs in public and in the privacy of the home. It is unspeakably hurtful to women and girls. It also damages families, communities, and ultimately all of us. Violence against women takes many forms, including domestic violence, rape and its use as a weapon of war, the practice of forced marriages of girl children, the bearing of the brunt of extreme poverty and the selective aborting of unborn females, among others.

Eliminating violence against women and girls is both a religious duty and personal obligation. Doing so will also nourish all of us for healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Therefore, I pledge personal action and practical leadership to:

•Restore the dignity of women and girls who have been violated.

•Respect the inviolable dignity of women and girls that is fundamental to my religious teaching.

•Promote efforts that support and protect survivors of violence against women.

•Actively advance public awareness and engagement of religious communities to address violence against women and girls.

•Reject any misuse of religion or culture to justify violence against women and girls.

•Lead by example to promote respectful relations among women and men, boys and girls.