Initially, in my capacity, we began a programme among others on FGM which is highly prevalent in the regions i have work(ed) in (esp in Somalia) but then this proved to be sidelined on three levels (1) that where there is war the priority is obviously to secure life; (2) that there were other multiple and gross violations occurring on a daily basis; and (3) the mystification/development of Violence Against Women (VAW) to Gender Based Violence (GBV) to Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and back to GBV.

So now we rethought our approach with the same resolve to make a significant difference on GBV in a failed state situation, and have sought the holistic women's human rights approach, encouraging early warning systems to prevent rather than cure, lobbying and advocating to relevant stakeholders (I mean everyone), and this is so far as we have come. I hope to keep you posted with greater results & that what I share here illuminates where it is bleak to see otherwise.

for now: el, KENYA

I must say the Man Up campaign is very inspiring and fills me with hope. Coincidentally, yesterday I posted something on my blog about violence against women in Brazil - and relating to my experience and Zainab Salbi's speech in the G(irls) 20 Summit, held in Canada, in June 2010.

Check it out if it interests you: www.thais.girlsandwomen.com

During the last month 6 Italian women died: they were killed by their ex-boyfriends because they had the strenght to stop a relationship made of jealousy, violence and personal limitations. These women decided that it was time to wake up and to end up a relationship that was no longer love but only possessive. They had the courage to act and react but what for?
Their lives found a drammatical ending and in most of the cases even for the families left behind there is no justice, because the perpetrators of these deeds killed themselves.

Most of these women, after ending up their relationships, became victims of stalking and went to the police because they did not feel safe. Unfortunately, stalking is a growing phenomenon that is up to now not properly considered and punished. In some rare cases, women and men, too, find justice but they don't know for how long their peaceful living will last. And this uncertainty is limitating in every-day-life and blocks personal development.

I think, even stalking should be seen as a form of violence many women are subject to. And the victims are by far more than we can imagine. It is a psychological form of violence that can degenerate in physical violence. And it is subtle and latent. This is maybe why, in global and international agendas the problem is not very present.
Physical violence in all its aspects and facets (and there are too many still existing all around the world) is more visible because it leaves signs but psychological violence and pressure is invisible and creates a lot of harm. It diminuishes the self esteem and self-consciousness of a woman. And no one talks about it or considers stalking as it is: violence that generates even more violence.

In the campaigns against violence in every form and everywhere men should be included, too. It should be worked with them to understand the causes of their violence and give them different approach to their violence: transformation of the negative energy of violence into something positive and productive.

Thanks to everybody who shared her/his ideas on the blog

Sincerely
Eliana

Dear Jimmy Briggs - I have spent several years now working with A Window between Worlds (awbw.org) and Haven House, (www.havenhousela.com) the first domestic violence shelter of it's kind, founded in the 60's here in So. Cal.

I teach creativity/writing/art to women in crisis and domestic violence survivors so I see, hear and witness the issues facing these women and their children first hand - the abuse is VERY real. Having been trained by the State of CA in domestic violence education, I know that the US and the world are just beginning to wake up to domestic violence issues - for example, many police dept's around this country still believe that the woman provoked the beating, the man is hardly at fault. Many countries believe women are nothing more than chattel - and yet, these women still keep going, a testament to

"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

I recently taught a class for WIndows and their Survivors Art Circle on fear - befriending it, making it useful and ultimately learning how to live with it, for it never truly goes away. Women who have left their abuser even years and years ago, still have wounds and scars that are healing ... the beautiful thing to know about these women is that their courage and determination is remarkable - to never ever "see themselves through his eyes" again is a promise they keep to themselves and their children.

I applaud your efforts and would like to introduce you to a remarkable man named Victor La Cerva MD, who is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1984, VIctor co-created the new Mexico Men's Wellness Movement and works with young men mentoring them on how to be peaceful, not violent. If you would like to connect with him, please let me know - I will be seeing Victor next week and will make the introduction.

I wish you my best - please let me know how I can be of greater service - patricia varga, A Woman with Wings

Armand, that is quiet an excellent strategy in involing men/ boys in the GBV advocacy. yes! I feel quiet ok with that approach but just as Jade said; it seem quiet simple and yet many women are still victims of violence.