Violence has been a worldwide issue for centuries, affecting millions of people globally. The United Nations has taken the initiative of reducing violence in half by 2030 through its Sustainable Development Goals.

With this goal in mind, we will discuss the ways that we can reduce violence to ensure a peaceful and safe world for everyone.

Understanding the Types of Violence

Before we can begin reducing violence, we must first identify the types of violence. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified violence into three categories:.

Interpersonal violence
Self-directed violence
Collective violence

Interpersonal violence involves physical, sexual, or psychological harm that occurs between individuals. This type of violence can occur within a family, a relationship, or in public settings.

Self-directed violence refers to suicidal behaviors, self-harm, and other acts of self-inflicted harm.

Collective violence occurs when groups or communities engage in violent acts such as riots, war, and genocide.

Factors Contributing to Violence

Various factors may contribute to violence, such as social, cultural, economic, and political factors. These include:.

Poverty
Unemployment
Discrimination
Gender Inequality
Access to Weapons
Cultural and Religious Differences
Political Instability
Drug and Alcohol Abuse

It’s essential to address and eliminate these factors to minimize the prevalence of violence around the world.

Preventing Violence at the Community Level

Preventing violence requires the participation of the community. Here are a few ways that communities can prevent violence:.

Raise Awareness – Educate community members about violence types, how to recognize and report it
Create Safe Spaces – Establish areas in the community where residents can gather safely
Resolve Disputes Without Violence – Provide conflict resolution skills and resources for managing disputes peacefully
Intervene and Help Targets – Encourage and empower bystanders to intervene and support those who are targeted
Implement Gun Control – Promote laws and regulations for owning and carrying weapons
Provide Education and Employment Opportunities – Enhance opportunities to improve education and employment access
Address Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Provide resources and support for those struggling with addiction
Support Mental Health – Offer mental health services and resources to target populations to promote mental and emotional health

National Strategies for Reducing Violence

Along with community efforts, national governments must take actions to reduce violence. Governments can establish national strategies to prevent violence, such as:.

Establishing Laws and Regulations – Governments should create laws and regulations that outline acceptable behavior for citizens to prevent violence.
Promoting Justice and Safety – Ensuring that the justice system enforces these laws and rules to maintain safety, using these tools to protect citizens.
Finance Violence Prevention Programs – Funding early prevention strategies has proven to be an effective method for preventing violent incidents from happening.
Investing in Public Health – Governments should prioritize public health because enabling citizens to be healthy and safe also reduces the likelihood of confrontational situations that may lead to violence.
Promote Equality – Everyone should be treated equally, so non-discriminatory policies should be established in various sectors such as education, health, employment, and law enforcement agency.
Engage Communities – Encourage constructive engagement by reaching out to community leaders, NGOs, social service organizations, and other stakeholders to improve violence prevention efforts.

International Cooperation to Reduce Violence

To create safe and peaceful environments globally, international cooperation is necessary. Collaborative action on violence prevention on both regional and global levels should be taken into account. Some International initiatives include:.

The United Nations Studies and Development Goals (SDGs) – The SDG 16 is aimed at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) – WHO works to strengthen the violence prevention policies and initiatives in different countries worldwide.
International Agreements and Conventions – International efforts aimed at preventing acts of violence, promoting peace and advocating for non-violent resolution to the conflict.
NGO -NGOs play a vital role in implementing the violence prevention initiatives.

Conclusion

Reducing violence in half by 2030 is a massive project, but with global collaborative efforts from governments and NGOs worldwide, it can become achievable.

National strategies for reducing violence at the community and global levels are essential, as well as universal steps such as the implementation of gun control, promotion of non-discriminatory policies, and support for mental and emotional health promotion. With everyone’s involvement, we can make a significant impact on reducing violence.