Despite the progress being made in gender equality, women continue to face different risks and dangers compared to men. These risks stem from various factors, including societal expectations, cultural norms, and economic inequality.
Here are ten areas where women are particularly vulnerable to danger.
1. Sexual Assault and Harassment
Women of all ages are at risk of sexual assault and harassment, a trauma that can have lifelong impacts on them.
The increased risk is due to patriarchal attitudes, victim blaming, and inadequate law enforcement, all of which create a culture of impunity for perpetrators. Women often fear reporting assault or harassment due to fear of retaliation or not being believed.
2. Domestic Violence
Physical, emotional, and psychological abuse in intimate relationships constitute domestic violence. Women continue to bear the brunt of this violence as traditional gender roles and beliefs devalue women.
Domestic violence often leads to life-threatening injuries, trauma, and death.
3. Honor Killings
A so-called “honor killing” is the murder of a person, usually a girl or a woman, who is perceived by the perpetrator to have brought shame or dishonor to their family or community.
These killings are motivated by patriarchal or authoritarian values, and are often enabled by weak or corrupt law enforcement.
4. Forced/Child Marriage
In many parts of the world, girls are married off at shockingly young ages, many of them against their will.
These marriages often rob girls of educational and career opportunities, and can lead to health complications like premature childbirth or sexually transmitted infections.
5. Femicide
Femicide is the killing of women simply because of their sex. It is a symptom of deep-seated misogyny, and is often carried out with impunity.
In some countries, femicide rates are alarmingly high, and social and administrative mechanisms that should protect women are either non-existent or weak.
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6. Reproductive Health
Women’s reproductive health has been a battleground for decades.
Lack of access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including family planning services, increases the risks of maternal mortality, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
7. Human Trafficking
Women and girls are disproportionally affected by human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. They are vulnerable due to poverty, lack of educational opportunities, gender inequality, and conflict or displacement.
8. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying affects everyone, but women are also particularly at risk, especially young women.
They often face online harassment and abuse, including cyber stalking and threats of sexual violence, which can affect their mental health and expose them to social exclusion.
9. Economic Exploitation
Women, especially those in developing countries, are often in low-paying jobs with limited job security. They also tend to have limited access to credit and other economic opportunities.
They continue to work more unpaid domestic duties, which limits their ability to work, to earn and build careers as they fulfill most of the household chores.
10. Discriminatory Laws and Policies
Although many governments have established laws and policies aimed at promoting women’s rights and gender equality, discrimination still persists.
These include legal frameworks that deny women control over their bodies, property ownership, and decision making.
Conclusion
Women’s safety and security should be a shared priority for all government authorities, institutions, communities, and individuals.
The social and economic costs of gender-based violence and discrimination are immeasurable and have far-reaching impact on the society as a whole. Women should be empowered through education, economic opportunities, and other measures that give them agency over their lives and choices.
Working towards creating safe and equal solutions for women’s welfare should be the collective responsibility of all.
