Are you with her?
Currently it looks like a lot of us are looking for ways we can improve the world around us. I can’t help but think that women’s rights and freedoms as stated in Article I of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are in jeopardy. Per the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women have experienced either sexual assault or domestic violence in their lifetime. Violence is something that can affect any woman at any time.
Durango has a history, or herstory, of addressing violence against women with multiple organizations opening over the last 40 years. While we do have great agencies in Southwest Colorado, violence against women will continue to persist unless we do something about it.
The community needs to take an active and progressive role in addressing the issues that perpetuate violence against women. First, our community needs to take a stand against violence as a means of conflict resolution. If you see or experience abusive behavior call 911 or one of our local hotlines to discuss interventions. Display patterns of healthy relationships. Both parties in a relationship should feel as if they have economic independence and the ability to negotiate decisions.
Gender equality can reduce violence against women. High levels of female empowerment buffer women against domestic violence, while strong notions of male dominance increase domestic violence. We need to address current definitions of masculinity across cultures that put women at risk.
Women will sometimes not report a case of domestic violence because they are worried about the civil repercussions of police intervention. If women must choose between police brutality or deportation and domestic violence they will often stay in their abusive relationships to not run the risk of lost wages on their partners’ behalf. Women need access to shelters, affordable housing and welfare programs that empower them to leave their abusive situations. We as a community can do more to advocate on the behalf of women so that sexual assault and domestic violence do not affect a woman’s right to dignity, equality and justice.
Jennifer Wheeler
Durango
