KUALA LUMPUR, 5 March 2009 – Behind the closed door of a family home, a woman is being beaten while her children hide in the bedroom, unable to help or stop listening.
According to the UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children 2006, up to 275 million children worldwide are estimated to witness domestic violence every year, proving that some of the biggest victims of domestic violence are the smallest and most vulnerable. Even when they are not directly being abused, children suffer greatly when they are exposed to violence in their homes, particularly when perpetrated between or against their parents.
International Women's Day, celebrated this year under the theme, ‘Women and Men: United to End Violence against Women’, is an opportunity to throw open these closed doors and understand the impact of domestic violence on children.
Worldwide, at least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten,coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. In Malaysia, 485 cases of violence against women were reported to the Department of Social Welfare in 2006.
Come yee all daughters, sons and husbands-Watch this touching song video as my tribute to all women and mothers on earth on this meaningful International Women`s Day
Domestic abuse also perpetuates a cycle of violence for the next generation. Children who grow up with violence in the home learn to use violence in interpersonal relationships to dominate others. For instance,boys who saw their mothers being abused are more likely to grow up and abuse their wives.
This cycle must be stopped so that children can have the routine and normalcy that they deserve in their childhood, and be given the right to develop to their fullest potential.“Every child has the right to be protected from all forms of violence,including violence perpetrated against their loved ones. Children need to grow up in an environment that is safe and secure, where they learn that domestic violence is wrong,” said Mr Youssouf.
As 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, governments are reminded of the promise they made towards all children 20 years ago, and their obligations to protect children from violence, even if it means intervening in “private” spheres. Mr Youssouf stressed the need to engage men and boys in the fight against domestic violence, by mobilising them to recognise the needs of children exposed to domestic violence, as well as encouraging them to change attitudes and traditions that condone abuse.
Beyond the lifelong consequences for children, violence against women has enormous social and economic costs, and poses a serious threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. “If the world is to protect the rights of children, then we must do more to prevent violence against women and promote gender equality,” stressed MrYoussouf.
A world fit for children is also a world fit for women – one cannot exist without the other.
So WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT? YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!!!!
VOICESFROMFAR WISHES ALL OUR FELLOW WOMAN-LISTERNERS NEAR AND FAR `HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN`S DAY `..YOU ARE THE POWER AND BEACON IN YOUR FAMILIES...
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