Violence against women is a serious issue that not many people know of, because Violence against women

has long been shrouded in a culture of silence. (UNFPA) Worldwide, one in three women has been beaten, coerced into unwanted sexual relations, or abused-often by a family member or acquaintance.

 Violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. -United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (December, 20, 1993)

Violence is caused when - Theres less income at home - Family beliefs that men are greater than women - Men wants to get control over their wives

Domestic Violence: Physical assault and bodily injury. Worse than cancer, accidents, or malaria Psychological abuse: Violence through words that can harm women

Domestic Violence Throws Something Pushes Hit with Fist Grabs Beat up Shoves Slaps Kicks Bites Threaten with a gun Or use it at partner

Psychological torture Verbal degradation: Saying words that shame women; Unpleasant words that hurt women Threats to kill/hurt

PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Startling easily, emotional numbness, irritability or aggressiveness, get exposure to violence and negative health outcomes. 31% to 84% of all battered women receive PTSD. Psychological abuse paralyzes women, and makes them helpless and stuck. PTSD usually develop from this abuse.

What can women do? Nothing!!! - Women cant flee their violent homes, because might have a child to care for - Doesnt have a job!! - Parents are distant, unable, or unwilling to help. Contd.

- Might be scared to lose friends, family through talking to them. - No Money or Property - Women or child might be in poor health - The abuser might have threatened the women

Some brave women tries to end abusive relationships by fleeing their husbands.
However, these women fall into worse situations. 45% of women who fled were murdered by former partner. Women became assaulted, stalked, and threatened of murder

As, you see, these women are all helpless They think that nothing can be done about their situation, they become passive, depressed, fearful, and psychologically paralyzed. Memory distortion, sleep/eating disorders, and medical problems occurs. Women often live in fear and remember the flashbacks of violent thoughts even long after the event had passed.

As you see, these women cant avoid or escape the violence

They are STUCK!!!

They need our HELP.. WE can rescue them!!!

How YOU can help.. - Go to organizations that deals with violence against women. - Donate to them, volunteer for them, become a member of the organizations, or participate actively in helping them.

Organizations you can help: Amnesty International NOW (National Organizations for Women) UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women).

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi

THANK YOU!!!!