Spain’s prime minister has initiated a crusade against domestic violence in Europe, personifying it as the nastiest form of human rights violations.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero President of the government of Spain preceded by Jose Maria Aznar had asserted in his election campaign in 2004 that his government would look into the matters domestic violence in his nation.
Statistically:
1. A quarter of women in Europe have suffered physical or sexual attack
2. 2m women victim of these abuses are of Spain alone
3. At least one woman dies every week in Spain at the hands of her partner
4. Thousands stay in abusive relationships because, they say, there is nowhere else to go
5. During 1997, more than 60 women were brutally murdered by their partners including a 35-year-old woman who was knifed to death and a 60-year-old woman who was doused with petrol and burnt alive by her husband. In spite of her repeated complaints to the police officials, she received no justice and later she was found dead.
6. 1,900 others reported being attacked by husbands or boyfriends
7. Nearly 100 women were murdered by their partner or a male family member in 2004
8. Since January this year, 74 women have been killed
Possible Reasons:
1. Patriarchal culture
2. Gender stereotypes
3. Low income
3. The image of women in Spain is such that they are pictured as dependent on their male counterpart, which too may act as a flaw.
4. Women’s organizations in Spain insist that machismo attitudes of many males are the underlying reason behind the violence.
5. Many victims are not aware of the resources available to help them up.
Present scenario:
1. A year has passed when the Spain’s Law against Gender-based Violence came into force. Though it would have been a giant leap towards eradicating domestic violence in the nation however, hindrances continue to stand in the way of a life free from violence against women.
2. The nation is not tackling the issue of domestic violence from the viewpoint of human rights. Therefore, it’s failing to take initiatives accordingly.
3. Amnesty International, (global organization, which aims to end violence against women) continues to receive information on the lack of effective protection of women’s human rights. This lack of protection is particularly marked in respect of violence against women in the family.
What could be done?
Economic and job assistance should be provided to the victims so that they could stand on their feet and experience the feeling of liberation. Help for victims, quicker trials and a special task force to consider tougher sentences for the criminals.
Educational programs against gender prejudice should be initiated.
At times, women withdraw the accusations coz of the fear of insult, which she’ll have to face during investigation. Thus, the stereotypical attitude of police officials too requires some change in handling the situation.
Most importantly, women must be entitled to have free legal assistance right from the time of lodging a complaint until the proceeding culminates.
