Women in many, if not most, countries are subordinate to men. This is apparent through gender-based violence, discrimination, the wage gap, and other harmful stigmas. Oppression against women begins at conception. Female infanticide is very real in countries such as China and India. Girls are seen as “too expensive” because of cultural dowry. Women lead lives of misery and/or bring too much stress to their families. Even before birth, sex-selective abortions occur because of the same reasons: sons continue the lineage, and women don’t “contribute”. This misogynistic perspective does not end once the girls grow up. They are still seen as property. They are still killed in gender-specific crimes. Femicide and violence against women are discernible
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If the men who murder women are sexist, the government is even more so. “That Latin American governmental institutions and sexual relationships are tainted by a ubiquitous machismo is hardly a revelation” (Paternostro 32). Nicaragua recently implemented their Ley Integral Contra la Violencia Hacia las Mujeres (or Ley 779). This will define “guidelines for violence against women, including physical and psychological abuse, rape, and femicide” (COHA). This is the first time that violence against women is differentiated from ‘regular’ violence. However, unfortunately, low funds have resulted in failure to follow-through. In South America, political revolution stops at their campaigns. Candidates will say that they will fight against femicide or for abortion, but once they arrive in office, women are suddenly not “their issue” or as important as other affairs. In the culture, there will always be more important issues. The blame is shifted, so they don’t see an issue to solve. Women in office exist, but their efforts are stifled. “...Women who are fighting to change a system that is unfair. but the rules that prevail are still those propose and made by men, and what women want and what men want women to want is starkly different” ( Paternostro 31). Women want equality, and men want women that don’t question their …show more content…
Women are preparing for the worst, and more than likely have a safehold of what to do in case of assault, an unwanted pregnancy, or abuse. Women deserve human dignity, not constant fear. This should not be a novel mindset, or one only in developed nations. Recently, movements have been happening in response to this discrimination. Online, social media is one of the quickest ways to promote and share. Hashtag campaigns such as #NiUnaMenos (#NotOneLess) and #YoViajoSola (#ITravelAlone) have taken off in recent years (NPR). In response to femicide in Argentina, #NiUnaMenos was born. However, as awareness grows, so do questions such as, “Well, what was she wearing? Shouldn’t she have known better? What did she expect? Why was she alone?”. These misguided, ignorant questions sparked #YoViajoSola. This society is rampant on victim-blaming. If we are to end violence against women, we have to stop blaming the women. No factors, or combinations of factors, justify femicide. This thinking shifts the blame. which is why it is so hard for femicide to be identified and processed, legally. Teaching women that they did something wrong is engrained in the culture and society. Men get off with impunity because they aren’t scrutinized, questioned, or blamed. Women know what to expect, but the fact is that they should expect
If the men who murder women are sexist, the government is even more so. “That Latin American governmental institutions and sexual relationships are tainted by a ubiquitous machismo is hardly a revelation” (Paternostro 32). Nicaragua recently implemented their Ley Integral Contra la Violencia Hacia las Mujeres (or Ley 779). This will define “guidelines for violence against women, including physical and psychological abuse, rape, and femicide” (COHA). This is the first time that violence against women is differentiated from ‘regular’ violence. However, unfortunately, low funds have resulted in failure to follow-through. In South America, political revolution stops at their campaigns. Candidates will say that they will fight against femicide or for abortion, but once they arrive in office, women are suddenly not “their issue” or as important as other affairs. In the culture, there will always be more important issues. The blame is shifted, so they don’t see an issue to solve. Women in office exist, but their efforts are stifled. “...Women who are fighting to change a system that is unfair. but the rules that prevail are still those propose and made by men, and what women want and what men want women to want is starkly different” ( Paternostro 31). Women want equality, and men want women that don’t question their …show more content…
Women are preparing for the worst, and more than likely have a safehold of what to do in case of assault, an unwanted pregnancy, or abuse. Women deserve human dignity, not constant fear. This should not be a novel mindset, or one only in developed nations. Recently, movements have been happening in response to this discrimination. Online, social media is one of the quickest ways to promote and share. Hashtag campaigns such as #NiUnaMenos (#NotOneLess) and #YoViajoSola (#ITravelAlone) have taken off in recent years (NPR). In response to femicide in Argentina, #NiUnaMenos was born. However, as awareness grows, so do questions such as, “Well, what was she wearing? Shouldn’t she have known better? What did she expect? Why was she alone?”. These misguided, ignorant questions sparked #YoViajoSola. This society is rampant on victim-blaming. If we are to end violence against women, we have to stop blaming the women. No factors, or combinations of factors, justify femicide. This thinking shifts the blame. which is why it is so hard for femicide to be identified and processed, legally. Teaching women that they did something wrong is engrained in the culture and society. Men get off with impunity because they aren’t scrutinized, questioned, or blamed. Women know what to expect, but the fact is that they should expect