Pre-Departure Critique 1

Sexual Violence

I was in a collaborative women’s studies class at Florida International University with FATEC College located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that highlighted the growing issues of women globally. Through this collaboration, we were able to discuss intersectionality issues of women that they are faced with from female genital mutilation to foeticide, which is the removal of the fetus illegally, intimate partner violence, human trafficking to name a few. The gender ideology that women have had to endure silently and made to believe is the norm was disheartening. Then I was introduced to many forms sexual violence and the prevalence of it. I was aware of sexual harassment which is unwanted advancements. To learn that sexual harassment can lead to sexual assault leading to sexual violence possibly ending with death, lead me to question why is this happening? The hardest information to process was that African Americans, Indians, Mexican and many more minority women voices are being silenced by their partners through some form of violence either physical or mental. Continuously being abused mentally and physically in fear if they say anything the will be retaliated against is detrimental to the health and well being of these victimized women. How did this become a cultural norm globally?

Health, harmful practices, non- sexual and sexual violence, along with traditions and religion and lack of access because of socioeconomic status are key factors contributing to placing women at high risk. Intimate partner violence (IPV) also referred to as domestic violence has been on an incline especially with married women. Concerns have been raised on gender-based violence, through researchers and policymakers. According to an article in India Today’s Newspaper India is the fourth most dangerous place for women in the world (Khanna, 2013). IPV includes sexual violence, physical violence as well as psychological aggression, including threats of such acts. There have been associations made between IPV and poor physical and mental health through international and national studies (UN, 2006) yet the numbers still rise. Men in India accounted for a positive test for HIV are also at alarming quantity who have lifetime partners (Weitzman, 2014), why?

In India, the married women have inclined to the rising population of HIV infections that are between the ages of 30-34 (CDC, 2015). Why is it that sexual violence been normalized? The assumption being that in order for these mentally and physically battered women to be infected is not through acts of infidelity of their partners, but through the infidelity of themselves. Although much of the higher rates of contracting HIV are at higher risk towards married women who have experienced sexual violence. As the violence continues to increase another question is what is being done to decrease it? Violence against women has been cutting across socioeconomic classes, with the highest rate being in older women that are less educated, referenced by the Indian Family Health Survey (INFH-3) 2015, by their husband that is also not as educated. It also stated that these men are aware of the ABC’s of prevention, which is abstaining, be faithful, condoms. Yet there is a high rate of HIV/AIDS. It also stated that these men may have involvement with sex workers, not using their knowledge returning to their homes and placing their partners at risk.

In a study conducted by the INFH-3 (2015), on the effects of IPV and sexual violence, at least one-third of the respondents between the ages of 15-49, stated they experienced physical violence. Taking into consideration that some attitudes about sex vary across cultures, therefore it may not be recognized as violence, especially if it is their husband.  Millions of women in India are suffering at the hands of their husbands. With 54 percent of those that are being abused using justification for their mistreatment (INFH-3, 2015), along with 5-10 prevent being forced to engage in sexual acts whether they want to or not. Rape by definition is having sex against their will. Why would a husband want to rape his wife? Is it because of the patriarchal mindset and cultural socialization of treating women as property and objectifying them.

In the United States, over one million women are also living with HIV, taken from the National IPV Sexual Violence Survey of 2010 over 35 percent have been raped or sexually assaulted. Although it is under-recognized as a violation of human rights. There are efforts being made to globally educate and provide awareness. Similar to the women of India exposure to such violence put these women at greater risk. The women that are infected with HIV/AIDS may continue to experience sexual violence, some while pregnant leading to maternal mortality. There should be policies implemented that recognize IPV as an important issue that is critical for the global fight against sexual violence. The effects of IPV on both the physical and mental health has a range of issues.  A study was conducted on IPV between 2006 and 2012 that concluded issues such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, self-harm, including poor functional health. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than 60,000 deaths among adult women (2015) due to related to AIDS.  On a positive the government of India wants to reduce the number of reported infections in half, using their institutions along with Intercontinental agencies that are living with HIV.

I want to research ways to heal the body while healing the mind to increase the total wellness of those that have tested positive as well as lived with some form of violence. Rather than become a survivor with HIV they can participate in life and live. Sexual violence and HIV are health matters that are interconnected globally. Relieving some of the psychological and physical debilitating concerns will help to increase the survival of these women. Utilizing the opportunity to participate in yoga is one form of treatment that can be applied to the treatment plan that the women are currently on. I would like to speak to women that are infected and ask them about what concerns they may have had if any on seeking help from the health service agencies. I would also like to know of those that are infected by their partner, who also experienced IPV if they are still with their mate?

Furthermore, by promoting the benefits of testing many more women will have a higher success rate. As well there are a significant amount of women that are unknowingly infected, which shows the benefits of education as well as treatment. With prevention tactics such as the one issued by the CDC of increasing access to services for those that are infected. Also recognizing rural health deficiencies.  Can assist in preventing new infections, including reducing the rate of children that are becoming affected by birth, or young girls who are the hands of family members, or domestic issues.

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Reference

Silverman, J. G., Decker, M. R., Saggurti, N., Balaiah, D., & Raj, A. (2008). Intimate partner violence and HIV infection among married Indian women. Jama, 300(6), 703-710.

Weitzman, A. (2014). Women's and men's relative status and intimate partner violence in India. Population and Development Review, 40(1), 55-75.