Most domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women. Almost every day when I read in a newspaper about cases of extreme violence against women, often accompanied by unbelievable pictures of the face of a bruised and battered woman. Cruelty against women seems to be very common in Ireland. What gets into a man’s head who thinks he can hit a woman and injure her and sometimes end her life? Where is his moral compass? What kind of family did he grow up in? What kind of schooling did he get? I am left with many unanswered questions.
Sometimes the law takes its course and the offender is brought to court. There he goes through the motions and the offender is found guilty of GBH and receives either a suspended sentence or a light sentence which he has already served. I believe there should be a mandatory sentence for any physical abuse of a woman.
There also should be a mandatory sentence for any mental torture of a woman. This abuse of women by bully boys in our society must be stopped and the only way to stop it is by making it a serious offence with serious consequences for those who commit it.
“All of us have a part to play in ending violence against women. It is an issue that affects all of us. Elaina Ramsey, from the Sojourner community in the US, makes the case for an end to violence against women: “I believe that women are of sacred worth and should be treated as such. But while it’s important to make space to honor and recognize the contributions of women in history/herstory, I also pray that more men will be a part of the conversation.
If we want to lift up one half of humanity (women) to help level the playing field at home, at work, and in broader society, it only makes sense to engage the other half of humanity (men). As we’ve seen with the He For She campaign, it will take all of us to address gender inequality and injustice.
From domestic violence and human trafficking to female genital cutting and forced marriage, women and girls around the world experience abuse and exploitation at alarming rates. Encouraging men to step up and speak out for and with women is key to achieving gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence.”
Violence against women and girls is not only a “women’s issue,” but a human rights issue that affects all of us. We are indeed “caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,” as Dr Martin Luther King said. “Whatever affects one directly, affects us all indirectly.” We must work together for gender justice. Together, we can imagine a new way forward for both women and men.
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