As we observe the “16 days of Activism to Combat Gender-Based Violence”, from 25 November and 10 December, it is timely to reflect on how to end the epidemic of gender-based violence – with its targets being mostly women and girls. Such violence is unfortunately a fact of life for many women and girls, everywhere, regardless of race, class, or educational background. Abusive practices against them have been, and are still being, justified in the context of cultural norms, religious beliefs and unfounded scientific theories.
It is the requirement of justice that everyone is treated equally and with dignity. A commitment to the establishment of full equality between men and women, in the Bahá’í view, is central to the success of efforts to eradicate gender-based violence.
According to the Bahá’í Writings, “Women and men, have been and will always be equal in the sight of God”, and “The world of humanity has two wings – one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible”.
For the gender equality to become a reality, there must be a shift in the values, outlook and conduct of both women and men.
There is need for respect for the dignity and rights of everyone, including one’s spouse and children. There is also need to consciously move away from using force and violence to impose one’s will and fulfil his desires, and instead to use cooperation and consultation in our families and communities.
According to a Statement of the Bahá’í International Community: “Our challenge is to search out new strategies and adopt fresh models that will encourage a healthier, more cooperative society at all levels. We need to move consciously away from patterns of force and aggressivity and towards methods of consultation and peace-making”.
Appropriate laws, and the mechanisms developed for their enforcement, although very necessary, seem to have little impact on eradicating gender-based violence. There is clearly a need for us to follow moral and spiritual principles. These facilitate the shift in our values required to put into practice gender equality and justice towards all.
“Efforts to eradicate the epidemic of violence against women and girls must proceed from and be reinforced by every level of society from the individual to the international community. However, they must not be limited to legal and institutional reforms, for these address only the manifest crime and are incapable of generating the deep-rooted changes needed to create a culture where justice and equality prevail over the impetuousness of authoritarian power and physical force”, state the Bahá’í International Community.
A profound adjustment in humanity’s outlook is necessary, guided by the belief in the equality of men and women and observance of moral and spiritual principles to eradicate gender-based violence.
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