Women’s Day: here is the panorama of gender-based violence in Colombia

The term of gender violence It has gained strength and importance throughout the world and in the context of the fight for women’s rights, it is necessary to make visible the various violations of women harmed by the phenomenon. In commemoration of Women’s day which is generated 8 March in the world, we will establish the laws, types, entities and a number of elements related to the gender violence.

examine the violence Under the magnifying glass of gender, it is not a question of leaving aside the men of the country, nor of observing the situation from a perspective where the main actors are the victim-perpetrators. What is in fact sought is to analyze interaction between men and women and representations of the identity of both in a context of violence.

The rapprochement of the relationship between gender and violence, admits establishing a study between the multiple cultural, psychosocial and sociopolitical connections that make up social contexts. According to Ministry of Education there gender violence is understood “like any act of aggression, physical or psychological, based on the superiority of one sex over another.”

In this case, it is important to understand the civic changes that emerge from the transformations of Colombian citizenship, the interactions they have on a daily basis and the perception of women of the XXI century.

In an easy-to-understand vocabulary, this term is related to forms of abuse that takes place in relationships which show a bond of power and domination, a bond which in one way or another prolongs the discrimination, the inequity of the feminine versus the masculine.

This type of violence is characterized by practices which in themselves deny Women’s rights and developing gender imbalances and inequalities. If analyzed in an everyday context that includes a man and a woman, discrimination in extension is denoted; physical, psychological, attacks on sexual freedom, threats, omission of the freedom of the couple (whether the relationship is in force or not) because abusive acts against ex-partners are not a scenario far from the social reality.

According to united nations assembly in 1993 the expression is established as follows: ”any act of violence based on being female that causes or may cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threat of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether it occurs in life public or private”.

To understand the national scene a little more, GlobeLiveMedia spoke with the professional Angelique Maldonado who is a specialist in neuropsychology, an expert in questions of Mental Health and psychological well-being, is the founder of ‘Mind vessel’an organization that works for children, young people and adults in Bogotá, Villavicencio and Medellín.

This question is at the root of the problem itself, because it makes it possible to recognize the situation experienced, according to Angelique Maldonado it must be taken into account that each case is different, it is important to remember that there are signs that can identify cases of gender violenceand point out that in many cases the victim does not seek help, since the attacks have normalized.

Some of the aspects to consider in recognizing if you are victim of violence they are; the couple is an obstacle to economic or professional independence, they receive constant threats around not breaking off the relationship, the abuser usually keeps the victim away from family and friends, constantly uses accusatory and hurtful words. He also ridicules the woman in the presence of other people, is aware of any interaction with other people, conversations, social networks, generally the level of jealousy is higher.

In cases where the practice has already been considered the ‘reality or everyday life’ physical, mental, psychological abuse, pressure to have sex, threats that include other family members, among other experiences, are recorded.

1. physical violence: It consists of causing or attempting to cause damage by hitting, scratching, pulling and shoving; it is easier to identify as it usually leaves marks on the body such as bruises or sores.
2. Psychological abuse: It consists in provoking fear and sadness, by hurtful words with the intention of denigrating the couple. This type of action produces in the victim feelings of anxietydespair, guilt, fear, shame, sadness, as well as low self-esteem.
3. economic violence: It consists of reaching or trying to reach a financial dependence on the other person, it manifests itself when only the aggressor is someone who works, having control over resources, preventing him from access it, invalidating the possibility of professional or educational growth.
4. sexual violence: It leads to forcing or having behaviors with a sexual connotation in a forced way, without consent.
5. Emotional Abuse: Seeks to diminish self-esteem, self-worth and abilities.

It is important to take into account that most women who are immersed in the situation are afraid to report it, which is why it is necessary to communicate the situation, either to a family member or to relatives who reinforce the support network and seek psychological support. support that ensures the strengthening of mental health in order to find the appropriate help in the various existing support points.

In the national picture There are several centers to which victims of violence can turn, such as: The family police station, the Attorney Generalhe Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) and national lines 155 of the Presidential Council for Women’s Equality, National Police 123, purple line 155, Línea Rosa, who have given attention and accompaniment to the cases.

It is essential that more support is generated in the centres, because, according to figures from forensic medecine ”Cases are increasing, showing the highest rate in the country’s capital Bogotá with 10,549 cases, followed by Medellín with 2,624 cases, the city of Cali with 1,587 cases, Barranquilla with 1,375 cases and Villavicencio with 1,061 cases, tending to be higher. incidence of intimate partner violence with 30,492′’.

It is essential to give higher priority and to deepen the laws that penalize violence against womenexpand women’s political and economic participation and empowerment, strengthen the public policy with approaches of gender equality and strengthen support for women.

It should be mentioned that in Latin America It has been shown that there is a high incidence of male chauvinism there violence against women. According to data from the SGD, “There are approximately 30% of women and girls who have experienced physical or sexual assault by their partners or ex-partners in Latin America.”

Colombia has the highest occurrence of violence against womenreaching an index of 39.7%, is one of the countries where gender inequality is reflected, which directly affects public health and that of women and girls in particular.

One of the conclusions made by Angelique Maldonado is it the Mental Health in the country should be established as a priority, “From my experience in ShipMental As a psychotherapist, we have created very important guidelines for improving conflict resolution techniques, behavior patterns and assertive communication”.