ASIA - Urgent measures to counter violence against women in Asia

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Violence against women in Asia is a widespread phenomena that affects the whole continent and that the governments must face and counter with urgent measures: So affirms the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to Fides, the NGO based in Hong Kong and terminal for a network of several NGOs from all civil society present throughout Asian countries.
Despite the statement of principles on the defence of women's rights, the Asian NGOs note that between 2010 and 2011 many obvious cases of violence, oppression and discrimination against women in Asia continue to occur, too often justified by presumed cultural or religious traditions.
Asian societies, still generally dominated by chauvinism, are lacking in the area of gender equality and equal opportunities. A country such as Pakistan sails into one of the last world rankings on the Global Gender Gap Index 2010”, which estimates the current divide. In Bangladesh or Indonesia, notes the AHRC, the situation is no better: in these countries women have little access to education or to socio-economic development, a problem that is also inherent in India. Here, as in China, discrimination based on gender is legitimised by cultural and religious practices that limit women's freedom from childhood.
The “crime of honour”, says the text, is still looked upon and accepted in many countries in South Asia and more than 5,000 women each year are paying for it. Bangladesh, however, is sadly notorious for the phenomenon of acid attacks against women who refuse male advances.
In Southeast Asia, Aceh stands out, the Indonesian province where the shariah rules (Islamic law) and where women are often subjected to violence also of a sexual nature by vigilantes who make distorted and restrictive interpretations.
The AHRC also notes that Asia continues to hold the record for the phenomenon of “trafficking in women”, sold as goods: as a result, in many countries in Southeast Asia prostitution of women and girls is flourishing.
Despite the gloomy picture – the AHRC's statement concludes that – in Asia there are women who have reached the top of politics and society (in Myanmar, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and other countries) and therefore they can represent hope for a true improvement in the status of women on the continent. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2011)