Panelists support United Nations Day

The ugliness inflicted upon civilian populations in times of war might only be eclipsed by the genuine suffering and misery experienced by the many women victimized by men in times of peace and prosperity in otherwise developed countries. \nIn celebration of the 2004 United Nations Day, more than 60 campus community members convened for a panel presentation and discussion on worldwide violence against women.\nUnited Nations Day is recognized annually by hundreds of countries across the globe to signify the Oct. 24, 1947, worldwide recognition of the United Nations charter. \nCindy Stone, gender studies program administrator, said the panel was invited to speak for the 10th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, a collection of federal laws instituted in 1994 to promote safe streets, homes, civil rights and equal justice for women in American society.\nThe Department of Gender Studies co-hosted the event with the Indiana Commission for Women in accordance with the 2004 United Nations Day theme, "Women's Rights and Empowerment: The Millennium Development Goals and Gender Equity." \nGender Studies Professor Suzanna Walters mediated the panel of speakers that included Indiana Senator Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, Middle Way House Executive Director Toby Strout, Gender Studies Professor Julie Thomas and Psychology Professor Amy Holtezworth-Munroe.\n"Violence against women affects women of all ages," Thomas said. "The inferior status, secondary status, of women is reflected in the violence -- reinforced by the threat of violence. One out of three women around the world has been a victim of abuse."\nThomas concentrated audience attention on the negative effects of female circumcision, dowry transactions, acid throwing, "honor" killings, sex trafficking and ethnic cleansing. \nWithin the Bloomington city limits, Strout said the Middle Way House serves women who have been victimized by violence in the community. \n"In a context where there are in fact abused women, women have got to be kept safe," Strout said. "All over the world -- not just in this state, country and hemisphere -- we lock up the victims instead of the perpetrators. The newest arena for domestic violence is the courtroom. Nothing short of a revolution is needed."\nThe U.N. vision of ending violence against women asks that all women of the world have equal access to the right of life, of equality, of liberty, security of person, equal protection under the law and the right to be free from all forms of discrimination.\nSenator Simpson said campus community women are represented in the state legislature, since she has pressured legislative leaders across the state to consider modifying laws to protect women from violence. \n"If the public stands up and says, 'We think this is wrong,' legislatures will listen," Simpson said. "We tend to put Band-Aids on things, depending on what's in the news headline. We don't look at the whole picture of how to reduce or eliminate violence against women." \nWhile appropriate legislative changes are negotiated to protect women against violence, Simpson said female campus community members should maintain control of their space as best they can.\n"Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are not in a situation of risk. If you are in a situation where you feel threatened, there are resources in this community you call upon," she said.\nStone said considerable funding continues to be needed to serve women who are currently suffering from violent and oppressive relationships, situations and work environments. Recently a $300,000 government grant was not renewed for the Middle Way House.\n"Women's bodies are being used as a receptacle for men's hatred," Stone said. "The continuation of gender violence is how far we have to go in re-educating and re-imagining masculine and feminine relations of gender. Young men need to get very involved in solving the problem of violence against women; it is their responsibility not to be violent. One cannot be victimized unless there is a victimizer."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.