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Violence Against Women

U.S. Congress Introduces International Violence Against Women Act

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Evidence-based Solutions and Work with Men and Boys Key Components
Wed, 02/24/2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) issued the following statement upon Congress’s reintroduction today of the International Violence Against
Women’s Act (IVAWA).

ICRW, which conducts empirical research and advocates for evidence-based policies and programs,
worked with Congressional leaders to help craft a multi-sectoral approach to alleviate violence and
encourage stronger partnerships among the health, economic, social and legal sectors.

In its consultations with legislators, ICRW emphasized the importance of working with men and boys
as partners and using research-based evidence to combat violence in developing countries, which
are key components of the IVAWA legislation.

“There is growing evidence about the effectiveness of programs that recast the idea of what it means
to ‘be a man’ as involved caretakers and partners rather than violent and domineering,” said Gary
Barker, director of gender, violence and rights at ICRW. “Programs that work with adolescent boys
as well as men have proven that changing cultural norms can and does reduce violent behavior,
especially towards women.”

Mary Ellsberg, ICRW’s vice president of research and programs added, “Years of data collection
helped to inform the drafting of this legislation and ICRW is excited to see that the bill puts a high
premium on the need for continued study. The bill includes funding for critical research, ensuring
we understand where and why violence occurs, and the best ways to prevent or respond to it.”

ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta also applauded the move and said: “This is a transformative time
given the administration’s focus on women and girls and legislation like IVAWA is critical to reducing
violence around the world. ICRW appreciates the bold leadership of Reps. Delahunt and Poe; and
Sens. Kerry, Snowe, Boxer and Collins, who are working across the political aisle to make the world
safer for women and girls.”

Media Contact: 
Jeannie Bunton, 202.742.1316, Jbunton@icrw.org
Mission Statement: 

ICRW's mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world. To accomplish this, ICRW works with partners to conduct empirical research, build capacity and advocate for evidence-based, practical ways to change policies and programs.

Assessing India's Domestic Violence Laws

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ICRW is evaluating the implementation of India’s Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005 (PWDVA), which is designed to protect the rights of women who experience domestic violence and facilitate their access to justice. In collaboration with the Lawyers Collective Women’s Rights Initiative (LCWRI), we are monitoring efforts to improve the ability of key agencies to implement the law.

ICRW is working to document how various interventions conducted by LCWRI strengthen India’s overall response to violence. Interventions include capacity development workshops for law enforcers (police, protection officers and magistrates), legal aid to women facing violence at home, and awareness-building campaigns about the law among women and the public. ICRW is using surveys, interviews and group discussions in three major states to assess various stakeholders’ attitudes toward the law. ICRW is also designing a monitoring system to track the effectiveness of the PWDVA on a yearly basis.

Duration: 
2009 - 2013
Location(s): 
India

Recast 'Being a Man,' Group Urges

in
Thu, 02/04/2010
United Press International

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Violence against women in developing countries can best be addressed by working with men to "recast" what it means "to be a man," a U.S. advocacy group says.

The International Center for Research on Women issued a statement Thursday to coincide with the reintroduction of the International Violence Against Women's Act in Congress.

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How to Treat a Woman: Sachin Shows the Way

in
Mon, 02/22/2010
The Times of India
Kounteya Sinha

Want to play like Sachin Tendulkar on the field? First, behave like him off it. With domestic violence becoming a serious problem in India — one in three married women reporting some form of abuse — around 25 cricket coaches in Mumbai are now being trained to teach their players how to behave with a woman.

Initiated by the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), in collaboration with Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA), project 'Parivartan' hopes to use India's most popular sport to curb domestic violence.

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Violence Against Women Must Stop

Violence Against Women Must Stop
Toward Achieving the Third Millennium Development Goal to Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
2005

This series explores those social, cultural and economic factors that could encourage progress toward achieving the third Millennium Development Goal to promote gender equality and empower women. Topics include decreasing violence against women, improving infrastructure and encouraging women's property ownership.

Other publications in this series:
Infrastructure Shortfalls Cost Poor Women Time and Opportunity
Property Ownership for Women Enriches, Empowers and Protects
 

(656.78 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Women's Property Rights, HIV and AIDS, and Domestic Violence

Women's Property Rights, HIV and AIDS, and Domestic Violence

Hema Swaminathan, Kimberly Ashburn, Aslihan Kes, Nata Duvvury, Cherryl Walker, Michael Aliber, Busi Nkosi, Margaret A Rugadya, Kamusiime Herbert
2007

ICRW, along with Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Associates for Development (AfD), conducted research over a two-year period in Amajuba district, South Africa, and Iganga district, Uganda, to explore the linkages between women's property rights, HIV/AIDS and violence. This book brings together the findings from the two studies as well as a comparative analysis of similarities and differences across the two study sites.

(1.17 MB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Seven Priorities, Seven Years to Go: Progress on Achieving Gender Equality

Seven Priorities, Seven Years to Go: Progress on Achieving Gender Equality

Caren Grown, Geeta Rao Gupta, Aslihan Kes
2008

This brief assesses progress toward Millennium Development Goal 3, promote gender equality and empower women, by analyzing changes in the 12 indicators proposed by the U.N. Millennium Project Task Force on Education and Gender Equality and offers recommendations that can redouble global efforts to fulfill this worthy goal.

(845.02 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Property Ownership & Inheritance Rights of Women for Social Protection - The South Asia Experience

Property Ownership & Inheritance Rights of Women for Social Protection - The South Asia Experience

Pradeep Panda, Jayoti Gupta, Indika Bulankulame, Nandita Bhatla, Swati Chakraborty, Nata Duvvury
2006

ICRW, in collaboration with researchers from India and Sri Lanka, presents the synthesis report of a multi-site research study on social protection, exploring the links of women's ownership of property and inheritance rights and their experience of domestic violence. This report brings together three research summaries as well as a cross-site analysis undertaken by ICRW.

(720.04 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Justice, Change, and Human Rights: International Research and Responses to Domestic Violence

Justice, Change, and Human Rights: International Research and Responses to Domestic Violence

Barbara Burton, Nata Duvvury, Nisha Varia
2000

This paper is one of several analytical documents synthesizing the findings across Promoting Women in Development (PROWID) projects and their implications within the various theme areas. Domestic violence perpetrated by partners and close family members on women has long been a matter of silent suffering within the four walls of the home. From this perspective, violence is seen to be a matter of individual responsibility, and the woman is perceived to be the one responsible for either adjusting more adequately to the situation as dictated by cultural norms or developing an acceptable method of suffering silently. This paper seeks to shift responsibility for domestic violence from a purely personal responsibility of the victim to one of social responsibility by articulating the importance of domestic violence within both a human rights framework and a development framework.

(844 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Intimate Partner Violence: High Costs to Households and Communities: Brief

Intimate Partner Violence: High Costs to Households and Communities: Brief

International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
2009

Violence against women is increasingly seen as a key development issue that undermines economic growth. ICRW and local partners undertook a three-country study to estimate these costs at the household and community level. This brief outlines key findings.

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We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

Terms and Conditions »

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