Asian society discriminates against women: Asian Human Rights Commission

“It is unfortunate that discrimination and violence against women in Asia continue to be the norm today, and that their participation in society is both minimal and unappreciated,” the Asian Human Rights Commission said on Thursday, marking International Women’s Day.

While all human rights abuse victims in Asia struggle to obtain legal redress within weak rule of law frameworks and corrupt justice officials, victims of gender-based violence face the added difficulties of discrimination and sexual stereotypes, including from the police and the judiciary, it said in a statement.

“It has been observed all over Asia that rape victims routinely face hostility from law enforcement personnel and the courts. In many cases the police collude with the perpetrators to pressurize the victim to drop the case or to enter a negotiated settlement,” it said.

The human rights group said the investigation of cases of violence against women frequently lack professionalism and often the police may not even inform a rape victim of the need for a medical exam.

“State institutions and officials are just as guilty of harbouring patriarchal and repressive attitudes against women as the rest of society. These attitudes tend to place the blame for rape on the victim herself, rather than the perpetrator.

“As a result, conviction rates for reported rapes remain alarmingly low, and seeking legal redress becomes synonymous to facing further harassment and stigma for the victims,” it said. It said the solution must include changing the perception of rape victims in society through gender-sensitive training for all public officials, as well as education and awareness within the larger society regarding education for girls and equal opportunities for both genders.

“Until discrimination and violence against women is conceived as an integral part of the human rights movement, there will be little change in the ground reality facing women in Asia and many other parts of the world,” it said.

To eradicate rape, violence and discrimination against women from Asian societies, a comprehensive strategy of modification of societal patterns and structures fuelling prejudice and stereotypes are necessary, the organization said.

“Only then can women truly realize their potential and participate in society's development,” it said.


(2012-03-08/mizzima)