Dear Members of End-Violence, Over the past few weeks you have noted the important link between CULTURAL factors that contribute to violence against women -- such as attitudes, values and beliefs -- and STRUCTURAL factors that create inequalities in power and support violence against women -- for example, the Hudood laws in Pakistan. Indeed, cultural values are often embodied in structural conditions. Next week we will post a summary of the recent discussions and lessons learned.
This week we would like to focus on the crucial issues you raised regarding culture. In particular, you posed a key question: Where does "culture" (with differences that need to be respected) end, and violence against women (which is unacceptable) begin? The situation regarding Shari'a law offers a good case in point. Many believe Shari'a law to be discriminatory and to support violence against women (VAW). Yet many women in Saudi Arabia and Iran say that Shari'a law is a central part of their culture and that they do not feel it is discriminatory. Another example is the Mormon community in the US. In that community, men are free to have multiple wives, and to marry women who are quite young. Some feel the situation discriminates against women, while others feel it supports roles that women in that community wish to play. These are complex situations, particularly when outsiders become involved. We value your views and experience in helping think through the best ways to approach these situations. As you consider the key questions below, we hope you will be as specific as possible and provide concrete examples rather than simply personal opinions. We look forward to hearing from all Working Group members on this topic. Warm thanks and regards, End-Violence Moderators ---------- KEY QUESTIONS 1. What is the appropriate role for outsiders to play when many living in a country argue that their cultural/religious values dictate, or at least support, conditions that those outside consider discriminatory and even forms of VAW? 2. Should outsiders always follow the lead of women within a society that outsiders believe is extremely discriminatory? What if the women within the society are divided in their views? What if outsiders believe that women are coerced into silence? 3. Do you have examples of efforts to distinguish between cultural practices from outright violence? Were they successful? Why or why not? 4. Changing cultural values and beliefs is extremely difficult. Are there approaches you have found to be effective? 5. Are there successful approaches to convincing local leaders to champion changes in values and beliefs so they do not support or sanction VAW? 6. Are there successful strategies for engaging local communities in re-examination and revision of values and beliefs so they do not support or sanction VAW? 7. Some argue that it is too hard to change cultural values that support VAW, and that it is more effective to change "structures." For example, change laws and economic opportunities for women, and those changes will drive changes in values and beliefs. Is there evidence for or against this approach? ***End-violence is sponsored by UNIFEM and receives generous support from ICAP*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe end-violence OR type: unsubscribe end-violence Archives of previous End-violence messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/end-violence/hypermail/
