Prevalence of violence in women lives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 8 March 2007 Prevalence of violence in women lives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 8 March 2007 Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on womens lives, on their families, and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned. Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on womens lives, on their families, and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned.

Global Peace Index Egypt was ranked 73. But more than 90 percent of Egyptian girls and women are subjected to genital mutilation. Egypt was ranked 73. But more than 90 percent of Egyptian girls and women are subjected to genital mutilation. China ranked 60, but female infanticide is still a major problem, as shown by the imbalanced ratio of males to females there China ranked 60, but female infanticide is still a major problem, as shown by the imbalanced ratio of males to females there

Harmful Traditional Practices Harmful traditional practices are forms of violence that have been committed against women in certain communities and societies for so long that they are considered part of accepted cultural practice. These violations include female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM), dowry murder, so- called honour killings, and early marriage. They lead to death, disability, physical and psychological harm for millions of women annually. Harmful traditional practices are forms of violence that have been committed against women in certain communities and societies for so long that they are considered part of accepted cultural practice. These violations include female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM), dowry murder, so- called honour killings, and early marriage. They lead to death, disability, physical and psychological harm for millions of women annually.

Trafficking in Women and Girls Trafficking involves the recruitment and transportation of persons, using deception, coercion and threats in order to place and keep them in a situation of forced labour, slavery or servitude. Persons are trafficked into a variety of sectors of the informal economy, including prostitution, domestic work, agriculture, the garment industry or street begging. Trafficking involves the recruitment and transportation of persons, using deception, coercion and threats in order to place and keep them in a situation of forced labour, slavery or servitude. Persons are trafficked into a variety of sectors of the informal economy, including prostitution, domestic work, agriculture, the garment industry or street begging.

The POPPY Project was set up in It is funded by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (reporting to the Ministry of Justice) to provide accommodation and support to women who have been trafficked into prostitution. It has 35 bed spaces in houses throughout London. accommodation and support

Crimes against Women in Situations of Armed Conflict The victims in todays armed conflicts are far more likely to be civilians than soldiers. Some 70 percent of the casualties in recent conflicts have been non-combatants most of them women and children. Womens bodies have become part of the battleground for those who use terror as a tactic of war they are raped, abducted, humiliated and made to undergo forced pregnancy, sexual abuse and slavery. The victims in todays armed conflicts are far more likely to be civilians than soldiers. Some 70 percent of the casualties in recent conflicts have been non-combatants most of them women and children. Womens bodies have become part of the battleground for those who use terror as a tactic of war they are raped, abducted, humiliated and made to undergo forced pregnancy, sexual abuse and slavery.

Sexual Violence Although women are more at risk of violence from their intimate partners than from other persons, sexual violence by non-partners is also common in many settings. According to the 2006 In-Depth Study of the Secretary- General: Sexual violence by non-partners refers to violence by a relative, friend, acquaintance, neighbour, work colleague or stranger. Estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence by non-partners are difficult to establish, because in many societies, sexual violence remains an issue of deep shame for women and often for their families. Statistics on rape extracted from police records, for example, are notoriously unreliable because of significant underreporting Although women are more at risk of violence from their intimate partners than from other persons, sexual violence by non-partners is also common in many settings. According to the 2006 In-Depth Study of the Secretary- General: Sexual violence by non-partners refers to violence by a relative, friend, acquaintance, neighbour, work colleague or stranger. Estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence by non-partners are difficult to establish, because in many societies, sexual violence remains an issue of deep shame for women and often for their families. Statistics on rape extracted from police records, for example, are notoriously unreliable because of significant underreporting

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Domestic and intimate partner violence includes physical and sexual attacks against women in the home, within the family or within an intimate relationship. Women are more at risk of experiencing violence in intimate relationships than anywhere else. Domestic and intimate partner violence includes physical and sexual attacks against women in the home, within the family or within an intimate relationship. Women are more at risk of experiencing violence in intimate relationships than anywhere else.

HIV/AIDS and Violence Womens inability to negotiate safe sex and refuse unwanted sex is closely linked to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Unwanted sex from being unable to say no! to a partner and be heard, to sexual assault such as rape results in a higher risk of abrasion and bleeding, providing a ready avenue for transmission of the virus. Womens inability to negotiate safe sex and refuse unwanted sex is closely linked to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Unwanted sex from being unable to say no! to a partner and be heard, to sexual assault such as rape results in a higher risk of abrasion and bleeding, providing a ready avenue for transmission of the virus.

Rule of thumb In 1782 Judge Sir Francis Buller is reported as having made this legal ruling. Derived from the belief that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick so long as it is was no thicker than his thumb.

DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF MALE SPEECH Male speech is regarded as the normative language. Male speech is regarded as the normative language. Male speech is referential and competitive. Male speech is referential and competitive. Swearing and the use of taboo words is acceptable. Swearing and the use of taboo words is acceptable. The vernacular is often preferred to more correct forms. The vernacular is often preferred to more correct forms. Blunt imperatives are customary: Get the ball! Bring the book! Blunt imperatives are customary: Get the ball! Bring the book! Interrupting the speech of others is usual. Interrupting the speech of others is usual. Bald criticism is acceptable. Bald criticism is acceptable. Questions are more frequently asked. Questions are more frequently asked. Compliments are minimised. Compliments are minimised. Apologies are minimised. Apologies are minimised. Language is used as a power tool. Language is used as a power tool.

DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF FEMALE SPEECH Female speech is regarded as a deviant language. Female speech is regarded as a deviant language. Female speech is affective and collaborative. Female speech is affective and collaborative. Hedges are common: "sort of", "kind of". Hedges are common: "sort of", "kind of". Tag questions are common: "isn't it", "don't you think". Tag questions are common: "isn't it", "don't you think". Super polite forms are normal : "Would you please?", "I'd really appreciate it?") Super polite forms are normal : "Would you please?", "I'd really appreciate it?")