Symposium brings violence against women to the forefront
They come from different backgrounds: Uganda, Iran, Argentina, Palestine and the United States. Their stories are different: wars, religious dictatorships, military coups and sex trafficking.
But these five women have all experienced violence.
They came together on Thursday night to share their experiences and to bring awareness of the global issue of violence against women.
“These are the great crimes in the world,” said Rick Halperin, Director of the Human Rights Education Program. “No county is immune from this plague. Women are targets everywhere.”
Halperin said these crimes will be passed down and a legacy of anger will be in future generations if these crimes are not solved and if there is no punishment or justice.
He said the main problem is men. According to Halperin, men commit most of the crimes in the world. The average human rights violation act is committed by a man against a woman.
“All men have women in their lives; we just call them different names,” Halperin said.
He went on to say that they were mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. He noted that most men are outraged when such acts are committed to women that are in their lives. However, Halperin said it was a “pity” that these feelings don’t extend beyond their own immediate circle.
“It is not enough to go through life being ‘a good guy,’” he said. “Men must take a greater role in human rights on behalf of women everywhere. This is our gender-based job. We have to be human rights advocated and defenders of women everywhere.”
Halperin ended his opening statements by saying, “these women have done more than survive. They have triumphed.”
