CHENNAI: Gender-based violence is not limited to some areas, but is a worldwide phenomenon. Although the way women are perceived has changed over the years, they are still subject to abuse, both subtle and outright.Sixteen Days of Activism is a global campaign which takes place from 25 November to 10 December and aims at raising awareness around gender-based violence. In relation to this, a panel discussion was held at the University of Madras, in collaboration with the US Consulate in Chennai.Consul General Jennifer McIntyre said that one in three women around the world will experience some form of gender-based violence in her lifetime, and in some countries, that number is as high as 70%. “The psychological costs of gender-based violence are incalculable. But apart from mental suffering, it directly impacts the physical wellbeing of women, increasing their risk for a range of serious conditions,” she said.Advocate and legal scholar Geetha Ramaseshan spoke on the legal options available to victims of dowry, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and honour killings. She said that the important change in laws in the 1980’s, was the use of language to describe cruelty as having both mental and physical aspects.Deputy Police Commissioner A Radhika gave an account of the history of all-women police stations in Tamil Nadu, and said that TN was the first State to have an entire contingent of women officers. Speaking on the mentality of women in filing cases, she said, “Women always think that things will change for the better. There is nothing wrong with having a positive attitude but there is a limit to everything.” Dr Margaret Zahn, an expert in criminology from the North Carolina State University spoke about the three different ways that domestic violence was handled in the United States. Prof Priyamvada, an expert in criminology at the University of Madras, spoke on gender-based violence against elders.
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