Topic: Violence Against Women
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Hava Szarafinski
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Ethiopia position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Women all over the world are facing violence against their gender. This happens due to the lack of legislation, enforcement, and protection in many countries. The effects of the violence are devastating and long lasting. Nations need to rise up and protect their female citizens from this horrific abuse.
Ethiopia is an African country with a population of over 100 million people, over half being women. For decades, our nation has been working to further the rights of women in hopes of achieving gender equality. Within the past year, we have elected our first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde, which shows the progress we have made with the standing of women in our nation. Yet women still face substantial abuse from men, despite ongoing efforts of our government. In Ethiopia, there have been efforts by universities to teach people how to identify, prevent and respond to gender based violence. There has also been a rise of the Yellow Movement dedicated to change the culture of the country to stop violence against women. Our government has also been active creating special police/prosecution unit, passing laws regarding genital mutilation and child marriages, and supporting plans of gender equality.
Questions we need to address regarding this topic are: What preventive actions can be placed to decrease these offences against women in the future? How do we help the victims with the mental and physical effects of this violence?
Ethiopia believes we need to educate the younger generation on the cruelty of violence against women, and the harsh effects it has on its victims. We believe behavioral change in the younger demographic will be the most effective long term solution. We need to teach them how to identify gender based violence and how to respond to it as well. Our nation also strongly encourages to creation of support systems for victims. An effective resolution would include the education of younger generations on sexual harassment, and creation of a support system for victims.
This committee provides a platform to help further the safety and security of women within their countries. No longer do we idly stand by and let women be treated in such aggressive manners, now we need to support victims and prosecute perpetrators. Ethiopia is looking forward to discussion on this topic in committee, in hopes of creating an effective solution.
