Need a perfect paper? Place your first order and save 5% with this code:   SAVE5NOW

Current Event Analysis Essay

Introduction

Countries in the global south face various problems. It is widely acknowledged that the majority of the countries in the Global South have low standards of living, which include low incomes, high rates of poverty, rapid population growth, subpar housing, few opportunities for education, inadequate health systems, gender inequality, and many other problems. Such issues have hurt the growth of the countries, and both genders have had a rough time over the years. However, in these countries, women tend to have more significant challenges as compared to men due to gender inequality and gender-based violence. Gender-based violence on the women of the global south has had negative effects on their welfare, and this has resulted in the rise of advocacy agencies to speak against these malicious acts.

Event Analysis

UN Women, (2024) state that, thousands of men and women marched in Nairobi, Kenya, and other major Kenyan cities on January 27, 2024, demanding an end to violence against women and femicide. Carrying posters with statements indicating that they should not be killed since they are human. In addition, despite Kenya’s efforts to stop gender-based violence, at least 500 women and girls have been murdered there since 2016. The group went on to say that these incidents are not unique but rather show recurrent trends, suggesting a more serious and systemic problem.

It also said that their data probably does not include all of the femicides that occurred during that time. The demonstrators heightened an already alarming trend by claiming that at least ten women had been killed in the first month of 2024 alone.

These killings typically mark the deadly conclusion of a series of sexual or physical abuse against women, driven by societal conventions that uphold male dominance over females. In Kenya, women who are married report experiencing physical abuse at a rate of 41%, whereas single women report experiencing it at a rate of 20% (UN Women, 2024).

Over time, women’s movements have worked for national and worldwide initiatives to reduce gender violence and advance gender equality. In an instance, Meer, (2005, p36) state that mass mobilisation and action took place in South Africa throughout the apartheid era as well. Communities as a whole participated in work stoppages, laborers went on strike, and students abstained from courses and closed educational facilities. In addition to pursuing these struggles as employees, learners, and community members, women also pursued a different one. the fight to free women from restrictive gender stereotypes. He continues to state that women activists shaped the mainstream of political ideology by actively participating in the liberation movements and employing strategic planning. Advocates in many global south countries and locales have the best awareness of the injustices that women and girls experience, as well as the critical expertise needed to promote their rights (d’Eaubonne, 2022). The Kenyan femicide march is an example of the same thing . In this case, the Kenyan social movement was able to advocate for the rights of women and called for action against violence and murder of women within the country.

According to Cooper, (2011, p357), social movements have an important role to play in shaping our understanding of the entitlements and human rights related to citizenship. Particularly feminist groups aggressively contest and transform gendered conceptions of citizenship that are produced by the state. States may have rights to guard each and every citizen, but when it comes to acting when such a right is violated, they tend to hesitate.

In the case study of Kenya reports state that, cases of gender-based violence take too long to be heard in Kenyan court, which emboldens perpetrators to commit crimes against women (Associated Press, 2024). This is quite similar to the case in South Africa a while back. The article continue to states that there are still long delays in dealing with cases in the criminal justice system, and perpetrators are released on low bail without charges. Only 1 in 9 women who are raped report the crime to the police, despite claims of misogyny and ignorance on the part of police, healthcare professionals, and courtroom officials, in addition to “threats, abuses, intimidation, disbelief, and other experiences of secondary victimization (OINC 2011: Cooper, (2011, p361 ). Most cases of women murdered in Kenya have also been raped before being killed. The delayed justice has given perpetrators the luxury of committing crimes without worry. Many women and activists have seen the intensity of this aspect and came out in large numbers. The protest proved to be the biggest in the nation’s history against violence against women and girls.

Such activists in the movement have done a very good job in making sure that the rights of women are well catered for. Activism has been crucial in addressing many significant issues over the years, including the abolition of slavery, the overthrow of dictatorships, labor exploitation protection, environmental preservation, women’s equality, and racism. Over the years, many improvements have been brought about by such acts of action.

Using data from the 1954 Women’s Charters, the movement demanded that women live in a society free from prejudice and discrimination. They demanded that women be treated with dignity and that their rights and innate human dignity be upheld by society. The Federation of South African Women’s intervention made this possible (Wmst 1195-Week 5, Slide 20) . This was a multiracial women’s organisation and lobby group that planned demonstrations against South Africa’s institutionalised Apartheid system.

The social movement in Kenya should continue with this move to ensure that the rights of women are catered for. It is a truth that positive social movements provide a broad platform for action for the populace, educating and raising awareness in the process to assist stop an issue from hurting more people. Sincere social movements for the greater good have the capacity to raise consciousness and bring about real changes that prolong, improve, and enhance the quality of life for the majority of people.No matter what, women’s rights must always be upheld (d’Eaubonne, 2022). Women’s rights are fundamental human rights guaranteed to all people on the earth by the United Nations about seven decades ago. UN Women. 2024, state that, these rights include the freedom from discrimination, violence, and enslavement as well as the rights to an education, property ownership, the ability to vote, and a wage that is just and equitable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gender based violence on the women of the global south have had negative effects on their welfare and this has resulted to the rise of advocacy agencies to speak against these malicious acts. As seen in the case study above, women’s rights have been deprived in Kenya which is part of the global south and this has led to massive deaths due to gender based violence. There is delayed justice for culprits who commit such evil acts and therefore there is need for intervention. The government and civil societies need to work hand in hand to ensure such occurrences never occur again.

References

Associated Press. (2024, January 27). Thousands march against slayings of women in Kenya. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-march-against-slayings-of-women-in-kenya/7459859.html

Cooper, M. (2011). Gender & Development Vol. 19, No. 3, November 2011

d’Eaubonne, F. (2022). Feminism or Death: How the Women’s Movement Can Save the Planet. Verso Books.

Femicide cases in Kenya fuel urgent calls for action to end violence against women

UN Women. (2024, February 9). UN Women. Femicide cases in Kenya fuel urgent calls for action to end violence against women.

Meer, S. (2005). Freedom for women: Mainstreaming gender in the South African liberation struggle and beyond. Gender & Development13(2), 36-45.

Wmst 1195-Week 5. South Africa Freedom Struggle and Beyond.

 

Don't have time to write this essay on your own?
Use our essay writing service and save your time. We guarantee high quality, on-time delivery and 100% confidentiality. All our papers are written from scratch according to your instructions and are plagiarism free.
Place an order

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

APA
MLA
Harvard
Vancouver
Chicago
ASA
IEEE
AMA
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Copy to clipboard
Need a plagiarism free essay written by an educator?
Order it today

Popular Essay Topics