March 8th marked International Women’s Day-a day in which to celebrate women’s achievements and the fight for equality. While there have been noticeable achievements worldwide over the last several decades, women still face inequity and violence throughout the world. This is even more prevalent in parts of the world where discrimination and violence are cloaked in cultures, and young girls and women lack a voice to fight back. This year’s International Women’s Day theme was: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”
The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women. A study conducted by the
World Health Organization (WHO) on behalf of the United Nations Interagency working group on violence against women found that worldwide an astonishing 30% of women have been subjected to physical or sexual violence.
Women from underdeveloped areas where they are less likely to have access to education or formal job training have experienced inequality in many other aspects of their life, in addition to the physical or sexual violence seen in other regions of the world. In these countries, violence against women goes well beyond assault; it includes forced marriage, dowry-related violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, intimidation at work and in educational institutions, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced sterilization, trafficking, forced prostitution, and female genital mutilation.
Government leaders and many nonprofit organizations have united to protect and empower women who have lacked the voice to obtain gender equality and a safe environment to strive in. Unfortunately, this is a protracted endeavor, and there are times when outside expertise is needed in this fight for equity and justice.
When you require expert assistance finding justice for women who have become victims of violence and discrimination and weeding out their perpetrators, contact us at Development Fraud Investigations or International Security Alliance. We are experts at obtaining justice for underserved women who have become victims of violence. Collectively, we are an international team of certified sexual assault investigators experienced in conducting these sensitive investigations on behalf of governments, NGOs, and corporate clients. Our team has specialized training and experience in leading and investigating workplace violence and sexual misconduct. Our consultants have successfully investigated allegations of sexual misconduct on the high seas, within the U.S. and internationally, including investigations involving disabled victims for NGOs.
Mary Jo Forster is an accomplished professional Security Specialist with 19 years of experience working for the U.S. Embassy, supporting multiple U.S. Missions throughout Africa. She has specialized in investigative training, supported by the Office on Violence Against Women, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice. This specialized training ensures Mary Jo has the unique skillsets to explore the dynamics of sexually-based violations and workplace violence.