Gender-based violence is ubiquitous: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost every third woman in the world has experienced physical and/or sexual violence. And that's just the terrifying tip of the sexism iceberg.
In addition to the popular #MeToo movement in the US, campaigns like #aufschrei in Germany, mass protests in Mexico and India against the rape and murder of women, or, most recently, the case of Giselle Pellico in France could give a boost to events - if politicians and the judiciary take up the issue.
How Giselle Pellico became a feminist icon
The case of the 72-year-old woman has shocked more than France: Giselle Pellico was drugged by her husband for years and raped by him and other men. The husband filmed 200 incidents, which are serving as evidence in the ongoing trial against him and 50 other men. What's special: Giselle Pellico specifically requested that the trial not be held behind closed doors, "so that the shame can be felt by the other side."
To show their support for Pellico and other victims of sexual assault, several thousand people took to the streets of various French cities in September, chanting: "We are all Giselle!"
According to women's rights expert Elke Ferner, the case is now bringing the main aspects of violence against women back into the spotlight in France. But that's not enough. Ferner believes that changes to French criminal law are needed. "There is not even a "no means no" rule, according to which sexual acts against the express will of the other person would be punishable"."
Discrimination and misogyny are rampant in India
The rape and murder of a female medical assistant has recently sparked outrage in India. The 31-year-old woman was found dead in a government hospital in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, in early August. The latest in a string of rapes in the world's most populous country has sparked mass protests. Employees at government hospitals have gone on strike. Penalties for rape in West Bengal have also been tightened.
For many Indians, the crime brings back memories of the brutal gang rape of a female student on a bus in the capital, New Delhi, in 2012. The 23-year-old girl died from severe internal injuries. Twelve years ago, the protests and public outrage were even greater, recalls Indian women's rights activist Ranjana Kumari. According to her, sexual violence reflects the patriarchal and misogynistic structures of Indian society. She believes that it will take a very long time to change social norms.
And politicians and authorities still have a lot to catch up on. Although legislation has become stricter in recent years and new programs have been launched, according to Kumari, many of them remain on the books. Authorities have repeatedly tried to cover up cases of violence, and in some situations, officials have even refused to accept reports from women. "The justice system in India is also a problem. It takes between 10 and 15 years for a case to reach court."
Women in Mexico confront femicide
In Mexico, hundreds of women are victims of femicide every year - that is, they are killed because they are women, usually by a former or current partner. According to official figures, in 2023 there were 827 such murders, and the number of unreported cases is likely significantly higher. Experts attribute the high number of murders of women in Mexico to deep-rooted machismo and a problematic judicial system that does not offer enough protection to women.
The alarming scale of deadly misogyny has led to the fact that in recent years the feminist movement in Mexico has gained momentum and grown into a social revolt. American lawyer Julie Goldscheid, an expert on gender-based violence, says that "mass protests against femicide and other forms of gender-based violence play an important role in raising public awareness and holding perpetrators accountable".
As a result of the high public attention, the judiciary and politicians are also increasingly addressing the issue - but large-scale and effective measures have not yet been taken. Many Mexicans are now looking to Claudia Scheinbaum, who was elected the country's first female president in June.
Germany: There is still work to be done
In 2013, the hashtag #aufschrei (shout out) began to be used on social media in Germany to share experiences related to sexism and violence. Together with a number of articles by female journalists on the subject, this led to a broad discussion in Germany, which is likely to lead to some changes in the coming years.
For example, since 2015, the so-called "morning after pill" has been available without a prescription, and in 2016, the law on sexual crimes was reformed. Expert Elke Ferner believes that the most urgent task in terms of women's rights and protection from violence is currently the planned Violence Assistance Act. It will give victims of domestic violence a legal right to advice and protection and, for the first time, will establish uniform guidelines for the financing of women's shelters and counseling centers. According to official figures, 250,000 people in Germany were affected by domestic violence last year, and every second or third day a woman dies as a result of violence from her partner.
Author: Ines Eisele