WORLD BANK: Women Should Not Be Free From Violence? Think Again!
These disturbing messages did not emerge out of nowhere. They reflect social norms, and their rigid persistence reminds us that norms change slowly, when they change at all. According to the World Health Organization, at least 35% of the world’s women have been assaulted at some point, and many men and boys have also been victimized, particularly when their behavior goes against dominant norms.
It is easy to think that norms have changed when we see people doing things that have not traditionally been done. We see women wearing pants, voting, attending school, and riding public transport in many of the countries where we work. We see men taking on roles that have traditionally been seen as “feminine,” such as caring for children. It is easy to forget that there is a critical space between the moment when behaviors like this are seen as “something that people do,” and when they are enshrined into norms.
We have gotten quite good at nudging people, especially women, into that space. We build schools; we connect people through technology and transport; we build health centers that increase access of marginalized groups to services, and so much more. A few brave individuals step into the space. But sometimes we forget that this space is a dangerous place for women, and also for men who do not conform to dominant norms. A microcredit program targeted at women may increase their income and autonomy, but it can also disrupt power dynamics at home and in the community, putting them at risk of violence. A new highway can connect women to income-generating opportunities in a public marketplace, but also put them at risk of harassment and sexual assault. What are we doing to mitigate these risks in our operations? And beyond our projects, what are we doing to reduce and prevent violence more broadly?