United Nations Population Fund

Women’s Empowerment

Women Driving Change-JESSALINE

(Jessaline is a fictional character)

Jessaline is a hardworking single mother who has become a tremendous asset to her company. She hasn’t been recognized with a higher position or rewarded monetarily, however, and has had to put up with sexist comments from her male co-workers. After being drugged and raped at a party by one of her boss’ friends, her life is turned upside down when she learns she might be HIV positive. She decides not to report the crime until a few weeks later when she receives the negative results. By that time, the police find Jessaline’s story very hard to believe, especially since she has just gotten fired from her job for accusing her boss’ friend. Feeling betrayed and left down, she starts attending a support group meeting for survivors of gender-based violence. This is where she meets Chi-Chi, a former sex worker, who now works in the corporate world. Both women, feeling very empowered, decide to dedicate their lives to advocating for gender equality. Jessaline even chooses to take things further and run for office.

ICDP Review Report The 5 Pillars
Dignity & Human Rights
Governance & Accountability
Health
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Women’s Empowerment

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Underestimated. Underpaid. Undervalued.

Jessaline is frustrated at work. As a hardworking, middle-class, single mother, she worked her way up the professional ladder and created a comfortable life for her seven-year-old daughter, Mona, and herself. Yet despite years of hard work and professional achievements, she has not been promoted to a higher position or sufficiently rewarded monetarily. There is no question that Jessaline deserves more than the verbal accolades and “flattering” perks her boss “generously” gives her. After all, her work is very high quality, and her boss consistently verbally acknowledges her valued contributions—just without considering the appropriate compensation she has repeatedly requested. A source of further aggravation is that Jessaline has too many times witnessed her boss giving less qualified and accomplished male colleagues promotions. It doesn’t help that she puts up with sexist comments from her male co-workers, who include her boss. It’s when her boss’ new male assistant asks her: “What did you have to do to get that job?” that she decides enough is enough. She does not deserve such treatment.

“[World leadership] must ensure the full implementation of the human rights of women and of the girl child as an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The workplace isn’t the only place where Jessaline works hard without being appreciated. Her ex-husband took personal issue with her role as the breadwinner, and in many respects, the head of household and decision maker. She was the one who juggled being both a provider and nurturer in their home, while he jumped from one job to another, with long stretches of unemployment, and without contributing to the upkeep of their home and responsibilities of raising their daughter. Jessaline continues to struggle with her ex-husband to provide support monetarily, and even to simply show up and participate in the daily and consistent support and care of Mona.

“Women continue to be paid less than men, are often employed in the informal sector, have temporary and insecure jobs, and command less authority.”

Changing Gender Patterns of Employment

The gender gap in labour force participation has narrowed slightly since 1990, but women continue to be paid less than men; to be employed more often in the informal sector, and in temporary and insecure jobs; and to command less authority. The overall rate of women’s participation in the labour force has remained generally steady at the global level; however, in the last few years, the rate of participation of both women and men slightly declined. At the regional level, women’s labour force participation has been variable. It has increased the most in Latin America and the Caribbean, and decreased slightly in Eastern Europe and much of Asia other than South Asia, where it increased slightly. The labour force participation of women aged 25-54 has increased in all regions since 1990 except for Eastern Europe; this is due to declining fertility and a lessening impact of fertility on labour force participation.

Improving Female Representation in the Workforce

Women’s share in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector and in traditionally male-dominated occupations has increased, although it remains low in jobs associated with status, power and authority. In all regions, women remain significantly underrepresented among business leaders and managers.

Gender Bias Regionally

Distinct gender roles that give advantages to men are still valued in countries in Africa and Asia and in some of the countries of Eastern Europe. For example, men are considered better business and political leaders by 50% or more of people in almost half of surveyed countries, with perceptions of male superiority in political leadership more pronounced than in business.

Gender Gaps

There is greater support for gender equality among women than men. Overall, the gender gap is smaller in access to tertiary/university education, and larger in men’s favoured access to jobs, and leadership in politics and business. The gap is lowest in Western European and other developed countries, where men are as likely, or only slightly less likely, than women to acknowledge gender equality.

Overall differences in gender values and attitudes between women and men have increased in terms of women as political leaders in Argentina, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as have differences related to education in the Russian Federation. The proportion of women who support gender equality has climbed significantly, while the proportion of men has remained at lower levels.

What Your Government Can Do

States should ensure equal opportunities for women to contribute to society as leaders, managers and decision makers, granting them access to positions of power equal to that of men in all sectors of public life. As part of these efforts, it is important to address public views and values regarding sexism or other forms of discrimination, including through creative communication and education campaigns, and monitor these on a regular basis as indicators of social development.

A Night That Changed Everything

Before Jessaline has a chance to address her issues with her boss, he informs her that she will be honoured at an event for employees who have produced exemplary work. While she has been down this road before, she can’t help but feel hopeful that her boss will finally reward her with the promotion she deserves. Unfortunately, she is once again disappointed—she is given a certificate and a thank you. Upset, she decides to have one drink. At the bar, she recognizes her boss’ long-time, powerful friend. They begin talking—opening up about their frustrations in life, in the world. They share their hopes and aspirations in a mentor/mentee-style conversation.

“The path to sustainability will demand better leadership and greater innovation to extend human rights and protect all persons from discrimination and violence, in order that all persons have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from development.”

This conversation is the last thing Jessaline remembers before waking up in a hotel bedroom confused and in pain. She sees her boss’ friend next to her, and feels shock and humiliation. He is much older than her, and she knows she would never put herself in this position willingly. She has no doubt that she was drugged, and the sex was not consensual. In the bathroom, she sees a large assortment of pills. She recognizes the name of one as a treatment for HIV and panics. There are unopened condoms in the bathroom and no opened condoms anywhere.

Jessaline is paralysed with fear. This is a well-known and respected man. How could he do this? How could he do this to her? Always a strong, focused woman who knows her rights, she finds herself uncomfortable immediately reporting the crime. This is so against her instincts, but then again nothing about what has happened feels right. She is fearful that she may have been exposed to the HIV virus, and what that would mean for Mona (who fortunately was with her grandmother last night).

“Globally, 36% of women have experienced intimate partner violence, non-intimate partner violence, or both forms.”

A Human Rights Violation

An estimated one in three women worldwide report that they have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, mostly at the hands of an intimate partner, making this form of violence against women and girls one of the most prevalent forms of human rights violations worldwide.

Intimate Partner Violence

The proportion of adult women who had ever suffered physical violence by a male partner ranged widely across 10 countries studied, from 13% to 61%.

The proportion of women who had experienced severe physical violence by a male partner, defined as “being hit with a fist, kicked, dragged, threatened with a weapon or having a weapon used against her,” ranged from 4% to 49%, with most countries falling between 13% and 26%.

In 2013, the first global and regional prevalence estimates of sexual and physical intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence showed that 30% of women worldwide aged 15 and older who had ever had a partner had experienced some form of intimate partner violence, with as many as 38% of women in some regions having experienced such violence.

Non-Intimate Partner Violence

Current global estimates are that 7% of women have experienced sexual violence by someone other than an intimate partner. Combined estimates show that 36% of women globally have experienced intimate partner violence, non-intimate partner violence or both forms of gender-based violence.

What Your Government Can Do

States should adopt and implement legislation, policies and measures that prevent, punish and eradicate gender-based violence within and outside the family, as well as in conflict and post-conflict situations. Laws that exonerate perpetrators of violence against women and girls, including provisions that allow them to evade punishment if they marry the victim, or are the partners or husbands of the victim, should be revised. Sexual violence should also be eliminated from post-conflict amnesty provisions within the framework of strengthened legislation and enforcement to end impunity.

States should enhance their capacity to recognize and prevent violence, ensure the provision of services that can mitigate the consequences of violence and enable the full rehabilitation of those who experience it. In addition, States should strengthen routine monitoring and extend research into important unaddressed issues such as the number of people living in conditions of sustained fear; violence within schools, prisons and the military; the causes and consequences of violence; and the effectiveness of interventions and of laws and systems for the protection and recovery of victims and/or survivors.

States should further ensure that all victims/survivors of gender-based violence have immediate access to critical services, including 24-hour hotlines; psychosocial and mental health support; treatment of injuries; post-rape care, including emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention and access to safe abortion services in all cases of violence, rape and incest; police protection, safe housing and shelter; documentation of cases, forensic services and legal aid; and referrals and longer-term support.

The Assault of Discrimination

The wait to learn whether or not she had become HIV-positive is stressful for Jessaline, physically and mentally. She ultimately learns she has not acquired the virus, and her relief is palpable—a fire in her now replaces her fear. She will tell her boss and the police that this man of great respect and power is not just a rapist, but also putting women at risk of HIV infection.

“Physical health, mental health and productivity are not only compromised by physical harassment, bullying or violence; similar effects are prompted by pervasive negative stereotypes, experience of stigma and fear of discrimination. The ‘cost of inaction’ estimates the significant, and often hidden, consequences of failing to take appropriate action to address injustices and inequalities, and underscores the high toll that such inaction extracts from communities.”

It takes a lot of courage for Jessaline to confront her boss, and the outcome is not what she anticipated. He is appalled by her allegations, and reminds her that his friend is a powerful, deeply respected man. Definitely not a rapist, nor infected with HIV! “You don’t go around accusing people of such things,” her boss says, before telling her it is time for her to move on and find a new job.

“As many as 70% of women surveyed in some countries agree that wife beating is justified under certain circumstances.”

Publicly shamed and furious by such treatment, Jessaline reports the rape to the police. Unfortunately, she does not get a supportive response from them either. Not understanding why she didn’t report the rape before, and finding it very suspicious that she is talking about this now, right after being fired from her job, the police do not take her accusations seriously.

A policewoman even has the nerve to say, “OK, but you are not HIV positive, right? What are you worried about? Why didn’t you come to us right away? You can fill out some paperwork and we’ll see what we can do when we get to it.”

“38% of all murders of women globally are committed by intimate partners.”

Rape Without Legal Consequence

According to a recent United Nations study on Asia and the Pacific, men begin perpetrating violence at young ages, with half of those who admitted to rape reporting a first incident when they were teenagers, and some even younger than 14. Of men who have admitted to rape, the vast majority have experienced no legal consequences, confirming that impunity remains a serious issue. The most common motivation that men cited for rape related to sexual entitlement, the belief that men have a right to have sex with women regardless of whether or not they consent; over 80% of men in rural parts of two countries who admitted to rape gave this response. Overall, 4% of all respondents said that they had participated in a gang rape of a woman or girl.

Access to Emergency Contraception

World Health Organization guidelines urge a strengthened, multi-pronged health system response to intimate partner and sexual violence, improving access to critical treatment services such as emergency contraception, abortion in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape, prophylaxis for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and mental health support.

Enforcing Laws Criminalizing Rape

With regard to legal frameworks aimed at preventing and addressing abuse, neglect and violence, only 87% of countries reported that they had promulgated and enforced laws criminalizing rape and other forms of sexual exploitation, and only 53% had promulgated and enforced laws criminalizing marital rape (Africa: 39%; Americas: 57%; Asia: 48%; Europe: 75%; Oceania: 62%).

What Your Government Can Do

States should adopt and implement legislation, policies and measures that prevent, punish and eradicate gender-based violence within and outside the family, as well as in conflict and post-conflict situations. Laws that exonerate perpetrators of violence against women and girls, including provisions that allow them to evade punishment if they marry the victim, or are the partners or husbands of the victim, should be revised. Sexual violence should also be eliminated from post-conflict amnesty provisions within the framework of strengthened legislation and enforcement to end impunity.

States should enhance their capacity to recognize and prevent violence, ensure the provision of services that can mitigate the consequences of violence and enable the full rehabilitation of those who experience it.

States should strengthen routine monitoring and extend research into important unaddressed issues such as the number of people living in conditions of sustained fear; violence within schools, prisons and the military; the causes and consequences of violence; and the effectiveness of interventions and of laws and systems for the protection and recovery of victims and/or survivors.

States should further ensure that all victims/survivors of gender-based violence have immediate access to critical services, including 24-hour hotlines; psychosocial and mental health support; treatment of injuries; post-rape care, including emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention and access to safe abortion services in all cases of violence, rape and incest; police protection, safe housing and shelter; documentation of cases, forensic services and legal aid; and referrals and longer-term support.

Empowered to Empower Others

Facing the possibility of death, losing her job, being humiliated and betrayed by her boss, and feeling let down by the legal system, Jessaline only has to look into the eyes of her young daughter to recognize this isn’t something she can let go of. She fights injustice. If her community won’t support her now, then she will create a community that will. This is the kind of woman she wants to be for Mona and for Mona to grow up to be.

Jessaline is aware of literature she’s seen around about support group meetings for survivors of gender-based violence. She’s never been, but decides to start attending. She needs to connect with something right now. When Jessaline is comforted in the meetings, she also finds her voice, and begins speaking out and leading the sessions. Talking about her experience with other women invigorates her. She recognizes her ability to empower other women like herself, and women who, until her rape, she never noticed. Even though it took a tragedy for her to open her eyes to the struggles of women from different situations, she is committed to being the change that will inspire people at all levels of her society to end all forms of violence against women.

“Over the past two decades sex workers have been the focus of many public health initiatives concerned with the spread of HIV and AIDS, but rarely have their own rights to health been acknowledged, nor their rights to social protection from poverty or violence.”

In her support group, Jessaline meets Chi-Chi, a former sex worker who now works in the corporate world as an executive assistant to a CEO. Chi-Chi opens up to Jessaline about her previous life and her struggle to make healthier choices. She is proud of her successes and triumphs. When Jessaline shares with Chi-Chi how her rape came with an HIV scare, Chi-Chi in turn shares with Jessaline that she is HIV-positive.

Chi-Chi explains to Jessaline that keeping her HIV status to herself is a real struggle, as she works hard to be honest in all aspects of her life. She is afraid of being ostracized and discriminated against by her family, friends, colleagues and community members.

The trust and bond created between the two women inspires Jessaline further. It gives her a sense of personal purpose and contribution that she has never felt before, despite her previous professional successes. She likes being an integral part of a community and a leader, and she feels passionately about advocating for and protecting all women. She will create change and reform so that Mona doesn’t have to experience what she and other women have lived through.

Jessaline and Chi-Chi discuss the latter’s personal desire but also fear around sharing her HIV status. It is risky in their country, but Chi-Chi feels she no longer wants to hide. She decides she will first tell her boss. When she confronts her with the news, the response is one of compassion and support. Chi-Chi learns that her boss has a brother who is HIV+.

Jessaline decides to dedicate her time and energy to creating a platform where she can be a spokeswoman who advocates for gender equality, education around gender-based violence, and an end to stigma around sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Jessaline’s ability to create change compels her to take things further. She will run for office at the local level. A woman leader in her community will be another step towards empowering other women, while also better teaching men to respect and support them in the process.

“In all regions, women remain significantly underrepresented among business leaders and managers.”

Rights for Sex Workers

With 116 countries criminalizing some aspect of sex work, sex workers face deeply rooted stigma, as well as institutionalized discrimination through laws and polices that exacerbate their vulnerabilities. Sex workers often live in conditions of extreme poverty and are highly vulnerable to brutal violence, including sexual violence, without redress or protection. Violence is linked to other health vulnerabilities, with female sex workers 13.5 times more likely to acquire HIV than women aged 15-49 globally. Criminalization of sex work limits their political voice and collective representation, thereby reducing their chances to improve their living and working conditions, gain financial security, adequately protect their health, and expand opportunities for themselves and their families.

HIV Prevalence in Sex Work

Globally, female, male and transgender sex workers are at higher risk of contracting HIV, but funding for HIV prevention among sex workers remains disproportionately low, given the level of their risk.

HIV Contraction for Men

Men who have sex with men are also at increased risk of contracting HIV, accounting for a disproportionate number of new infections in the Americas and Asia; among men who have sex with men, the young and homeless are at greatest risk. Sex workers, men who have sex with men and other key populations at higher risk of contracting HIV continue to face stigma, discrimination and, in many cases, punitive laws that compound vulnerabilities, and serve as a barrier to critical prevention, treatment, care and support efforts.

What Your Government Can Do

States should respect, protect and promote the human rights of all people living with HIV and enact protective laws facilitating access to health and social services to ensure that all persons living with, and at risk of, HIV can live free from stigma and discrimination.

States should decriminalize adult, voluntary sex work in order to recognize the right of sex workers to work without coercion, violence or risk of arrest; provide social protection and meaningful employment alternatives and opportunities for economic empowerment, so that individuals who wish to leave sex work have the ability to do so; and include sex workers in the design and implementation of policies and programmes for which they are the intended beneficiaries.

States and global health partners should address the stark disparities in the success of HIV prevention in different parts of the world, and among different population groups; undertake research to understand the underlying causes of such disparities; and share proven policy lessons to reduce HIV infections in high-incidence populations.

States should ensure universal access to HIV information, education and counselling services, including voluntary and confidential HIV testing, with a particular focus on young persons and persons with increased risk of HIV; and commit to providing, in the shortest time possible, universal access to antiretroviral therapy with the aims of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, ensuring follow-up of infants exposed to HIV, improving the life expectancy and quality of life of mothers and all people living with AIDS, and protecting all people living with HIV from stigma, discrimination and violence.

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