CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”. 2 It encompasses, but is not limited to, “physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to

Physical, sexual, and psychological violence in the broad public, including rape, are examples of exploitation.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

There is no doubt that war has different effects on men and women. Women and children have a history of getting the short end of the stick whenever there is a conflict. Women and children are often the most vulnerable and prone to being hit the hardest. Throughout history we see examples of terrible abuses against women and children. 1.1 million children were slaughtered in the Holocaust. During the Rwandan Genocide, many women and children were raped or slaughtered. Survivors of these crimes are frequently forced to live with the vivid and terrifying images of rape, war, and death for the rest of their lives. Sexually transmitted diseases, stigmatization, and sometimes unwanted pregnancies affect women as well. In 2009, it was estimated that 7 to 14 million children in the Philippines were exposed to domestic violence, with approximately 3.3 million children being exposed to domestic violence in their homes each year. Children who witness domestic violence in the home are 15 times more likely to become victims of child abuse, believe they are to blame, and live in constant fear. Close observation during an interaction can alert providers to the need for further investigation and intervention, such as dysfunctions in the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social areas of life, and can aid in early intervention and assistance for child victims. The research seek to investigate the Psychological effect of conflict and violence on women.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Violent conflict is one of the world’s most pressing development challenges today. Despite the fact that the number of civil wars has declined in recent years (Harbom and Wallensteen 2009), the legacy of violence remains in many countries around the world, particularly in Africa, Caucasia, the Balkans, and the Middle East. The economic, political and social consequences of civil wars are immense. War displaces population, destroys capital and infrastructure, disrupts schooling, damages the social fabric, endangers civil liberties, and creates health and famine crises. Every year, almost 750,000 people die as a result of armed conflict (Geneva Declaration Secretariat 2008), while civil wars displaced more than 20 million people at the end of 2007. (UNHCR 2008).  Any of these effects will have considerable consequences for long-term development outcomes, including the educational attainment of populations exposed to violence. Yet while there is a growing consensus that development interventions and the promotion of democracy worldwide cannot be disassociated from the restrictions caused by violent conflict, we have limited rigorous evidence on the consequences of violent conflict on the lives of people exposed to violence. The microeconomic impact of war on civilians can be significant and long-lasting. People living in war zones may not only suffer injuries, death, and property destruction, but they may also be forced from their homes and lose their means of subsistence.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1 To learn more about the impact of conflict and violence on women and children.

2 To find out how conflict and violence affect women and children psychologically.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1 How does war and violence affect women and children?

2 How do conflict and violence affect women and children psychologically?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The report provides a framework for developing and implementing strategies to reduce conflict and violence against women and children.

STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

1 Host Conflict and violence against women and children are at an all-time low.

Hi Conflict and violence against women and children are at an all-time high.

2 Guests Conflict and violence have little psychological impact on women and children.

Hi Conflict and violence have a significant psychological impact on mothers and children.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study aims to assess the psychological impact of conflict and violence on women and children.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Peace that lasts. Sustainable peace must be a top priority for global society, where state and non-state actors are not merely looking for short-term benefits that may jeopardize a stable state of peace. Triangle of conflict

The conflict triangle of Johan Galtung is based on the idea that the only way to define peace is to identify violence, its polar opposite. It is consistent with the normative goal of preventing, managing, minimizing, and eliminating violence.

Direct (overt) violence, for example, an attack or a massacre.

Violence in the structure.

Malnutrition, for example, is a preventable cause of death. Structural violence is not to be confused with an act of God because it is caused by an unjust structure.