INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ( NOV. 25TH)
Discrimination and inequality are at the root of violence against women. Historically women have been seen as less important than men; lower than them; of less value than men politically, socially, economically and culturally. In the past both law and custom made women the property of men. Wherever social attitudes devalue women, violence against women is more likely to be tolerated or less likely to be punished. Arguments to justify violent methods to ‘keep women in their place’ and to assert male dominance may call upon ‘religious principles’, or ‘cultural traditions’. Until recently, domestic violence in the some Western countries was seen as a ‘private matter’ outside the power of the law to intervene. Indeed, it was only after years of campaigning by women’s groups and human rights organisations that domestic violence was criminalised and taken seriously.
Learning gender roles
- What does it mean to act ‘like a man’? What words or expectations come to mind? (e.g. men don’t cry; men are tough; etc).
- What does it mean to act ‘like a woman’? What words or expectations do you think of? (e.g. girls are polite; girls are neat and submissive; etc).
- Where do we learn these gender roles?
- What people influence our learning of them? Can you mention any specific examples?
- Where else in society do we find these messages?
- What are some situations where you may be pressured to ‘act like a man’ or ‘be a lady’?
- How might these stereotypes lead to violence?
Look at these examples of stereotyping. Which ways of thinking are associated with the stereotype? Which other ways of thinking are not shown by the stereotype?
Watch the following videos and discuss your opinions.
- What's your opinion about this short film?
- Which conclusion do you get at the end of this video?
- Do you think watching it will make people aware of this sad current situation?
- Which conclusion do you get at the end of this video?
- Do you think watching it will make people aware of this sad current situation?
Agree or disagree?
- Violence against women is really not a problem in Spain.
- Women enjoy equal rights here, don’t they?
- Girls are less valued than boys in all societies.
- Men are naturally more physically aggressive than women.
- In China and India there are equal numbers of boy babies and girl babies.
- In Europe more women aged from 16 to 44 die (or are severely disabled) from heart attacks, cancer or from traffic accidents than from domestic violence.
- Men prefer submissive women.
- Men who are violent towards women are emotionally immature.
- Violence against women is really not a problem in Spain.
- Women enjoy equal rights here, don’t they?
- Girls are less valued than boys in all societies.
- Men are naturally more physically aggressive than women.
- In China and India there are equal numbers of boy babies and girl babies.
- In Europe more women aged from 16 to 44 die (or are severely disabled) from heart attacks, cancer or from traffic accidents than from domestic violence.
- Men prefer submissive women.
- Men who are violent towards women are emotionally immature.
ROLE-PLAY
You are a very tired woman/man. You work hard everyday, cook, clean the house, pick up the children from school while your husband/wife doesn't do anything at all, besides, he/she complains and you end up arguing. You're totally fed up with this situation and need desperately to talk to a friend about it. Today, you're meeting a friend to explain the situation and ask for advice. While you're talking to your friend your husband/wife arrives and a fight starts. Your friend will try to solve the situation as well as he/she can.
You are a very tired woman/man. You work hard everyday, cook, clean the house, pick up the children from school while your husband/wife doesn't do anything at all, besides, he/she complains and you end up arguing. You're totally fed up with this situation and need desperately to talk to a friend about it. Today, you're meeting a friend to explain the situation and ask for advice. While you're talking to your friend your husband/wife arrives and a fight starts. Your friend will try to solve the situation as well as he/she can.
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED LEVEL
WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL
-Put the words into the gaps in the text.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was ____________ by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The UN asked governments, international organizations and NGOs to raise ____________ awareness of this terrible and ____________ problem. This is particularly important in the many countries where the ____________ of violence against women is ____________. Women all over the world are the victims of domestic violence, rape, psychological torment and other ____________ of abuse. There is no country in which women are ____________ from violence. The UN said violence against women is a ____________ to achieving equality, human rights, development and peace.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is ____________ on November 25 because of a horrific historical ____________. On this day in 1960, three sisters were ____________ killed in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters were political activists. They campaigned against the ____________ government of that time. Throughout their political ____________, the women and their husbands were put in prison and ____________ many times. This did not dampen their ____________ for political change. President and dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered their execution. The sisters became known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies". They ____________ the victimization of women and were commemorated in novels, poems, songs and books.
hidden/ global /free/ issue/ started/ barrier/ widespread/ forms /
beaten/ observed/ brutally/ activity/ symbolized/ event / desire corrupt
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
-Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
November the 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was starting / started by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The UN asked governments, international organizations and NGOs to raise / rise global awareness of this terrible and widespread problem. This is particularly important in the many / most countries where the issue of / for violence against women is hidden / hid. Women all over the world are the victims of domestic violence, rape, psychological torment and other form / forms of abuse. There is no country in which women are freely / free from violence. The UN said violence against women is a barrier to achieving equality, human rights, development and peaceful / peace.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on November 25 because of a horror / horrific historical event. On this day in 1960, three sisters were brutally / brutality killed in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters were politics / political activists. They campaigned against / anti the corrupt government of that time. Throughout their political activity, the women and their husbands were put on / in prison and beaten many times. This did not dampen their desire for / by political change. President and dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered their execution. The sisters became known was / as the "Unforgettable Butterflies". They symbolized the victimization of women and were commemoration / commemorated in novels, poems, songs and books.
-Put the words into the gaps in the text.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was ____________ by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The UN asked governments, international organizations and NGOs to raise ____________ awareness of this terrible and ____________ problem. This is particularly important in the many countries where the ____________ of violence against women is ____________. Women all over the world are the victims of domestic violence, rape, psychological torment and other ____________ of abuse. There is no country in which women are ____________ from violence. The UN said violence against women is a ____________ to achieving equality, human rights, development and peace.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is ____________ on November 25 because of a horrific historical ____________. On this day in 1960, three sisters were ____________ killed in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters were political activists. They campaigned against the ____________ government of that time. Throughout their political ____________, the women and their husbands were put in prison and ____________ many times. This did not dampen their ____________ for political change. President and dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered their execution. The sisters became known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies". They ____________ the victimization of women and were commemorated in novels, poems, songs and books.
hidden/ global /free/ issue/ started/ barrier/ widespread/ forms /
beaten/ observed/ brutally/ activity/ symbolized/ event / desire corrupt
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
-Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
November the 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was starting / started by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The UN asked governments, international organizations and NGOs to raise / rise global awareness of this terrible and widespread problem. This is particularly important in the many / most countries where the issue of / for violence against women is hidden / hid. Women all over the world are the victims of domestic violence, rape, psychological torment and other form / forms of abuse. There is no country in which women are freely / free from violence. The UN said violence against women is a barrier to achieving equality, human rights, development and peaceful / peace.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on November 25 because of a horror / horrific historical event. On this day in 1960, three sisters were brutally / brutality killed in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters were politics / political activists. They campaigned against / anti the corrupt government of that time. Throughout their political activity, the women and their husbands were put on / in prison and beaten many times. This did not dampen their desire for / by political change. President and dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered their execution. The sisters became known was / as the "Unforgettable Butterflies". They symbolized the victimization of women and were commemoration / commemorated in novels, poems, songs and books.
Listen to Alice Walker's Interview about her famous novel 'The Color Purple', related to this topic.
Trailer of 'The Color Purple'
Watch the section of the film and answer the question
- Why do you think Sofia tells Miss. Millie 'Hell no!' when she offers her a job?
READING COMPREHENSION ABOUT 'THE COLOR PURPLE'
the_color_purple_reading_comp.doc | |
File Size: | 55 kb |
File Type: | doc |
INTERMEDITATE LEVEL: Listen to the song about violence against women and comment your opinion in class.
cancion_violencia_de_genero.doc | |
File Size: | 101 kb |
File Type: | doc |
PRE-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Listen to the song 'My name is Luka' by Suzanne Vega about Child Violence and do the activities
Listen to the song 'My name is Luka' by Suzanne Vega about Child Violence and do the activities
song_-_my_name_is_luca.doc | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | doc |
my_name_is_luka_.doc | |
File Size: | 508 kb |
File Type: | doc |