Features, analysis and in-depth reporting on women and girls’ issues – including health, education and conflict – as well as the people and groups working toward solutions. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/series/the-hidden-crime/rss en Gender-Based Violence Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:54:36 +0000 Zahra Siddique, Sam Rawlings https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/06/01/how-domestic-violence-against-mothers-endangers-child-health https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/06/01/how-domestic-violence-against-mothers-endangers-child-health Research from 32 developing countries shows that children born into abusive households are more likely to die before they reach the age of five than those who aren’t. But deterrence and incarceration of abusers can make a significant difference. Gender-Based Violence Health Politics and Policy Wed, 31 May 2017 11:36:04 +0000 Marina Watson Peláez https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/31/portugal-turns-to-prevention-to-take-on-its-domestic-violence-problem https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/31/portugal-turns-to-prevention-to-take-on-its-domestic-violence-problem After a history of handing out lenient sentences to domestic abusers, the Portuguese government is focusing on prevention and education in a bid to turn things around. Crisis and Conflict Gender-Based Violence Health Thu, 25 May 2017 11:38:28 +0000 Sonia Narang https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/25/climate-change-drives-domestic-violence-in-fiji https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/25/climate-change-drives-domestic-violence-in-fiji The island nation of Fiji has one of the world’s highest rates of domestic violence, and climate change disasters are making matters worse for women. One crisis center is tackling the problem by giving women the support they need to prosecute perpetrators. Gender-Based Violence Health Tue, 23 May 2017 05:12:30 +0000 Pamposh Raina https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/23/in-delhi-womens-councils-deliver-justice-outside-the-legal-system https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/23/in-delhi-womens-councils-deliver-justice-outside-the-legal-system For many women who are being abused by their husbands, prosecuting a case through India’s notoriously slow court system is not an option. For more than 20 years, women’s councils, known as Mahila Panchayats, have provided an alternative. Gender-Based Violence Solutions Thu, 18 May 2017 13:26:44 +0000 Alexandra Bradford https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/18/kabuls-all-female-restaurant-gives-abuse-survivors-a-taste-of-freedom https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/18/kabuls-all-female-restaurant-gives-abuse-survivors-a-taste-of-freedom One of the fixtures on Kabul’s dining scene is the only restaurant in the country run and staffed by women, all of whom have survived abuse at the hands of men in their families. Gender-Based Violence Thu, 18 May 2017 11:31:29 +0000 Jen Thorpe https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/18/south-africas-domestic-violence-shelters-forced-to-turn-women-away https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/18/south-africas-domestic-violence-shelters-forced-to-turn-women-away South Africa has had a Domestic Violence Act since 1998, but its critics say the law is ineffective, leaving women with nowhere to turn when they try to escape abusive relationships. We speak to rights activist Claudia Lopes about what more needs to be done. Crisis and Conflict Health Thu, 11 May 2017 11:49:29 +0000 Shaina Shealy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/11/first-domestic-abuse-survivor-to-speak-up-inspires-change-in-palestine https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/11/first-domestic-abuse-survivor-to-speak-up-inspires-change-in-palestine By speaking out about how she was abused by her husband, a Palestinian domestic violence survivor helped launch a conversation about the need to reform the Palestinian Penal Code to protect women. Gender-Based Violence Heroes Tue, 09 May 2017 12:38:24 +0000 William Davies https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/09/the-man-who-sued-ghanas-government-to-help-domestic-abuse-survivors https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/09/the-man-who-sued-ghanas-government-to-help-domestic-abuse-survivors When Ghana passed its domestic violence law in 2007, it promised to set up a fund to help pay for survivors’ medical bills and establish women’s shelters. But that never happened. So private lawyer Martin Kpebu took the government to court – and won. Gender-Based Violence Solutions Thu, 04 May 2017 12:51:26 +0000 Terrence Edwards https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/04/how-mongolia-is-tackling-violence-in-the-home-after-years-of-neglect https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/04/how-mongolia-is-tackling-violence-in-the-home-after-years-of-neglect One in five women in Mongolia is subject to domestic abuse. Now a new law gives the police more power and responsibility to combat the problem, and bring perpetrators to justice. Gender-Based Violence Heroes Wed, 03 May 2017 13:18:45 +0000 Hannah McNeish https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/03/the-activist-taking-on-patriarchy-to-end-domestic-violence-in-kenya https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/03/the-activist-taking-on-patriarchy-to-end-domestic-violence-in-kenya Dowry culture and a fixation on reproduction have contributed to violence towards women in African homes. But with legal reform and awareness campaigns on the rise, activists like Kenya’s Saida Ali are optimistic about changing attitudes. Gender-Based Violence Solutions Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:44:09 +0000 Taisiya Koroleva, Irina Sedunova, Tatyana Chistikova https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/28/video-survivors-heal-through-art-as-russia-turns-its-back-on-domestic-abuse https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/28/video-survivors-heal-through-art-as-russia-turns-its-back-on-domestic-abuse Abused first by her father, and then by her husband, Nina tells News Deeply how she found solace in art therapy, as part of our in-depth series on domestic violence worldwide. Education Gender-Based Violence Solutions Thu, 27 Apr 2017 12:11:52 +0000 William Davies https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/27/education-helps-break-the-silence-around-domestic-violence-in-africa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/27/education-helps-break-the-silence-around-domestic-violence-in-africa Across Africa, domestic violence is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls, but the authorities often see it as a family matter. Women’s groups say education is the key to helping survivors stand up to and report abuse when it happens.