Violence Against Women
In Violence Against Women, host Radzi Chinyanganya discusses the disturbing reality of violence against women, specifically femicide. Explore the case of Marielle Franco, a Brazilian feminist and legislator who was murdered in 2018, and the high rates of femicide in Brazil and other parts of the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
Advisory: Deals with sexual assault.Lesson Express
Q: Why do you think women and girls who identify as feminists are in greater danger of violence?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should explore the societal dynamics in which feminist views are perceived as a threat by some men. This could involve discussions of power, control, and gender norms that make outspoken women vulnerable to violent acts.
Q: Why do the men who perpetrate the violence see the women as a threat?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should explore the idea of patriarchal control, the fear of women asserting power, and how some men view women’s advocacy for equality as a challenge to traditional gender roles and social power structures.
Q: How can education and awareness programs help prevent violence against women and femicide?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should explore the role of education in changing attitudes toward women and girls, emphasizing the importance of teaching respect, equality, and consent from a young age. They might discuss how awareness campaigns can challenge harmful stereotypes, inform people about the signs of abuse, and provide resources for those in danger. Students could also consider how educating men and boys about gender equality and healthy relationships can reduce the normalization of violence against women.