Peace Begins at Home

March 10, 2009

Earl Anthony Wayne, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina

On International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and countless women who have made life-changing and awe-inspiring contributions to better humanity. Today, women lead countries, run corporations, manage non-governmental organizations. Three of the last four U.S. Secretaries of State, my bosses, are  women. And there are hundreds of millions of brave women who out of the spotlight toil daily to nurture their families under very challenging conditions.  

As we honor these women today, we must remember the inequities still to overcome.  One of the most important tasks is making the world free from violence against women – particularly domestic violence. As domestic violence happens behind closed doors, many dismiss it as a private issue or a family tragedy. But, the consequences of violence in the home affect communities and nations. 

In my country, the economic cost of domestic violence is estimated to exceed USD 5.8 billion per year in health care services and lost productivity.  In Argentina, approximately one woman every three days dies at the hands of her spouse, former partner, or relative according to Amnesty International.  Regardless of where it takes place, domestic violence ruptures families and greatly harms the prospects of children.

To fight this injustice, President Obama signed in February the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $4 billion to enhance state and local law enforcement efforts to combat violence against women and children. Their funds will help strengthen their federal, state and local authorities administering justice for and strengthening services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The Argentine government has also adopted noteworthy measures to combat violence against women.  Last year, the Supreme Court inaugurated its Office of Domestic Violence, which has already assisted over 2,172 domestic violence victims, including men, women and children in Buenos Aires city. The Ministry of Justice’s Victims Against Violence program has a 137 hotline which takes calls and immediately dispatches a team of police officers and social workers to a crime scene to detain the abuser and assist victims.

The Federal Police’s Victims Crime Division opened its first center to assist victims of sexual violence under the leadership of Commissioner Ester Franco, who will be honored at the Embassy today.  The Prosecutor General’s unit for Crimes Against Sexual Integrity also provides services to victims. A new public awareness campaign about violence against women was launched here just last week.

Many in Argentine civil society, including survivors of domestic violence themselves are working to fight this problem.  For example, the U.S. Embassy’s nominee for the 2009 State Department’s International Woman of Courage Award Felipa “Nelida” Borquez has championed over 20 years women’s rights to live free of domestic and sexual violence.  As director for a network of domestic violence centers in La Matanza, she helps women suffering from these injusticies. As part of her work, Felipa educates women of their right to file domestic violence complaints at any police station, not just stations dedicated to women’s issues.  

Domestic violence is not just a women’s problem.  Today, I am visiting family rights advocate Darío Witt, a leader in La Plata’s efforts to provide integrated assistance to domestic violence victims by offering shelter, counseling, legal services and programs focused on victim empowerment.  Dario’s work highlights that we need a combined effort of men and women, civil society and government to overcome this problem.

As leaders, citizens, and parents, we need to insist – that women have equal worth and deserve equal protection and respect.  When women live in a world free of violence, they can more freely stand up for their rights and dignity and those of their children, neighbors and fellow citizens. This more secure freedom reinforces democracy, advances tolerance, and enables people to realize their full potential.  Only as we change the cultural norms and societal expectations of gender can we truly create a safe and just society for all.