Report on Domestic Violence as a Barrier to Sustainable Development Goals

Case Incident: Witnessed Domestic Abuse

An incident of domestic violence was reported, observed from a third-person perspective. The event involved a male perpetrator physically assaulting a female victim, his spouse, with a leather belt. The assault was accompanied by audible signs of distress from the victim, indicating a severe breach of personal safety and security within a domestic setting.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case of gender-based violence directly contravenes several key Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting critical areas for social and institutional intervention. The incident underscores the challenges in achieving the following global objectives:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  1. The act represents a severe violation of Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the private and public spheres.
  2. It perpetuates harmful gender dynamics and power imbalances, undermining the fundamental principle of equality between genders.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  1. The physical assault poses an immediate threat to the victim’s health, directly opposing the goal of ensuring healthy lives.
  2. Such traumatic events have profound and lasting negative impacts on mental and emotional well-being, conflicting with Target 3.4 concerning the promotion of mental health.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  1. Domestic violence is a fundamental breach of peace and security, as outlined in Target 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
  2. The incident highlights the failure of societal structures to protect individuals within the home, pointing to a need for stronger institutions and justice systems to prevent and respond to such violence.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article’s central theme is domestic violence against a woman (“saw my cousin Pearl… being whipped with a leather belt by her husband”). This is a direct violation of women’s rights and a significant barrier to achieving gender equality.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The act of violence described is a fundamental breach of peace and personal security. The article highlights a form of violence that SDG 16 aims to eliminate to create peaceful and inclusive societies.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The physical violence (“whipped with a leather belt”) poses a direct threat to the victim’s physical health. Furthermore, such a traumatic event has severe implications for the mental health and well-being of both the victim (Pearl) and the witness, who was a child (“I was in third grade”).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article provides a clear example of this target. The incident described is a form of physical violence against a woman (Pearl) occurring in the private sphere (her home) at the hands of her intimate partner (“her husband”).
2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The act of a husband “being whipped with a leather belt” is a direct instance of the physical violence that this target seeks to reduce.
3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The narrator was a child (“in third grade”) when they witnessed this violent act. Witnessing domestic violence is a recognized form of child abuse and psychological trauma, which falls under the scope of ending all forms of violence against children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner.
   • The article describes a specific event that would be counted in this indicator. The story of Pearl being subjected to physical violence (“whipped with a leather belt”) by her husband is a data point for measuring the prevalence of intimate partner violence.
2. Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months.
   • The incident is a direct example of physical violence. Data on such events are collected to measure progress on this indicator.
3. Indicator related to child well-being (Implied):
   • While not a specific UN indicator, the author’s experience as a child witness implies the need for indicators that measure children’s exposure to domestic violence. The narrative (“My first experience with domestic violence came when I was in third grade”) highlights the psychological impact on children, which is a critical aspect of measuring progress towards Target 16.2.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: jsonline.com