Sunshine R.

Dela Cruz 11-HUMSS-B

What Is Misogyny?

In many ways, our society has come a long way when it comes to the treatment of women. Both federal
and state law prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, and generally, overt bias against women is
barred. Yet we know that our society is far from equal, particularly when it comes to more subtle forms
of discrimination. Many individuals still demonstrate some level of antipathy towards women, also
referred to as misogyny. So what exactly is misogyny?

Misogyny is an extreme form of sexism that is often defined as the hatred of women. A person with
misogynistic beliefs may not be aware that they are demonstrating a hatred towards women — or even
believe that they hate women — but their behavior and words expose prejudice, disdain of, or hostility
to women. In societies where misogyny is prevalent, there are often high rates of violence towards
women. Women may be seen as property or second-class citizens, and mistreated at both the individual
and institutional level as a result. For example, a woman who is abused by a spouse (individual level)
may be told by a police officer that they won’t bring charges against her husband because it’s a family
matter (institutional level). Other views of misogyny define it as a way of controlling or punishing women
who challenge male dominance.

Understanding misogyny is important for many reasons. In light of the recent wave of mass shootings
that shook our nation in early August, it is critical to understand how misogyny is tied to this type of
violence. In fact, the majority of mass shootings are related to domestic or family violence. While these
shooters may have had other stated motivations, a shockingly high percentage have demonstrated a
clear hatred or disdain for women. We cannot ignore this reality.

Misogyny is also inextricably linked to many other forms of violence, particularly gender-based violence
such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. When a person feels hatred or disdain towards
women generally, it becomes that much easier to commit violence against them. An individual with a
misogynistic world view may view the women in their life as property, and harshly control them. They
may also react with anger if a woman does not give them what they feel entitled to, such as sex or
romantic love, which may result in sexual assault, physical violence, or even homicide.

Addressing misogyny is critical to ending all types of violence in our society. Misogyny drives domestic
violence, sexual assault, stalking, homophobia, transphobia, and a range of other gender-based violence.
We cannot allow it to grow and flourish in our society if we hope to stem the rising ride of violence in
our country — in the form of mass shootings as well as in our homes, on our streets, and everywhere
that we go.

Each of us has a role to play. Men can be allies, both through their everyday actions and by joining our
Fearless Advocacy for Men’s Engagement (FAME) group. Women can also be allies, and can push back
on the type of internalized misogyny that often limits our ability to support other women. We can all
support girls and boys to help them grow into healthy, emotionally mature adults, with a particular focus
on helping boys move beyond gender stereotypes that may harm them or that may cause them to
develop misogynistic beliefs (like telling them that “boys don’t cry” or “you throw like a girl”).

If you would like to join Blackburn Center in our mission to end gender-based violence, there are a
number of ways to get involved. You can donate to our organization financially, or support our
emergency shelter for victims of intimate partner violence with a donation of goods. Volunteers help
our agency in a number of ways, from staffing our 24 hour hotline to performing administrative tasks at
the office; you can fill out an application here. We also encourage parents, teachers, and community
organizations to schedule a training or education program. By working together, we can address these
underlying issues — and create a more just society.

2.why did unnecessary deaths of countless women happen?\

Because of abortion Every year, worldwide, about 42 million women with unintended pregnancies
choose abortion, and nearly half of these procedures, 20 million, are unsafe. Some 68,000 women die of
unsafe abortion annually, making it one of the leading causes of maternal mortality (13%). Of the women
who survive unsafe abortion, 5 million will suffer long-term health complications. Unsafe abortion is thus
a pressing issue. Both of the primary methods for preventing unsafe abortion—less restrictive abortion
laws and greater contraceptive use—face social, religious, and political obstacles, particularly in
developing nations, where most unsafe abortions (97%) occur. Even where these obstacles are
overcome, women and health care providers need to be educated about contraception and the
availability of legal and safe abortion, and women need better access to safe abortion and postabortion
services. Otherwise, desperate women, facing the financial burdens and social stigma of unintended
pregnancy and believing they have no other option, will continue to risk their lives by undergoing unsafe
abortions.

Even safe abortion in developing nations carries risks that depend on the health facility, the skill of the
provider, and the gestational age of the fetus. With unsafe abortion, the additional risks of maternal
morbidity and mortality depend on what method of abortion is used, as well as on women’s readiness to
seek postabortion care, the quality of the facility they reach, and the qualifications (and tolerance) of the
health provider. Methods of unsafe abortion include drinking toxic fluids such as turpentine, bleach, or
drinkable concoctions mixed with livestock manure. Other methods involve inflicting direct injury to the
vagina or elsewhere—for example, inserting herbal preparations into the vagina or cervix; placing a
foreign body such as a twig, coat hanger, or chicken bone into the uterus; or placing inappropriate
medication into the vagina or rectum. Unskilled providers also improperly perform dilation and curettage
in unhygienic settings, causing uterine perforations and infections. Methods of external injury are also
used, such as jumping from the top of stairs or a roof, or inflicting blunt trauma to the abdomen

Abortion laws have a spectrum of restrictiveness. Nations may allow abortions based on saving the
mother’s life, preserving physical and mental health, and socioeconomic grounds, or may be completely
unrestrictive (Figure 2). Data indicate an association between unsafe abortion and restrictive abortion
laws. The median rate of unsafe abortions in the 82 countries with the most restrictive abortion laws is
up to 23 of 1000 women compared with 2 of 1000 in nations that allow abortions.4 Abortion-related
deaths are more frequent in countries with more restrictive abortion laws (34 deaths per 100,000
childbirths) than in countries with less restrictive laws (1 or fewer per 100,000 childbirths).1

3.How did this affect way women are treated? Cite Example

Factors affecting women

Major life transitions such as pregnancy, motherhood and menopause can create physical and emotional
stresses for women. Negative life experiences – infertility and perinatal loss, poverty, discrimination,
violence, unemployment and isolation – also impact on women's mental health and wellbeing. Unequal
economic and social conditions also contribute to women's higher risk of depression.

Some of the situations that can contribute to anxiety and depression in women include:

Caring for or supporting others

Relationship breakdown

Violence or abuse

Discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity

Infertility and perinatal loss

Pregnancy, having a baby and becoming a mother (perinatal)

Menopause