Call for papers: Elimination of violence against women conference

The 1st Elimination of Violence against Women Conference organised by Middlesex University Mauritius will be held on 23 November 2018 at Middlesex University Mauritius, Flic en Flac. This is in support of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The last years marked several important victories for women. Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia repealed rape-marriage laws. Powerful men were held accountable for sexual harassment and assault. Chile eased its rules on abortion. The UK and parts of the US eliminated tampon taxes. More women were involved in the peace-building process in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen. For the first time in decades, some Pakistani women voted. Female heads of state were appointed in Croatia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Nepal and Taiwan. Canada and the Netherlands stepped up to direct more resources to advance women’s rights. Thousands of women marched for anti-discrimination, LGBTQI rights, reproductive rights, religious freedom and refugee rights all over the world.

Despite these victories, women still face many challenges. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women worldwide experiences physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. Russia took steps to decriminalise domestic violence. Bangladesh is considering to legalise the marriage of girls under the age of 18. Early and forced marriage as well as poverty and gender norms prevent many girls around the world from attending secondary school. In addition to promoting gender inequality, social customs such as female genital mutilation impose real health consequences. Every year, over 60,000 women are killed in an act of femicide around the world.

Against this background, we invite proposals for oral presentations in the following or related areas:

•  Women in and at war
•  Violence against women, peace and security
•  Violence against women and health
•  Violence against women and the economy
•  Violence against women and education
•  Violence against women and the law
• Representations of women
• Women and the media
• Human trafficking
• Child marriage
• Perpetrators
• Costs and consequences of violence against women
• Prevention of violence against women
• Success stories

Abstracts of a maximum of 250 words should be submitted by 1 August 2018 to Dr Hannah Baumeister at h.baumeister@mdx.ac.mu. Authors of selected abstracts will be informed by 1 September 2018.