Source: www.persecution.org
Date: July 22, 2024
By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow
Much of the research conducted on persecution is not gender specific. Persecuted men and women often experience persecution in distinct ways, shaped by cultural, social, and gender-specific factors. The plight of men is often violent and highly visible, whereas women and children often suffer in the shadows. [See footnote #1]
Men are often the victims of targeted killing and imprisonment. They are more likely to be targeted for arrest, imprisonment, or execution because they are often seen as the leaders and protectors of the community. They are often forcibly recruited into military or paramilitary groups or subjected to forced labor. These tactics aim to weaken the community by removing its male members from their roles. As primary breadwinners in many societies, men’s persecution often leads to severe economic hardship for their families. Their imprisonment or death can leave families without income, increasing their vulnerability. Men are frequently subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in an attempt to extract information, force conversion, or intimidate the broader community. They are often publicly attacked and humiliated to set an example for others, reinforcing the power of the persecutors.
The female experience of persecution is often quite different from that of men. Women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, sexual slavery, and forced prostitution. Persecutors may use these tactics to shame and break the spirit of the community. Women from persecuted Christian minorities are often forced into marriage with men from the majority community as a means of both forced conversion and assimilation. Women often have few rights in countries of high persecution. In these cases, women forced into marriage will reconsider leaving for fear of losing their children. Women might face social ostracism and isolation, not only from the larger society but also within their communities, if they are perceived as having been “dishonored” due to sexual violence. Women, especially in conservative societies, are often more economically dependent on male relatives, making them more vulnerable when these men are persecuted or killed. In many cultures, women already face restrictions on their movement and freedom. Persecution can exacerbate these limitations, confining them further and restricting their ability to seek help or flee danger.
Addressing Gender-Specific Needs
Understanding these gender-specific impacts is crucial for developing effective support and intervention strategies. [See Footnote #2] These approaches can help address women’s vulnerabilities and needs. Trauma counseling can offer specialized psychological support to help women cope with the trauma of sexual violence, forced marriage, and other abuses. In contrast, support groups can help women share their experiences and find solidarity and encouragement. Vocational training can teach women valuable skills that can lead to employment or self-employment. This enables women to achieve financial independence and support their families. Microloans or grants to help women start small businesses have proven effective throughout the last decades. These loans and grants provide small start-up capital to ensure women have the means to sustain themselves economically. Safe houses where women can seek refuge from immediate threats, such as forced marriage or sexual violence, are needed.
Legal support can help women navigate legal challenges, including escaping forced marriages, gaining custody of children, and seeking justice for abuses and injustices. Community engagement that highlights women’s rights and the effects of gender-specific persecution challenges harmful cultural practices and promotes gender equality. Advocating for policies and practices that protect women’s rights, both locally and internationally, and working with governments to improve legal protections for persecuted women will have positive effects on the persecution landscape from the governmental level.
Women need access to medical care after suffering physical abuse, sexual violence, or other health issues related to persecution. Access to reproductive health services, including prenatal and postnatal care, is needed to ensure healthy pregnancies for both mom and baby. Scholarships and educational programs for women and girls ensure access to education. This opens up opportunities and empowers them to advocate for their rights. Literacy programs for women, particularly in regions where they may have been denied education, enhance their ability to participate fully in society. Pastoral care and spiritual counseling can help women find comfort and strength in their faith. The development of programs within churches and Christian organizations that address the spiritual and practical needs of persecuted women can connect women globally.
The goal is to explore practical ways to offer preparedness, healing, and restoration for persecuted communities. This holistic approach addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those who have endured persecution. Organizations like International Christian Concern (ICC) provide comprehensive support to persecuted Christian women, helping them to heal, rebuild their lives, and regain their dignity and independence.
Open Doors. (2022). "Open Doors Parliamentary Report, The Persecution of Christian Women and Girls." https://media.opendoorsuk.org/document/pdf/Advocacy-Womens-Report-2022.pdf
Fisher, H., Miller, E. L., & Sauer, C. (2021). "Wounded because of religion: Identifying the components of gender-specific religious persecution of Christians. Mission Studies, 38(1), 119-141." https://doi.org/10.1163/15733831-12341777