Violence Against Women
Domestic violence against women constitutes a challenge to human rights by hurting the human dignity and restricting the opportunities for full development of citizenship, said Tuesday the Angolan minister of Social Welfare.
João Baptista Kussumua was speaking at the First Conference on Women and Domestic Violence in Angola, held in Luanda.
The Cabinet minister added that the phenomenon poses a serious problem that needs to be recognized and regarded by society and State.
The minister spoke of the need to adopting public policies that promote the prevention and combat, as well as help strengthen the network for support the victim.
He noted that gender issues constitute essential factor in the development of Angola since it breaks down barriers related to the traditional education, harmonizing social relations, creating equal opportunities in all fields and the levels and build a society where human rights are felt.
The official considered essential the implementation of awareness campaigns, education, training and monitoring so that the communities can realize the need to change behaviour, attitudes and practices.
"Both men and women are different biologically but socially equal, since they establish relationships that much each other, respect and solidarity," said the minister, who compared the domestic violence to negative impact caused by diseases like HIV/AIDS within families.
In the second quarter of 2011 the country recorded 1,086 cases of violence.
Out of this number, 964 women, corresponding to 89 percent, and 122 men (11%) became victim of the phenomenon, stressed the minister.