Developing Awareness Among Pre-Service Teachers Against Gender Related Crimes

Women’s equal dignity and human rights as full human beings are enshrined in the basic instruments of today’s international community. From the Charter of the United Nations’ endorsement of the equal rights of men and women, to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the subsequent international treaties and declarations, the rights of women are central to our vision of a democratic society. But the fine words of these documents and of the Vienna Declaration in 1993 and the declaration of Beijing in 1995 stand in sharp contrast to the daily reality of life for millions of women. Of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty, 70 per cent are women; the majority of the world’s refugees are women; female illiteracy is invariably higher than male illiteracy. Women and girl-children are treated as commodities in cross-border prostitution rackets and the pornography industry. Millions of girls are still subject to genital mutilation, while women in every country are regular victims of domestic violence. In many countries, women lack access to reproductive health care and every day women are targeted in armed conflicts. Women’s economic, social and cultural rights continue to be neglected. Key words: Awareness, Pre-service Teachers and Gender Related Crimes