Home
Home › Advancement of Women

Addressing Domestic Violence

Violence against women and girls represents a global problem with great health, economic development, and human rights implications. At least one out of every three women and girls worldwide experience violence or abuse in her lifetime, according to the World Health Organization. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, a public health epidemic, and a barrier to solving global challenges, such as extreme poverty and armed conflict.

The following is an excerpt of the "Summary Policy Statement on Domestic Violence" by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, published in 2002.

"The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to convey a clear message that acts of domestic violence are at complete variance with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and that violence in the family is a practice to be condemned. In addition, domestic violence is a criminal act in the United States. Such behaviors, on the part of either men or women, are rooted in longstanding social practices connected with an inability or unwillingness to apply the fundamental spiritual principle of the equality of women and men and to recognize the fundamental right of every human being to be treated with consideration and respect."

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States has also developed a manual, Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies on Domestic Violence, to familiarize Baha'is with the many forms of domestic violence, to eliminate misconceptions about it, and to assist Local Spiritual Assemblies in providing relevant guidance on this issue to members of their Baha’i communities. Although this manual is intended primarily as a reference tool when a Local Spiritual Assembly is confronted with a situation of domestic violence, we welcome its examination by others who are also seeking to free humanity from this pernicious and age-old social disorder.

Baha'is work in partnership with the Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition to address issues related to ending violence against women.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2010

The Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition issued the following statement to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month this year:

Every day, in every corner of the world, women are beaten, assaulted or raped, and girls are trafficked, forced into prostitution or burned with acid for going to school. This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are reminded of this appalling violation of human rights and the need for the United States to do more to stop these atrocities.

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA, HR 4594/S 2982) is the answer. This groundbreaking bill would apply the force of U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance toward preventing gender-based violence. It is a comprehensive and coordinated approach that would help support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and prevent violence.

As religious leaders, we are particularly compelled to combat domestic violence in every community because of our role in supporting victims of abuse and our fundamental belief in human rights. The Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition, comprised of more than twenty national religious and community-based organizations, calls upon faith leaders nationwide to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month by urging Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act before the end of the year.

Contact your senators and representative today and insist that they stand up for the rights of women to be safe and live free from fear. Voters and more than 200 domestic and international organizations, humanitarian groups, faith-based and development groups support the passage of the International Violence Against Women Act— now it is time for Congress to do its part.

To learn more about the IVAWA or the Interfaith Coalition please contact Michelle Freeman at Jewish Women International, phone: (202) 857-1300, email: MFreeman@jwi.org

The Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition, convened by Jewish Women International in 2007, comprises over 20 faith organizations, representing millions of congregants spanning the Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, United Methodist, Catholic, Evangelical, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Mennonite, Seventh-Day Adventist and Unitarian Universalist communities across the US. The Coalition shares a commitment to effect positive change and to advocate, with a collective voice, for national legislation and policies that protect all people from domestic violence, with particular concern for women and children.