Search Results (241)

Henri Lefebvre’s “right to the city” has rarely been examined through an intersectional feminist lens, leaving unnoticed the uneven burdens that urban design and policy place on women. This article bridges that gap by combining constitutional analysis, survey data (n = 736), in-depth interviews, and participatory observation to assess how Quito’s public spaces affect women’s safety and mobility. Quantitative results show that 81% of respondents endured sexual or offensive remarks, 69.8% endured obscene gestures, and 38% endured severe harassment in the month before the survey; 43% of these incidents occurred only days or weeks beforehand, underscoring their routine nature. Qualitative narratives reveal behavioral adaptations—altered routes, self-policing dress codes, and distrust of authorities—and identify poorly lit corridors and weak institutional presence as spatial amplifiers of violence. Analysis of Quito’s “Safe City” program exposes a gulf between its ambitious rhetoric and its narrow, transport-centered implementation. We conclude that constitutional guarantees of participation, appropriation, and urban life will remain aspirational until urban planning mainstreams gender-sensitive design, secures intersectoral resources, and embeds women’s substantive participation throughout policy cycles. A feminist reimagining of Quito’s public realm is therefore indispensable to transform the right to the city from legal principle into lived reality. Full article

(1) Background: Intrapartum obstetric violence has become increasingly visible and is portrayed as a cross-cutting and complex phenomenon. Despite numerous international debates and extensive reports in the literature, there is limited consensus on its definition, emphasizing the need to clarify the concept. The aim of this article is to analyze the concept of obstetric violence in the care of women in labor in health institutions; (2) Methods: Search and selection of studies using the scoping review methodology, based on the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and Rodgers’ conceptual review method for data extraction and analysis; (3) Results: A sample of 49 studies provided a comprehensive understanding of the concept, revealing in its conceptualization attributes of physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, institutional and structural violence. Identification of antecedents of gender inequality and failure of relational, technical and structural standards at the level of health institutions and their professionals, as the main triggers of obstetric violence. Reporting of consequences with a negative impact on maternal and child health; (4) Conclusions: Conceptual analysis with important contributions to the paradigm shift in the work of health professionals. Multiple dimensions, cultural differences and variations in the concept should continue to be examined to improve its research and application. Full article

Violence against people with albinism (PWAs) in Tanzania continues nearly two decades after mass media reported the first incidents in the mid-2000s. The violence is linked to organ trafficking for use in “magical rituals” that allegedly help politicians and businesspeople to succeed in their endeavors. Over time, as societal awareness grows, the attacks become increasingly clandestine and complex. PWAs themselves, the public, and gray literature frequently relate the violence to the increased political and economic activity and participation following Tanzania’s adoption of political and economic liberalization. However, scholarly research is either silent or mentions the occult practices only in passing. This paper, therefore, explores Tanzania’s institutional arrangements both driving the violence and crippling the efforts at promoting the rights and welfare of PWAs in the wake of increasing political and economic participation in the country. It discusses the ways in which violence against PWAs has evolved alongside political and economic dynamics from the time such incidents came to public attention until the present. I argue that the current approach, whereby advocacy about the rights of PWAs relies on appeasing the state, appears to perpetuate the very beliefs and practices driving the violence. The exploration makes use of first-hand experience through my participation in numerous formal and informal interactions with PWAs, internal and external meetings within the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS), interviews, and gray literature on the subject. Full article

Gender equity is one of the most complex contemporary challenges, encompassing political, economic, labor, and cultural dimensions. This study aims to analyze the impact of public policies, labor practices, and social movements in promoting gender equity across various socio-political contexts. To answer the central question of how these elements influence a reduction in gender inequalities, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted, complemented by a Bibliometric Analysis, following PRISMA protocol guidelines. The bibliographic search, carried out in the Scopus database, covered the period from 2015 to 2025 and identified 26 relevant studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria. The results reveal that, despite progress in formulating policies aimed at combating gender-based violence and promoting equality, the implementation of these measures is hindered by a lack of inter-institutional coordination and the persistence of deeply rooted cultural norms. Likewise, structural inequalities in the labor sphere are evident, such as the gender wage gap and barriers to professional advancement. On the other hand, social movements have emerged as key actors—including governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and healthcare providers—in highlighting and transforming these disparities by driving changes in political agendas and increasing women’s representation in decision-making positions. In summary, this study underscores the need to adopt intersectional and comprehensive approaches to achieve effective and sustainable gender equity, while comparing the influence of policies across different global regions. Full article

Background: Health and safety are critical pillars of functional higher education systems. In South African universities, recurring incidents have highlighted vulnerabilities, particularly concerning gender-based violence (GBV), student housing conditions, infrastructure safety, and campus crime. Methods: This study employed a document-based qualitative approach, analysing public records, police reports, campus press statements, and national media coverage of incidents reported at South African universities (2015 to 2024). The study is guided by public health and victimology frameworks to examine systemic risk factors and institutional responses. Results: The findings indicate increased reports of GBV, multiple student deaths related to substandard residence conditions, infrastructure-related fatalities, and a lack of consistent institutional safety policies. A pattern of poor infrastructure management, weak inter-institutional communication, and failure to implement recommendations following major incidents emerged across the dataset. Conclusions: South African universities remain exposed to preventable student risks. Targeted interventions, mandatory safety audits, emergency response units, and accountability structures are urgently needed to address systemic failings and protect student welfare. The study supports Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 by linking campus safety to student well-being and equitable access to higher education. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this review is to map nurses’ responsibilities in addressing individuals who are victims of violence, specifically in the preservation of forensic evidence in both intra- and extra-hospital contexts. The research question is as follows: What are a nurse’s responsibilities regarding the care of victims of violence for the preservation of forensic evidence in in-hospital and out-of-hospital emergencies? Methods: The mnemonic PCC (P-Population, C-Concept, and C-Context) method was followed according to the recommendations of the Joanna Brigs Institute (2024). The population is defined as “individuals who are victims of violence”, the concept (phenomenon of interest) as “nursing interventions determining responsibilities in forensic evidence preservation”, and the context as “intra- and extra-hospital emergencies”. A search was conducted in the following databases: CINAHL Complete via EBSCO Host, Medline Complete via EBSCO Host, PubMed, Web of Science, and RCAAP via B-ON. From the total articles retrieved, 18 were selected for analysis. Results: The 18 articles emphasized the critical role of nurses in preserving forensic evidence in both intra- and extra-hospital contexts. These findings were grouped into six domains to clarify the topic: (1) knowledge and training of nurses on forensic evidence preservation and the implementation of standardized protocols; (2) collection of biological and non-biological samples to preserve evidence on the victim’s body; (3) collection of biological and non-biological samples to preserve evidence on the victim’s objects and belongings; (4) documentation of forensic traces and evidence; (5) maintenance of the chain of custody; and (6) ongoing interprofessional collaboration between nurses, law enforcement, and judicial authorities. Conclusions: Intra- and extra-hospital emergencies, teams must be proficient in recognizing victims of violence and in conducting appropriate evidence preservation to ensure their legal admissibility. Full article

This article examines Marcel Janco’s Holocaust drawings, positioning them within the broader discourse of Holocaust representation, trauma, and avant-garde aesthetics. Created in response to the Bucharest Pogrom of January 1941, these works resist both forensic realism and pure abstraction, instead embodying rupture, instability, and fragmentation. Janco’s grotesque distortions neither document events with the precision of testimony nor dissolve into conceptual erasure; rather, they enact the instability of Holocaust memory itself. This essay argues that Janco’s Holocaust works, long overshadowed by his modernist and Dadaist contributions, challenge dominant frameworks of remembrance. Through comparative analysis with artists, such as David Olère, Anselm Kiefer, and George Grosz, it situates Janco’s approach at the limits of witnessing, exploring how his figures embody violence rather than merely depict it. While Olère reconstructs genocide through forensic detail and Kiefer engages with the material traces of memory, Janco’s grotesque forms share an affinity with Grosz’s politically charged distortions—though here, fragmentation serves not as critique but as testimony. Furthermore, the study interrogates the institutional and critical neglect of these works, particularly within Israeli art history, where they clashed with the forward-looking ethos of abstraction. By foregrounding Janco’s Holocaust drawings as both aesthetic interventions and acts of historical witnessing, this article repositions them as crucial yet overlooked contributions to Holocaust visual culture—demanding recognition for their capacity to unsettle, resist closure, and insist on the incompleteness of memory. Full article

The underreporting of gender-based violence (GBV) in institutions of higher learning can be attributed to a range of causes and has an impact on students’ physical and mental health. Institutions of higher learning have made efforts to eradicate the problem, yet incidences are still on the rise, calling for urgent attention. This paper focuses on the causes of the underreporting of GBV in higher education institutions (HEIs) as a point of reference to understanding the root magnitude of the pandemic in order to devise problem-specific interventions to eradicate GBV in institutions of higher learning. The rational choice theory and cultural acceptance of violence theory guided the analysis of the findings discussed in this paper. The rational choice theory provides insights into why victims choose not to report their victimization. The cultural acceptance of violence theory highlights how cultural norms can normalize and perpetuate GBV, creating barriers for victims to come forward. The findings discussed in this paper emanate from a qualitative study that gathered data using 22 one-on-one interviews with students and one focus group comprising seven supporting staff members from the University of Umvoti. Data were thematically analyzed to address the research objectives. The findings indicate that intimidation and distrust in law enforcement agents and institutions are the main reasons why GBV is underreported. Other factors that may be at play include fear of the perpetrator taking revenge, fear of not being believed, stigma and shame, the patriarchy, reliance on money, and a lack of awareness about GBV. To address these issues, this paper recommends that higher education institutions should uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and transparency in handling GBV cases. Moreover, there should be ongoing facilitation of awareness campaigns on GBV covering issues of consent, gender equality, safety, and reporting and support. When victims of GBV feel supported, they are more likely to trust the institution and report any victimization. Full article

Zimbabwe’s 2008 electoral violence created lasting societal impacts, yet the psychological consequences for youth, particularly through intergenerational effects, remain under-explored. This study examines how memories of this violence are transmitted to contemporary youth, including those born after 2008, and influence their political attitudes and participation. The study employed a qualitative approach in Harare’s Mbare suburb, utilising 20 in-depth interviews and four (4) focus groups, which were analysed through a trauma-informed lens. Findings indicate that youth inherit ‘traumascapes’ from elders, which cultivate fear, silence, and political apathy. Parental warnings and experiences link activism directly to vulnerability, prompting youth to adopt disengagement or performative allegiance as survival strategies amidst structural impunity and socio-economic precarity. Unresolved, intergenerationally transmitted trauma perpetuates cycles of civic disempowerment. The study concludes that post-conflict recovery in Zimbabwe requires moving beyond institutional reforms to prioritise psychosocial healing and demands that transitional justice frameworks explicitly address these inherited psychological wounds. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the main cause of violence against women, especially in Mexico. However, the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV have not been well understood in this population. A total of five focus groups that included Mexican women who were victims of IPV were conducted to understand the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV, and a thematic analysis was performed. A total of 32 participants were included, with a median (range) age of 35 (24–70). The main causes mentioned by the participants were (a) cultural ones, among which Machismo, transgenerational violence, and cultural norms and gender roles were the main categories; (b) emotional causes, among which the lack of emotional abilities and emotional dependence were the main categories; and (c) educative causes, among which the lack of information about mental health, emotional abilities, IPV, and healthy relationships was reported. The main consequences mentioned were (a) psychological; (b) physical; (c) economic; (d) family-related, including impacts on children; and (e) legal, in relation to IPV complaints and children’s custody. Finally, the main solutions mentioned by the participants were (a) prevention through education, including educational programs to address mental health, IPV information, healthy relationships, and training in emotional skills; (b) cultural transformation; and (c) institutional strengthening, with this last solution including improving public policies, improving legal advice, and training for legal authorities. In conclusion, the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV were varied and included many instances; therefore, its prevention and solution should be performed at the inter-institutional and community levels, in which the promotion of emotional skills should play a fundamental role. Full article

This article investigates the employment conditions of Syrian refugee workers in the clothing industry in Istanbul, as well as its consequences on their socio-emotional well-being and life plans. 62 interviews in the form of life stories were conducted with these workers from workspaces of varying sizes. The research identifies ambiguity, hyper-precarity, institutional violence, and segregation (refugees mostly work in small workshops) as the main concepts for understanding these conditions. The dimensions of socio-emotional well-being are dominated by depression and loss of control over life. However, the personal (self) dimension (proud, optimistic, and staying positive with oneself) remains high. As a result, migration outside of Turkey emerges as as ongoing hope in the pursuit of stability and control over the future. Full article

This study explores hate speech in educational contexts, focusing on initial teacher training in Chile. It conceptualizes hate speech as a form of expression that promotes violence and exclusion, emphasizing the role of social media in its amplification. Drawing on the theories of Levinas, Arendt, and Žižek, the research highlights the importance of citizenship education in building inclusive and democratic educational environments. A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational design was employed, based on a survey conducted among history pedagogy students at Chilean universities. Using non-probabilistic sampling, the study applied statistical analyses, including Spearman’s correlation and Cronbach’s alpha (0.84), to ensure reliability. Key findings indicate that 51% of participants believe teacher training should explicitly address hate speech, while 70% expect the Ministry of Education to provide institutional support. A strong correlation (0.49) was found between social media usage and the spread of hate speech. Although students recognize the problem, significant resistance remains regarding the inclusion of hate speech and diversity-related content in teacher education programs. The results underscore the urgent need for public policies that integrate diversity, human rights, and critical digital literacy into teacher training, aiming to prevent discrimination and promote ethical and inclusive educational practices. Full article

Victims of domestic violence who bring their experiences to the attention of their spiritual communities and faith leaders have experienced both betrayal and courage from their religious institutions. There is much hurt in the betrayal and much to celebrate in the courage. Institutional betrayal can be embedded in systemic and organizational cultures that repeat themselves even with new leadership and across generations. When leadership hesitate to take actions to protect members, or values the institution above the individuals that depend on it, betrayal ensues. Alternatively, institutional courage can be implemented through improved practices and updated organizational policies. This is true in all communities, including those of faith. When clergy take supportive actions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those within an institution, healing is more likely to follow. Faith leaders must seek to engage proactively, protect the vulnerable against injustice, and create cultures that benefit those who depend upon the institution. It takes courage to practice institutional courage! Full article

This study explores how ideological, relational, and sociodemographic factors predict women’s perceptions of severity and self-responsibility across different types of intimate partner violence (IPV). Using an intra-subject design, 257 women completed the measures of interest, 191 experiencing IPV and 66 non-victims, according to their responses to WHO instruments. Participants were recruited via dissemination of the study through WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and institutional email. The results indicated that the primary predictors of perceived severity were ambivalent sexism in physical violence; favorable attitudes toward IPV (all forms of violence); feminist identity (physical violence and controlling behaviors); dependency (psychological violence); commitment (physical sexual, and controlling behaviors); education level (physical violence); and age (sexual violence). For attributed self-responsibility, ambivalent sexism and favorable attitudes toward IPV were predictors for controlling behaviors. Commitment and dependency, being a victim and age-influenced psychological violence, whereas being a victim predicted sexual violence. In addition, physical violence is perceived as the most severe and controlling behavior, eliciting greater levels of attributed self-responsibility than other forms of IPV. These results highlight the main predictors of cognitive distortions (perceived severity of violence and attributed self-responsibility), offering insight into the processes that victims in IPV situations undergo. Full article

The social and behavioral sciences have contributed enormously to our understanding of societies and the relationships between individuals within them. Sexual harassment is a universal social problem that is reproduced in different contexts and societies. However, institutions such as universities have made it invisible, contributing to the impunity of harassers and the vulnerability of victims. This has been the case for decades in countries such as Spain. Today, universities are implementing training measures to prevent such behavior. This article analyzes, from a dialogic sociological perspective, one of these interventions in terms of its success and impact on the academic community: the “Training for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence at the University”, implemented by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain) between 2021 and 2024. The article defines and analyzes its main characteristics: (1) the contents based on scientific evidence; (2) the human commitment of the trainers; and (3) the dialogue with the solidarity network World MeToo Universities. The article concludes that the positive impact of this pioneering intervention in the academic community constitutes a universal and transferable successful action to overcome gender-based violence in universities. Full article