Blog 9: In Norway, Gender Equality Does Not Extend to the Bedroom

Even though Norway has been recognized as being one of the most gender-egalitarian countries in the world, that title doesn't persist in the bedroom. Norway, along with 127 other countries do not consider rape to be in crime within marriages. According to the Secretariat of one of the largest shelter organizations, “one in 10 Norwegian women over the age of 15 have been raped, but 80 percent of these cases are never brought to official attention, and only 10 percent end up being convicted.” It has seemed that domestic violence and sexual assault have become less of a concern when dealing with gender equality. The situation becomes harder to deal with at home when there are children involved. A women who was raped said, “ Yes, you are beaten up;yes you are raped. But you can also manage the situation and keep him away from the child.” It has been studied of how this sexual violence can occur so often in a country that gender equality is on the rise. It has been thought that as women are gaining social status within society, this leads mean to feel emasculated and react with physical violence. It is important to raise awareness of this degrading crime so it does not remain a private matter in the bedroom.

This article proves that even in countries that are becoming more gender-egalitarian, there are still many issues that need to be acknowledged and resolved. To enhance women's status within society the subject of rape needs to be addressed more openly, more efforts need to made in order to expose the injustices that women endure in the privacy of their home. Society must become more aware of rape to start to find effective ways to fight against this crime. It has been said that sexual violence occurs because of the independence that women are beginning to attain in society; which often leads the men to find means of maintaing control from physical assault. This attitude must cease because women should not accept this abuse because of their rising status. Women should not have to believe that they are incompetent in being independent which restricts them from forsaking their husbands. Women are just as capable in become educated to support themselves, and this is the mindset should be encouraged throughout every country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/world/europe/in-norway-gender-equality-does-not-extend-to-the-bedroom.html?pagewanted=3&ref=women