Gendercide

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Tissot Pharaoh and the Midwives

Gendercide is the systematic killing of members of a specific gender. The term is related to the concept of genocide, which is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group. Gendercide shares this definition but focuses specifically on the victims being chosen due to their gender. The most common forms of gendercide are against women and girls, often referred to as femicide, and against men and boys, which can be referred to as androcide.

Causes and Manifestations

Gendercide can occur in various forms and for various reasons, including cultural, social, and economic factors. In some societies, a preference for male children can lead to female infanticide or sex-selective abortion. This is particularly evident in countries with a strong preference for sons, where the birth of a girl is seen as a burden due to factors such as dowry systems. Conversely, androcide may occur in the context of armed conflict, where men and boys are targeted for killing due to their perceived threat as potential combatants.

Examples

One of the most notorious examples of gendercide is the Rape of Nanking, where it is estimated that tens of thousands of women were killed after being raped during the Japanese invasion of Nanking in 1937. Another example is the practice of female infanticide in India and China, where girls have been disproportionately targeted for death due to cultural preferences for male children.

In the context of armed conflict, examples of androcide include the Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War, where approximately 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.

International Response

The international community has recognized gendercide as a violation of human rights. Various international laws and conventions, such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), aim to prevent gender-based violence and discrimination. However, enforcement of these laws is challenging, and gendercide remains a critical issue in many parts of the world.

Prevention and Mitigation

Efforts to prevent and mitigate gendercide include improving the legal and social status of women, promoting gender equality, and providing education about the value of both genders. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international bodies also play a crucial role in raising awareness and providing support to affected populations.

See Also

• Genocide
• Femicide
• Androcide
• Sex-selective abortion
• Violence against women