In the Moso matriarchal society in southwest China, there is no domestic violence, and violent incidents seldom occur even among neighbors and villages. The existence of these cultures - although they are small in number - proves that violence against women is not an inevitable result of male physiology, sexual desire or hormone levels, but is due to the gender structure of society.

Trans-cultural research shows that violence against women is closely related to social gender structure. Specifically, it is related to whether or not there is a "male ideal" in a given society. "Male ideal" refers to the idea of the stress of ruling, being strong and being a "man of honor." If we say that the structure of the relationship between men and women has a biological basis, we should understand it as "natural and reasonable," even "good," and unchangeable. However, since trans-cultural research has found that some societies do not have rape and violence against women at all, there can be no biological basis for domestic violence whatsoever. So social structures based on a "male ideal" are not "natural and reasonable," and they are not "unchangeable." Thus, feminists are always wary of the "anti-violence trap," which refers to the dangerous point of view that holds that male violence against females occurs because of males' biological impulses, which come from the nature of male and female gender.

Many feminists think that if statistics reflect reality and rapists are not strangers but mostly acquaintances of the victims, violence must come from unequal power relationships. Some scholars believe that lack of equality between men and women in families is directly related to domestic violence. If the number of homes where husbands and wives are equal increases, domestic violence will surely decrease.

Since the United Nations launched its efforts to combat violence against women, women in many countries have made very positive efforts. From women's education to shelters for abused women and the establishment of female police forces, a worldwide movement to stop violence against women is rising up and rapidly gaining strength. Many people have suggested setting up a global network to put the issue of violence against women on human rights agendas. This network would combine social work, legal aid, education, health care and shelter construction to help abused women.

It is certain that, backed by the efforts of people from all walks of life, the implementation of China's first domestic violence law will greatly reduce the occurrence of domestic violence and will improve the situation of women and families who have been harmed by domestic violence.

The writer is a Chinese sociologist.

The article was translated by Li Bin. Its original unabridged version was published in Chinese.

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