Girls and women who stray from their traditional roles may risk violence and punishment. For example, men may resort to violence when they feel a loss of control as women take on more roles outside the home. Numerous strategies have been developed to combat this problem. These include justice system reform, treatment programmes for perpetrators and services for women who are victims of violence. Most of these initiatives have been led by women themselves.
Most laws remain inadequate in protecting abused women or in imposing sanctions against abusers.
Some laws even trap women in violent relationships. In Chile, for example, divorce is illegal even in cases of extreme violence. In other countries, laws make the prosecution of violent men almost impossible. In most countries, marital rape and domestic abuse are simply not recognized under the law, or the extent of a woman's injuries must be very severe before they are considered crimes. Even if a man is convicted, sentences are often minimal.