Violence against women is a worldwide occurrence, the cause and effects of which have been subtly incorporated into the infrastructure of society over time, said Sujata Warrier, director of the New York City Program, New York State Office for the Prevention of Violence.

“Women experience violence on a daily basis,” she said. “You have to understand how violence is used to control women.”

Her lecture, “Globalization and Violence Against Women,” focused on the economic violence that women face worldwide. She said the rise of consumerism has contributed to the exploitation of women workers, particularly those in third world countries, in the sense that they are forced to work for low wages to meet the worldwide demand of products.

“The economic system doesn’t work in isolation,” she said. “How poor women get impacted is quite different than how wealthy women get affected.”

Warrier spoke at 10 a.m. today at the Sacramento State Alumni Center to a crowd of approximately 100 students, faculty and community members. Her lecture was part of the Fourth Annual Violence Against Women Conference, entitled “Globalization and Women: The Good, Bad and Evil.” The event will continue until 3 p.m.

She challenged audience members to consider who is doing the work and for what amount of money, how our lives are balanced by the lives of others, and how the luxuries we enjoy impact the poverty someone else has to endure.

“We have to promote gender-sensitive economic policies,” she said. “In order to succeed, we need a new economic paradigm.”

Throughout the day, speakers discussed topics such as trafficking women and strategies of globalization in developing countries.

A buffet lunch was served and members of MANASA Tribal Fusion Belly Dance performed. There was also a table of free-trade products available for sale.

The conference was sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center, the SHARE Institute, and the collaboration of Sac State’s Multi-Cultural Center, Sociology Department, Visiting Scholars Program and One Man Can Program.

Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Jessica Heskin of the Women’s Resource Center organized this annual event. She said she wants those who attended to think of how things affect women on an international level.

“We’re just hoping people look at the issues involved with the (consumer) choices they make,” she said.

Natalye Childress Smith can be reached at [email protected].