2006/213

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: FROM WORDS TO ACTION

 TEHRAN, 11 October 2006 (UNIC) — A new study by the United Nations Secretary-General finds that, in all countries of the world, violence against women persists as a pervasive scourge, endangering women’s lives and violating their rights. Such violence also impoverishes families and communities, drains government resources and restricts economic development.

The pervasive and widespread persistence of violence against women, and the impunity with which it is allowed to continue, are clear indicators of the failure of States to fully meet their obligations to protect women.

In spite of gains, notably in developing the international legal and policy framework to address violence against women as a violation of human rights, significant gaps of implementation remain between international standards and national laws, policies, and practices.

Violence against women “… has yet to receive the priority attention and resources needed” in order to address the issue with the necessary “seriousness and visibility”. As long as violence against women continues, said United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in his study released at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, “…we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace.”

Countless women are affected

Synthesizing studies conducted around the world, the study shows that violence against women is a widespread phenomenon, severe and pervasive throughout the world, and complex and diverse in its manifestations.

Violence against women takes many forms: it can be physical, sexual, psychological/ emotional and/or economic. It is perpetrated in armed conflict. The most common form of violence experienced by women globally is physical violence inflicted by an intimate partner. A WHO study on intimate partner violence conducted in 10 countries found rates of physical violence by an intimate partner ranging from 13 to 61 per cent, with sexual violence by an intimate partner ranging from 6 to 59 per cent. Other studies covering 5 countries show that 40 to 70 per cent of female murder victims were killed by an intimate partner.

Various forms of harmful traditional practices exist around the world but comprehensive data is lacking. The most comprehensive research has been conducted on female genital mutilation/cutting and an estimated 130 million girls and women alive today have undergone this harmful practice.

While measuring the extent of trafficking is difficult, various sources suggest that hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked every year and the majority of victims of trafficking are women and children, many trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The costs of violence against women, both direct and indirect, are high. The direct costs include costs of services to treat and support abused women and their children and bring perpetrators to justice. The indirect costs include lost employment and productivity, and the costs in human pain and suffering.

Inadequate responses

Violence against women is a violation of their human rights. States have obligations and commitments, under international law and policy instruments, to address and prevent such violence. Yet the persistence of violence against women worldwide attests to the fact that States are failing to meet their obligations.

Many States have yet to adopt legislation that criminalizes all forms of violence against women. Research indicates that 102 States have no specific legal provisions on domestic violence, and marital rape is not a prosecutable offence in at least 53 States. Only 93 States have some legislative provision prohibiting trafficking.

Where legislation exists it is often inadequate in its scope and coverage and/or not effectively implemented. Many States do not have sufficient support measures in place for women victims of violence. They also lack systematic and reliable data on violence against women that is needed to inform strategies to overcome such violence. In addition, discriminatory traditions, customs and stereotypes persist that perpetuate discrimination against women, placing them at risk of violence.

Ending impunity and preventing violence

Ending impunity and ensuring accountability for violence against women are crucial. Concerted and immediate action on the part of governments is needed. Work to end violence against women requires a clear demonstration of political will and commitment, and systematic and sustained action backed by adequate resources.

To end impunity and prevent violence, States must:

-secure gender equality and protect women’s human rights;

-exercise leadership to end violence against women;

-close the gaps between international standards and national laws, policies and practices;

-strengthen the knowledge base and availability of data on all forms of violence against

women to inform policy and strategy development;

-build and sustain strong multi-sectoral strategies, coordinated nationally and locally; and

-allocate adequate resources and funding.

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