WUNRN
NGO CSW 57 FORUM 2013 HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION - VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN & GIRLS
The 57th meetings of the Commission
on the Status of women will discuss the relentless epidemic of violence against
women and girls. Not only have one in three women worldwide been subjected to
violence in their lifetimes, but many will endure multiple consequences from a
long list of violent acts perpetrated against women and girls throughout their
lives.
Violence against women and girls is
rooted in the social system referred to as patriarchy in which men have the
central roles in society and family, and women's and girls' options are
restricted, and their lives often less valued. This gender inequality is
embedded in and reinforced throughout the social, cultural, and religious practices
of a society.
The United Nations has long been the
champion in promoting actions to end violence against women and girls. Many
major treaties, conventions, resolutions, protocols and international
frameworks resulting from UN activities emphasize the rights of women and girls
to live free from violence and discrimination. The 1995 Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action (BPfA), which identifies violence against women as one of
the twelve critical areas of concern requiring urgent action if the avowed
goals of equality, peace and development are to be achieved, clearly outlines
the obligations of Member States. The Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) similarly defines the legal
obligations of State parties to prevent violence against women and girls.
This year's CSW will discuss the
impediments that hinder progress on fulfilling commitments to gender equality
and an end to gender violence, and will emphasize prevention and services. One
transformative approach will be the emphasis on going beyond simple
awareness-raising projects to focus on actions that will transform social
attitudes, laws and institutions that support discrimination and violence.
Lack of political will on the part
of Member States is often cited as a major reason for lack of progress in
ending violence and discrimination. Beyond fulfilling the normative obligations
of the BPfA and the legal obligations of CEDAW, it is critical that States, by
establishing decision-making mechanisms, laws, policies, and practices that are
comprehensive, multi-sectoral and sustained, create an enabling environment in
which women and girls in every social stratum have full and equal human rights.
Essential to multi-pronged approach is that resources and programmes extend to
local communities and empower all segments of society to transform
discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.
In a time when the global financial
crisis has created economic pressures that often result in the reduction of
government social services and programmes, even more women and girls have been
rendered vulnerable to violence. At the same time, it is well-documented that
violence against women and girls results in enormous costs in terms of
decreased human capital, lowered overall education levels, and exacerbated
social inequalities. Governments must commit to funding measures targeting
gender equality outcomes.
States can extend and enhance their
violence prevention efforts by supporting and enlisting the help of civil
society actors including women, girls, men, boys, teachers and youth
organizations. Civil society, notably women's organizations, plays an essential
role in mobilizing communities to rethink the acceptability of violence and
support positive change.
Although men and boys are the
perpetrators of most violence against women and girls, their central role in
societal transformation for gender equality and a culture of non-violence
cannot be overestimated. Early intervention programmes should be encouraged for
boys, adolescent and young men to develop skills for non-violent conflict
resolution and the building of healthy relationships.
Programmes and measures involving
the entire community and all its resources are essential to reduce the
vulnerability of women and girls to violence and discrimination, to strengthen
prevention and to provide services to victims. Communities should involve men,
boys and survivors of violence in designing programmes to protect women and
girls and provide services to victims. Continued investment in effective
response to existing violence, including improving legislative, police and
justice services, is essential to both prevention and protection.
Experts in gender-based violence
agree that a holistic, comprehensive approach to prevention of violence against
women and girls is about building a society whose relationships, communities
and institutions are equal, non-violent and respectful of all individuals. Only
where women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, can they have
the opportunity to live fulfilling, productive lives.
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