[women-rights] UN human rights experts urge stronger efforts to fight violence against women in private sphere

***Learn more about the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women, 25 November 2005:
{http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/vaw-day.php }

 
UNITED NATIONS Press Release 
24 November 2005

 On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism
against Gender Violence on 25 November, the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Louise Arbour, and the Special Rapporteur of the United
Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its
causes and consequences, Yakin Ertürk, call on Governments, the wider
United Nations system and civil society to strengthen efforts to
address violence against women in the private sphere. 

 Most violence against women is committed in realms which are less
visible and open to State intervention. In every country of the
world, men beat, mutilate, rape and murder their wives, daughters and
other female relatives. In some countries, legislation explicitly
legitimizes this violence. In many countries, there is no legislation
specifically criminalizing violence against women perpetrated in the
private sphere. Where there is legislation and policies to eradicate
domestic violence, these are often not implemented, access to
services (including social, medical, and legal services) is limited
and the perpetrators are not held accountable and enjoy impunity. We
urge States to challenge societal values that support discrimination
against women and legitimize violence against them; adopt specific
legislation addressing domestic violence and end impunity for crimes
committed against women. 

 International law obliges States to prevent, investigate and punish
all acts of violence against women, whether they are committed by
private or State actors. Failure to meet this obligation is a
violation of women's human rights. Police, members of the judiciary
and the broader criminal justice system must ensure that gender
justice becomes a reality. Women must have the broadest access to
affordable social, health and legal services. In addressing the root
causes of violence against women all forms of discrimination and
unequal power hierarchies must be eliminated. Women's economic and
political empowerment must be supported and gender roles which
relegate women to an inferior status and make them vulnerable to
violence must be continually challenged.

 We recognize the efforts of Governments to take a strong stand in
this context. We welcome the decisions of courts and tribunals that
reflect progressive interpretations of international law. For
example, gender-based persecution is increasing being recognized as
grounds for asylum and more and more courts are recognizing marital
rape as a crime. But this is not enough. There is a clear need for
greater political will to prioritize violence against women as a
fundamental human rights violation, which can be eliminated with
appropriate dedication and resources. 

 We can celebrate the fact that the efforts of the past decade have
brought awareness that violence is not a fate and have given hope to
women in all corners of the world that it can be stopped. We must
respond to th



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