A/HRC/RES/35/10
and girls, and to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public
and private spheres,
Acknowledging the important role played by regional conventions, instruments,
declarations and initiatives to combat violence against women and girls,
Taking note with appreciation of the World Health Organization global plan of
action to strengthen the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to
address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children,
building on existing work of the Organization, in particular its call for the prevention and
elimination of all forms of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in public and
private life,
Taking note of the work of the High-level Working Group on the Health and Human
Rights of Women, Children and Adolescents,
Expressing deep concern about the continued prevalence of violence against all
women and girls in all its different forms and manifestations worldwide, and reemphasizing that violence against women and girls violates, abuses or impairs their human
rights and, as such, is completely unacceptable,
Recognizing that violence against women and girls is rooted in historical and
structural inequality in power relations between women and men, which further reinforce
gender stereotypes and barriers to women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of their human rights,
and that all forms of violence against women and girls constitute a major impediment to
their full, equal and effective participation in society, the economy and political and
individual decision-making, as well as in leadership roles, hindering them from the exercise
and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of equality with
men,
Reiterating the need to intensify efforts at all levels to prevent and eliminate all
forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres, including the
need to challenge gender stereotypes and the negative social norms, attitudes and
behaviours that underlie and perpetuate such violence,
Recognizing the particular risk of violence faced by all women and girls who suffer
multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and stressing the urgent need to address
all forms of violence and discrimination against them,
Expressing concern at institutional and structural discrimination against women and
girls, such as laws, policies, regulations, programmes, administrative procedures or
structures, services and practices that directly or indirectly restrict access to institutions,
property and landownership, nationality, health care and services, education, employment
and access to credit, which negatively affect their empowerment and increase their
vulnerability to violence, and compound the violence experienced,
Recognizing that violence against women is a manifestation of gender inequality and
discrimination against women and girls, and can impede their economic independence and
impose direct and indirect short- and long-term costs on society and individuals, including,
as relevant, lost economic output and the psychological and physical impact thereof, as well
as expenses relating to health care, the legal sector, social welfare and specialized services,
Recognizing also that those who are exposed to or experience violence in childhood
are at increased risk of becoming perpetrators of violence against women and girls, and
therefore recognizing the need to prevent and eliminate violence against women and
children in order to help to stop the intergenerational cycle of violence,
Expressing deep concern that, during times of armed conflict and post-conflict,
forced displacement and humanitarian crisis situations women and girls face a heightened
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