NOTE TO THE READER
The 2013 session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women reached
a historic global consensus that discrimination
and violence against women and girls have
no place in today’s world. It agreed on a
comprehensive blueprint of actions to prevent
and eliminate all forms of violence against
women and girls, the theme of its deliberations.
The “agreed conclusions” adopted by the
Commission on the Status of Women at the
conclusion of its session (E/2013/27) cover all
forms of violence against women and girls, in
all contexts and settings. Emerging forms of
violence, such as cyber stalking and cyber bullying,
gender-related killings, or femicide, and the need
for safety in public spaces, also receive
attention. The agreed conclusions recognize that
multiple forms of discrimination and other factors
expose some women and girls to increased risk
of violence, requiring targeted responses.
The introductory part (paragraphs 1 to 33) of the
agreed conclusions sets out the framework as
well as progress and challenges in addressing
this scourge. It condemns all forms of violence
against women and girls as a violation of the
enjoyment of human rights, and reiterates that
custom, tradition or religious consideration may
not be invoked to avoid obligations with respect
to its elimination. The introductory part also
makes it clear that violence against women and
girls must be addressed in a comprehensive
manner through prevention measures as well as
support for victims and survivors of such violence.
Following this introductory part, the
Commission urges governments and other
stakeholders (paragraph 34) to take actions
aimed at strengthening legal and policy
frameworks, prevention, response, and the
evidence-base (sections A to D).
Section A (paragraphs (a) to (bb)) sets out actions
to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that
address gender inequality and violence against
women and girls. The section also includes
actions aimed at ensuring accountability to end
impunity and punish perpetrators, and providing
access to justice for survivors. It also calls for the
allocation of resources.
Section B (paragraphs (cc) to (ccc)) focuses on
prevention. It includes actions to address the
structural causes, social norms and gender
stereotypes that perpetuate violence against
women and girls. Other actions aim to promote
and protect the human rights of all women,
including their sexual and reproductive health
and reproductive rights, and to realize their
empowerment and participation at all levels.
Education, awareness-raising and community
mobilization, including the engagement of men
and boys, and of the media, are also covered in
this section.
Section C (paragraphs (ddd) to (lll)) focuses on
the response to violence against women and
girls. It calls for the establishment of a range of
essential services, programmes and responses
for women and girls subject to violence. It
refers to the role of the police and justice
sector, legal aid services, health-care services,
including sexual and reproductive health, and
medical services, so as to address all health
consequences in the immediate aftermath of
such violence and respond to trauma. Actions
also aim at ensuring availability of social and
rehabilitative services, and their accessibility for
victims and survivors.
Section D (paragraphs (mmm) to (qqq)) presents
actions to improve the evidence-base including
through research and analysis, and enhanced
data collection and information dissemination.
The section also calls for the development
of national monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms, and the sharing of good practices
and experiences.
Governments and other stakeholders are now
called upon to implement the actions contained
in the agreed conclusions so that all women
and girls can exercise their right to a life free
from violence, and the fear of such violence.
UN Women stands ready to support Member
States and other stakeholders in this work.