Vision-setting report 2016, para. 37

Paragraph
Paragraph text
In times of peace, violence is committed in both the public and the private spheres, including in the family, the community, in State institutions and at the transnational level. Such violence is more common where patriarchal gender norms are entrenched, and where social and cultural norms contribute to the acceptance of violence against women and girls, or where there are formal or discriminatory provisions in domestic legislation relating to sex and gender, and no specific measures to address or prevent violence against women. The mandate holder also notes the severe underreporting of sexual violence, and consequently the lack of prosecution of perpetrators. Conflict and post-conflict situations often exacerbate existing forms of discrimination, or generate new forms of violence against women who are already in a vulnerable situation, such as rape by State or non-State actors, maiming, sexual mutilation, abduction, forced marriages to armed fighters (enslavement), torture and other forms of inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment of punishment. The prevention of such violence must be placed within the broader context of the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, States are responsible for preventing acts of violence by State actors, and also to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and, in accordance with national legislation, punish acts of violence against women perpetrated by non-State actors.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Humanitarian
  • Violence
Person(s) affected
  • Girls
  • Women
Year
2016
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
37