Tackling Violence against Women

Violence against women / gender-based violence is defined as "violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman, or violence that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty" (CEDAW Rec. No. 19). Thus, gender based violence impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of human rights and fundamental freedoms under general international law or under human rights conventions. States (including municipalities and cities) are called under Rec. No.19 to take "appropriate and effective measures to overcome all forms of gender-based violence, whether private or public acts [.....]" further, they "may also be responsible for private acts if they fail to act with due diligence to prevent violations of rights or to investigate and punish acts of violence, and for providing compensation".