Legislation

Throughout this knowledge module, reference to certain provisions or sections of a piece of legislation, part of a legal judgment, or aspect of a practice does not imply that the legislation, judgment, or practice is considered in its entirety to be a good example or a promising practice.

Some of the laws cited herein may contain provisions which authorize the death penalty. In light of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions 62/14963/16865/206, and 67/176 calling for a moratorium on and ultimate abolition of capital punishment, the death penalty should not be included in sentencing provisions for crimes of violence against women and girls.

Other Provisions Related to Domestic Violence LawsResources for Developing Legislation on Domestic Violence
Sexual Harassment in Sport Tools for Drafting Sexual Harassment Laws and Policies
Immigration Provisions Resources for developing legislation on sex trafficking of women and girls
Child Protection Provisions Resources on Forced and Child Marriage
Other provisions related to dowry-related and domestic violence laws
Related Tools

Overview

Last edited: March 01, 2011

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Violence against women and girls is now well established as a form of gender-based discrimination that violates fundamental human rights. International and regional treaties, conventions and agreements call for the prevention and prosecution of violence against women, and for redress for complainants/ survivors. United Nations bodies such as the Security Council and the General Assembly have passed comprehensive resolutions stressing the importance of state involvement at all levels in preventing and ultimately eliminating violence against women. These instruments hold states accountable for failing to act with due diligence to protect individual women and girls from acts of violence, for ensuring that law enforcement, the judiciary, and health care and social service providers are trained in the dynamics of gender violence, for providing reparations to survivors, and for providing them with assistance, often best accomplished through consistent and adequate funding to women’s NGOs, which have the trust of survivors and the expertise to provide them with assistance.