This section lists human rights conventions and declarations that obligate countries that have ratified these conventions to treat violence against women as a human rights violation and to incorporate international standards into their domestic legislations. Also included in this section are strategy frameworks and policy documents that address VAW.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted in 1948 by 58 member states of the United Nations, UDHR defines human rights as fundamental to all human beings and requires governments to take actions to protect human rights of all beings.
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Adopted in 1993 by the UN General Assembly, this declaration defines violence against women. As a consequence of the declaration, the Commission on Human Rights adopted Resolution 1994/45 that appointed a Special Rapporteur on violence against women.
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
The Special Rapporteur has four mandates, which includes seeking information on violence against women, and recommending measures, ways, and means to eliminate VAW.
International Framework for Action to Prevent Trafficking in Persons Protocol
This framework is a technical assistant tool designed to support UN member states to effectively implement the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, which is a protocol that obligates its ratifying states to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.
Explanatory Report to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
Council of the European Convention provides definitions and information about prevention and protection measures, victims rights, investigation and prosecution, and other international instruments.
Domestic violence legislation and its implementation: An analysis for ASEAN countries based on international standards and good practices
This document analyzes domestic violence legislation in ASEAN countries with reference to international standards, specifically the CEDAW and UDHR.
UNFPA Strategy and Framework of Action to Addressing Gender Based Violence 2008-2011
This framework identifies eight priority areas in which UNFPA should strategically direct programming to address gender based violence.
International Violence Against Women: U.S. Response and Policy Issues
This report addresses causes, prevalence, and consequences of violence against women. It provides examples of completed and ongoing U.S. activities that address VAW directly or include anti-VAW components, and it outlines possible policy issues for the 112th Congress, including: the scope and effectiveness of U.S. programs in addressing international VAW; further integrating anti-VAW programs into U.S. assistance and foreign policymechanisms; U.S.