Analysis and proposals of Human Rights based measures to combat violence against women

Women are subjected to various forms of violence. Physical abuse, genital mutilation, humiliation, trafficking of young women, the use of women as sexual objects in countries experiencing conflicts; are all acts of violence which need to be fought with the greatest energy and firmness. The different international conferences on women, as well as the Resolution 1325 of the Security Council of the United Nations, have not provoked the awareness or the hoped measures concerning the atrocious acts committed against women. In spite of the adhesion of a large number of countries to certain international judicial instruments concerning human rights and the fight on the discrimination against women, the tangible improvement in the daily life of women continues to be minimal, and certain efforts need to be continued to put a stop to this plague.

The « summaries of policies » listed in the following pages originate from scientific research focusing on the question of violence against women. They analyze and propose, each in its own way, measures to be taken, or which have already been taken by political decision makers concerned by the combat against this oppression, through the respect of human rights. These political summaries attempt to bring to each person interested, from researchers to political decision makers, to students or the human rights activist, pertinent research results or areas of reflection to help them fight all forms of abuse inflicted on women. These research summaries do not constitute in any way a ready made plan to be applied as such. They will give readers useful information to deepen their reflection and to respond to certain questions they have concerning the particular domain; the attack on the integrity of women.