Regional and International laws to fight violence
International frameworks
These frameworks apply globally across all UN member states or are open for signature by any country.
CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
Year: 1979
Countries signed: 189
UK status: Ratified (1986)
Key protection: GBV recognised as discrimination
What is it?
Often called the 'international bill of rights for women,' CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations in 1979. With 189 countries signed up, it's one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties in the world.
What this means
Although CEDAW doesn't explicitly mention violence in its original text, the CEDAW Committee has made clear through General Recommendation No. 19 (1992) and No. 35 (2017) that gender-based violence is a form of discrimination. This means countries that have ratified CEDAW have legal obligations to address violence against women.
What governments must do:
Pass laws criminalising violence against women
Provide support services for survivors
Ensure police and courts take violence seriously
Work to change discriminatory attitudes and practices
Report regularly on their progress
How you can use it:
Every few years, countries must submit reports to the CEDAW Committee. Women's organisations can submit 'shadow reports' highlighting where governments are failing. If your government violates your rights and you've exhausted domestic options, you can submit an individual complaint under the Optional Protocol.
UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW) (1993)
Year: 1993
Type: UN Declaration - non binding but influential.
Key innovation: The first international instrument specifically focused on VAWG
What is it?
The first international instrument specifically focused on violence against women. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993, it provides a clear definition of violence against women.
What this means:
This declaration established the principle that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations. . It covers physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family, community, and perpetrated or condoned by the state. It also introduced the concept of 'due diligence', meaning governments can't say violence is a 'private matter.' They must actively prevent it.
Whilst not legally binding like a treaty, it set the stage for all subsequent GBV frameworks.
Key principle:
States should exercise 'due diligence' to prevent, investigate, and punish acts of violence against women, whether committed by the state or private individuals.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) & Beijing+30 (2025)
Year: 1995
Countries signed: 189
UK status: Ratified (1986)
2025 significance: 30th anniversary, new commitments expected
What it is:
Adopted by 189 governments at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, this is the blueprint for women's rights. It identifies 12 areas of concern, including violence against women.
The importance of 2025:
2025 marks 30 years since Beijing. Governments are making new commitments through the Beijing+30 Action Agenda: a key moment for accountability.
What it covers on GBV:
Prevention through education and changing attitudes
Support services for survivors
Legal reform and enforcement
Data collection
Addressing root causes including inequality
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) (2015-2030)
What it is:
The UN's 2030 Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 5 specifically focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Relevance to GBV:
Target 5.2 explicitly calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual exploitation, FGM and child marriage.
Why it’s important:
Every UN member state has committed to these goals. Governments report on progress, making SDG 5.2 a concrete accountability mechanism for ending violence against women.
UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security
Key resolutions:
Starting with Resolution 1325 (2000), the UN Security Council has passed multiple resolutions recognising that women and girls are disproportionately affected by armed conflict and that sexual violence is used as a weapon of war.
Major resolutions:
UNSCR 1325 (2000): Women's participation in peace processes and protection from conflict-related violence
UNSCR 1820 (2008): Sexual violence as a tactic of war and threat to international security
UNSCR 1888, 1889, 1960 (2009-2010): Strengthening accountability for conflict-related sexual violence
UNSCR 2106, 2122 (2013): Accountability for perpetrators and support for survivors
Why it’s important:
These resolutions establish that sexual violence in conflict settings isn't just a side effect of war, it's a violation of international law that requires prevention, protection, and prosecution.
ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (2019)
Year: 2019
UK status: Not ratified
Digital violence coverage: Yes, includes ICT-enabled harassment
What it does:
The first international treaty specifically addressing violence and harassment in the workplace, adopted by the International Labour Organisation.
What it covers:
Physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence at work
Protection for all workers regardless of contractual status
Domestic violence that affects the workplace
Harassment during commutes, work-related travel, and online communications
Why it’s important:
Recognises that women face disproportionate workplace violence and that employers have obligations to prevent and respond. Countries that ratify must pass laws and implement policies to protect workers.
Includes digital violence:
Online harassment during work hours is covered
Cyberbullying by colleagues or managers is a workplace violation
Harassment via email, Slack, Teams, or other work platforms must be prevented
Employers have obligations to protect workers from digital harassment
UK status:
The UK has not ratified this convention despite unions and women's organisations calling for ratification. This means workers have fewer protections against digital workplace harassment than in countries that have ratified.
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT) (1984)
Relevance to GBV:
Whilst not specific to women, the Committee Against Torture has recognised that gender-based violence, including domestic violence, rape, and FGM, can constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment when committed or condoned by state actors.
This creates additional accountability for governments to prevent and respond to severe forms of gender-based violence.
Regional and continental frameworks
These frameworks apply to specific regions or continents and often provide stronger protections than global instruments.
Europe
Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) (2011)
Year: 2011
UK status: Ratified, : 2022
Framework: Four Ps - prevention, protection, prosecution, policy
Whilst not explicitly mentioning digital forms in its text, the Convention's provisions on stalking and harassment have been interpreted by courts to include cyberstalking and online harassment. However, explicit coverage would be stronger.
Africa
Maputo Protocol (2003)
What it is:
Adopted in Maputo, Mozambique in 2003, this is Africa's key human rights instrument against multiple forms of gender-based violence
What it covers:
Prohibition of all forms of violence against women
Elimination of FGM and forced marriage
Women's rights in marriage and family
Reproductive rights and health
Economic and social welfare rights
Political participation
AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (2025)
Year: 2025
Countries signed: so far Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, DRC, Liberia, The Gambia
What makes the 2025 Convention transformative:
Explicitly covers digital violence, including deepfakes and online harassment: the most advanced digital violence provisions in any binding international framework
Introduces a Circle of Champions on Positive Masculinity
Recognises intersectionality: that poverty, disability, race, and displacement compound risks
Requires binding government action with accountability mechanisms
However:
Only six countries signed in July 2025 Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, DRC, Liberia, and The Gambia, and since then only Djibouti has ratified the convention. Campaigns being led by women's movements across Africa, pushing for rapid ratification and implementation, as it will only become legally binding once 15 states have signed and ratified it.
Americas
Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará Convention) (1994)
Year: 1994 (entered into force in 1995)
Countries signed: : 32 countries in the America
What it is:
The first legally binding regional treaty specifically on violence against women. Adopted by the Organisation of American States in Belém do Pará, Brazil in 1994. 32 countries in the Americas have ratified it.
What it covers:
Defines violence against women as physical, sexual, or psychological violence occurring in the family, community, or perpetrated by the state. Recognises women's right to live free from violence.
Key mechanism:
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights monitors implementation through MESECVI (a coalition of multiple bodies including states, women’s rights organisations and civil society organisations that work to ensure states fulfil the agreed provisions of the convention), which conducts country evaluations and publishes reports.
Why it’s important:
Has produced landmark decisions, including recognising femicide as a distinct form of violence requiring specific state responses. Countries can be held accountable through the Inter-American human rights system.
Success story:
The landmark case María da Penha v. Brazil (2001) used this Convention to hold Brazil accountable for failing to protect a woman from repeated domestic violence. It led to Brazil passing a domestic violence legislation.
Asia-Pacific
ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Elimination of Violence Against Women (2016-2025)
What it is:
A non-binding regional framework for Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).
What it covers:
Prevention through education and awareness
Protection services for survivors
Legal reform and justice
Regional cooperation and data sharing
Limitations:
Unlike binding treaties, this is a voluntary action plan. However, it provides a framework for advocacy and accountability within the region.
SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution (2002)
What it is:
A regional convention for South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) specifically addressing trafficking.
What it covers:
Prevention of trafficking, protection of victims, prosecution of traffickers, and regional cooperation. Requires countries to criminalise trafficking and provide support to survivors.
It represents important regional cooperation on a form of gender-based violence affecting millions of women and girls in South Asia.
Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (2012)
What it is:
Adopted by Pacific Island Forum Leaders, this declaration commits Pacific Island countries to eliminating all forms of violence against women.
Why it’s important:
Recognises the particularly high rates of violence against women in Pacific Island nations and commits to responses including legal reform, support services, and changing social norms.
Arab States
Arab Charter on Human Rights (2004)
What it is:
A regional human rights charter for the League of Arab states member states. Whilst not specific to GBV, it includes provisions on women's rights and equality.
Limitations:
The Arab region currently lacks a binding regional convention specifically on violence against women, though several countries have signed international instruments like CEDAW.
Emerging progress: Despite limitations, important national level reforms are happening: Tunisia's VAW law (2017), Jordan's Family Protection Law, Morocco's criminalisation of domestic violence, and increasing public discourse on issues like sexual harassment, marital rape, and honour crimes.
Advocacy led by women’s rights movements continues for stronger national and regional mechanisms to address GBV in Arab states, building on international frameworks and national women's movements.
Global campaigns and initiatives
UN Women's UNiTE Campaign and 16 Days of Activism
Campaign: 16 Days of Activism (Nov 25 - Dec 10)
2025 Theme: Digital violence against women and girls
Type: Global advocacy campaign (not legally binding but influential)
What it is:
Not a legal framework, but a global advocacy campaign led by UN Women. Each year, it focuses the 16 Days of Activism (November 25 – December 10) on a specific theme related to ending violence against women and girls.
2025 focus:
Digital violence against women and girls, including revenge porn, deepfakes, coordinated online harassment, and tech-facilitated abuse, as well as online violence against women’s rights defenders.
Page updated 24 November 2025