Ensuring That Laws Are Obeyed
These examples illustrate some steps taken at the national level towards the extinction of violence against women. Battling and destroying this requires enhanced and determined efforts to protect women at the local, national and international levels.
States have tended to adopt a passive attitude when confronted by cases of violations of women's rights by private actors. Most laws fail to protect victims or to punish offenders. Passing laws to criminalise violence against women is an important way to redefine the limits of acceptable behavior.
Countries should ensure that national legislation, once adopted, does not go unenforced.
Society at large, including judges and police officers, must be educated to change the social attitudes and beliefs that encourage male violence.
States have tended to adopt a passive attitude when confronted by cases of violations of women's rights by private actors. Most laws fail to protect victims or to punish offenders. Passing laws to criminalise violence against women is an important way to redefine the limits of acceptable behavior.
Countries should ensure that national legislation, once adopted, does not go unenforced.
Society at large, including judges and police officers, must be educated to change the social attitudes and beliefs that encourage male violence.