This study, prepared by Ms Savitri Goonesekere, presents a basic overview of gender equality at law and the use of international standards to promote equality in the Asian and Pacific regions. The study is divided into four parts: Introduction; The Reception of the General Normative Standards on Gender Equality in International Law in National Constitutions and International Monitoring; Limitation of Constitutional Approaches and the Relevance of Substantive and Domestic Law; and The pecial Problem of Women and Violence.