LAW AND SOCIAL INQUIRY

This article analyzes the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as a part of an emerging global system of law to end violence against women. The author suggests that despite the lack of enforceability of CEDAW and its operation within domestic state laws, the Convention is similar to state law. She begins by providing some background information on CEDAW and its role in eliminating violence against women. Challenges to implementing CEDAW and issues such as ratification, committee hearings, surveillance, culture and NGO activity are also discussed.

This article discusses and compares domestic violence in Muslim societies in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In particular, the author highlights the relationship between four issues in each of these communities: shari'a, state power, intrafamily violence and struggles over women's rights. She examines the role of each issue in violence against women, and argues that the most important factor in understanding domestic violence and the impunity of batterers is the relationship between religion and state power.