Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequence, - Addendum - 15 Years of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (1994-2009) - A Critical Review

Authors: 
Title: 
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequence, - Addendum - 15 Years of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (1994-2009) - A Critical Review
Document Type: 
Documents by United Nations Bodies and Agencies
Reference: 
U.N. Doc A/HRC/11/6/Add5 (May 27, 2009) (Delivered at the 11th Session of the Human Rights
Annotation: 
This Human Rights Council (Council) report provides a critical analysis of the efforts of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women. There are four main spheres that are recognized (the family, the community, violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, and the transnational arena), and within these spheres, the report specifically focuses on domestic violence, harmful and culturally justified practices that are violent to or subordinate women, and health rights of women and how they relate to violence against women. The report also addresses States' compliance, implementation and accountability with respect to their legal obligations in addressing violence against women. It discusses various conceptual shifts that have occurred with respect to the adoption of the due diligence standards by States, as well as a shift in focus towards empowerment initiatives, such as education, health and gender equality requirements. The report also looks at the Special Rapporteurs work in the area of preventing cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation, that persist in societies despite their illegality. It then describes the intersectional framework adopted with regard to discrimination and the continuum of violence.