New commitments in the struggle against domestic violence - 04 December 2003

United Nations, Bangkok – A three-day regional workshop on domestic violence legislation concluded with new commitments to strengthen networking in the struggle against domestic violence.

Government and NGO delegates from 11 Asian countries pledged to step up the effort to pass domestic viole<<Selection in Document>>nce legislation in their respective countries, and work to ensure such legislation is effective.

UNIFEM Regional Programme Director Ms Lucita Lazo closed the workshop by noting the importance of enacting government policies.

‘While much of our work has focused on domestic violence legislation, the next order is to make sure that such laws and policies see practical results’ Lucy said. ‘The rhetoric of policy only has real meaning if it improves the lives of women.’

The workshop began with papers presented by a panel of experts including Dr. Tatsuya Ota of Japan, Dr. Dagmar Oberlies of Germany, and Dr. Kittipong Kittiyarak of Thailand. UNIFEM programme manager for EVAW Dr. Kornvipa Boonsue also spoke, setting the stage with a paper on VAW as a development and human rights issue.

Country presentations were divided into two main groups: countries with existing legislation on domestic violence (such as Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand), and a second group of countries without legislation, including those working on draft legislation.

The final day of the conference reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of laws, with a final session devoted to developing action plans for regional and subregional networks to eliminate violence against women.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Lucita Lazo asked government and NGO delegates to remember the importance of working together.

‘The little victories that NGOs have on the ground in terms of community services and pilot models can be exponentially multiplied if there is a genuine link between government and NGOs.’

‘The next wave of our work – both UNIFEM and the EVAW network – is to strengthen institutional delivery mechanisms. This means building the capacity of our partners and stakeholders, and this could well be the task of a regional network.’

Please check back soon to download copies of the conference papers, and the kit ‘A Life Free of Violence:  It’s Our Right!’

The UNIFEM Regional Programme on Eliminating Violence Against Women works in seven countries to raise awareness, strengthen legislation, build capacity and support innovative pilot models to stop gender-based violence. For more please see the EVAW programme page.

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