Question

1. List at least 3 ways that violence against women could be decreased, according to your text.

Answer 1

Communities’ response to violence

A few women-initiated community-level responses to domestic violence are praise worthy. The Nari Adalat and Sahara Sangh initiatives have been organized by the Department of Education's Mahila Samakya Program in two districts of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Salishe, a traditional method, is being utilized by the Nongovernment Organisation Shramajibee Mahila Samiti in West Bengal. The ICRW conducted a television program in four channels entitled “Bol”. It created awareness among women.

Legislative response

International: There are a number of international Instruments to curb violence against women. The United Nations General Assembly resolution endorsed the urgent need for the universal application of women's rights of equality, security, liberty integrity and dignity. Article 55 and 56 of United Nations charter cast a legal obligation on United Nations organization to promote respect for equality and human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 5, states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.[32] There have been three United Nations world conferences on women. One in Mexico in 1975, the second in Copenhagen in 1980, and the third one in Nairobi, wherein strategies were framed to promote gender equality and opportunities for women. These were based on three objectives: Equality, development and peace.

The Vienna Declaration, 1993[33] calls for action to integrate the equal status human rights of women. It stresses toward elimination of violence against women in public and private life. The Beijing conference, 1995[34] provided a platform for concentration on some of the key issues identified as fundamental obstacles to the advancement of majority of women in the world. It focused on issues such as discrimination against women, violence against women, etc.

The Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 1981,[35] to which 166 countries are members, is a landmark document because it framed violence against women within the framework of human rights. It identified female as the primary risk factor for violence and broadened the definition of gender violence (to include all aspects of women's life).

Domestic legal remedies in India

The Constitution of India:[36] Article 14 is on equality.

Difference in treatment between men and women by the state is totally prohibited on grounds of religion race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 21 is on right to live; right to live with human dignity.

The National Commission for Women: It was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990[37] to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redress of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

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