Time for a New International Treaty to End Violence Against Women and Girls?
Violence against women and girls is one of the greatest violations of human rights in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical violence, and 30 percent of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence inflicted by their intimate partner. Yet more than one billion women lack legal protection from domestic violence.
In response to this pandemic, more than 2000 organizations and activists around the world have formed the coalition “Everywoman, Everywhere” that is advocating for an international treaty to end violence against women and girls worldwide. But others question – is such a treaty needed? And is it politically viable in the current global political context, in which we have seen a retreat from multilateralism?
The Gender Policy Report invited a mix of scholars and activists to weigh in on the question: Is it time for a new international treaty to end violence against women and girls?