Bangkok--18 Nov--UNISBKK
UNIFEM launched its publication DV Legislation and its Implementation: An Analysis for ASEAN Countries based on International Standards and Good Practices at a side event of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and its Regional and Global Outcomes, at the UN Convention Centre in Bangkok on 17 November 2009. The launch was followed by a panel discussion focusing on the implementation and monitoring of anti-domestic violence legislation, using good practices from the ESCAP region.
UNIFEM is supporting ASEAN on the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on Violence Against Women. A workshop on DV legislation and good practices in the responses to domestic violence was conducted for ASEAN countries in October 2008. Two research papers with the analysis of such legislation for ASEAN Countries based on international standards and good practices in implementation from around the world were discussed at the workshop. These research papers have been developed into a publication.
The analysis in the publication is based on CEDAW. CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, obligates governments to promote and protect the rights of women in all spheres of their lives. As violence against women and girls is a severe violation of human rights, governments in the Asia Pacific region have the
responsibility to respond.. Many countries have enacted specific legislation against domestic violence while other countries address domestic violence through other laws and by adopting and implementing policies and programmes of action. It is equally important to ensure that these laws, policies and plans are effectively implemented toward the ultimate goal of eliminating violence against women and girls.
Dr. Heisoo Shin, former CEDAW Committee expert, delivered the keynote address and launched the publication at the event. The panel was be moderated by Socorro Reyes, Chief of Asia Pacific and Arab States, UNIFEM HQ. Libby Lloyd AM, Chair of the Violence Against Women Advisory Group, Australia, spoke on recent developments in Australia to reduce violence against women. Emmeline Versoza, Executive Director of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, presented a performance Assessment of various duty bearers in the implementation of the Philippine anti VAW Act. Finally, Yustina Rostiawati, Commissioner of the Indonesian Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), discussed survivors’ access to services in Indonesia.
The event was aimed at promoting accountability of duty bearers to women in the Asia-Pacific.
UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations, dedicated to advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies that foster women's empowerment. UNIFEM works on the premise that it is the fundamental right of every woman to live a life free from discrimination and violence, and that gender equality is essential to achieving development and to building just societies.
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