Violence against women

In spite of the growing international awareness of the problem and the declared willingness of States to fight gender-based violence, women and girls continue to suffer disproportionately from violence, both in peacetime and in the context of armed conflict, at the hands of family members, intimate partners, community members and State agents. The violence is often of a sexual nature. Instead of taking responsibility, States frequently ignore or deny violence against women, or justify the abuse with a reference to “culture”. The perpetrators of violence against women often escape punishment and its victims rarely receive reparation. Through partnership, empowerment and gender mainstreaming, and by acting on its root causes, OMCT seeks to contribute to the prevention, reduction and, ultimately, elimination of violence against women. [Read more…]