“Tackling Violence against Women” is an online resource aimed at explaining the global and regional human rights frameworks that exist to end gender-based discrimination and tackle violence against women and girls. It is designed for anyone interested in the global campaign against violence against women, with information likely to be of particular value to civil society organisations and advocates.

This site is rooted in the understanding that violence against women is: 1. a form of gender-based discrimination; and 2. a violation of women’s human rights. As such, it sets out the existing international human rights structures and instruments designed to tackle violence against women, as well as those which have the potential to be used to be used in this way. This includes explaining the treaties and judicial bodies which can be accessed by lawyers, and highlighting where campaigning and advocacy organisations can engage with human rights bodies in order to better protect and promote women’s human rights.

The site is also aimed at making these systems and instruments more accessible to non-expert audiences. Throughout the site we use diagrams and icons (see key at the bottom of this page) to better explain what can be complex terms and structures. You will also find links to external resources, from the full text of treaties and legal judgments, to resource sites, articles, books and films.

Other highlights from the site include:

  • Landmark cases: our landmark cases set out some of the most shocking abuses that individual women have suffered. We have included this detail to give voice to these women, to highlight their experience, and show what changes and improvements followed.
  • A Timeline: our timeline maps the development of the international framework, but also includes achievements, challenges, key events and quotes from around the world.

About this project

The site is part of a multi-level project dedicated to tackling violence against women, based in the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at LSE under the leadership of Professor Christine Chinkin.

As part of the project, which was supported by HEIF5 Knowledge Exchange, and currently the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Centre for Women, Peace and Security is also working with two key UN entities concerned with violence against women. The Centre has supported and facilitated the working group of the UN CEDAW Committee which is updating the General Recommendation No. 19 on Violence against Women. It has also embarked on a two-year partnership with the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, with the current post-holder, Dr Dubravka Šimonovic, joining the Centre for Women, Peace and Security as Visiting Professor in Practice.

The project and site will grow over time, with new regional sections, interviews, cases. Some sections are under review and will be posted in the coming weeks. Join the Centre for Women, Peace and Security on Twitter, Facebook or mailing list to be updated when new pages are added.

Specific parts of the site benefitted from the guidance and contributions of colleagues connected to the Centre and in our wider community: Khariroh Ali, Louise Arimatsu, Christine Chinkin, Jane Connors, Gema Fernández Rodríguez de Liévana, Luz Patricia Mejia Guerrero, Nathalie Stadelman and Keina Yoshida.

Particular thanks are due to Jane Gordon at Sisters for Change for early guidance and inspiration.

Valuable research and copywriting work was undertaken by Alex McCarthy.

We are indebted to Joe Meegan for building the site, to Jonathan Ing in the LSE Design Unit for the design work and to Richard Meheux in LSE web services.


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Contact: women.peace.security@lse.ac.uk