Overall, the law has failed women. Although governments and the international community have invested heavily in legal systems, in many settings, women still suffer appalling violence and discrimination. In some countries, rape is endemic; in others, girls are bought and sold in settlement of family debt; forced and underage marriage, domestic violence and femicide remain all too common. Women's oppression and suffering is compounded by civil conflict. Under the guide of religion or ideology, the desire to control women's bodies or garb persists. For these reasons, IDLO has made gender cross-cutting theme in all its work, as well as the focus of distinct research and programming.
(Photo: ILO/Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh)
After breakfast every day Shabnum* sews chappan, a traditional coat worn by men and women in Afghanistan. In the afternoon, she embellishes the chappans with intricate needlework patterns to sell to interested buyers in Kabul.
On November 25, 2018, community-based organizations, non-governmental actors and representatives from the legal community convened in Mandalay, Myanmar for a special community theater performance raising awareness about violence against women.
El acceso de las mujeres a la justicia es esencial para cumplir una aspiración clave de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: no dejar a nadie atrás.
La justice pour les femmes est indispensable à la réalisation d’un des principaux objectifs du Programme de développement durable à l’horizon 2030 : veiller à ne laisser personne de côté.
From conflict-affected countries and fragile states, to the halls of the most powerful decision-making bodies, women face significant barriers when it comes to access to justice, gender equality and empowerment.
Somalia is striving to strengthen its institutions and to improve the rule of law, however high levels of crime still persist. These include forms of complex crimes, namely extremist violence, organized crime, sexual and gender-based violence and corruption. In recent years, the Somali Federal Government has improved the fight against armed groups and made efforts to improve the capacity of the justice system to handle complex crimes.
Inaugural Meeting: High-level Group on Justice for Women
Update (as of July 27, 2018): The Inaugural Meeting Report is now available below
While data is difficult to gather, sexual and gender-based violence in Myanmar is prevalent and has been characterized as a “silent emergency” by the United Nations Population Fund.
