The Human Rights Council held two panel discussions on the human rights of women, the first discussing violence against women - identification of priorities, and the second discussing maternal mortality and the human rights of women. Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking at the beginning of the meeting, welcomed the debate that focused on the two pressing issues of violence against women and maternal mortality.

The General Assembly had tasked the Council with setting priorities in addressing violence against women as a follow-up to its consideration of the Secretary-General's study on the subject. Millions of women and girls were subjected to desperate and dehumanising conditions on a daily basis, and in many cases with no relief or recourse to justice. In particularly egregious forms, violence, including sexual violence, had been committed and continued to be perpetrated in the midst of conflict and post-conflict societies on a magnitude and level of brutality that defied belief. Whether perpetrated in conflict or in peace, the root causes of violence against women were deep-seated inequalities and discrimination. A concomitant denial of basic rights, such as access to health services, education and water, overwhelmingly affected women.

Pauline Velso, Minister of the General Secretariat of Chile, said violence against women was a major violation of human rights. It was an age old reality, yet it was only a very recent concern for the international community. Violence against women was a scourge. Combating the scourge was complex. In order to address it, the root causes must be examined. It was not sufficient to criminalize the behaviour. It was not enough to provide aid to victims. The State had to have a policy to change norms.

Alejandra Sarda, Member of the Network of the Latin American and Caribbean Countries Committees for the Protection of the Rights of Women, said cultural norms formed many of the causes for violence against women. There was a solid set of international systems to define and penalize such behaviour. The Human Rights Council must now move on with further work. She recommended that the Human Rights Council appoint a focal point for violence against women. It was noted that a comprehensive approach towards empowerment of women remained the most effective instrument to counter violence against women.
SOURCE: Women Living Under Muslim Laws