Engendering Course of Actions

Evaluating Declaration of Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW): Through the lens of VAWIP

The Declaration of Elimination of Violence Against Women is a proclamation by the General Assembly in light of the rights and principles enshrined in international instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and specifically for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.It recognizes violence against women as a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination and discrimination against women by men preventing the full advancement of women, therefore posing as an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace.

 

Introduction

The Declaration of Elimination of Violence Against Women was adopted by the General Assembly on December 23 1993 for the effective implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Recognizing that the opportunities for women to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality are limited by continuing and endemic violence, the declaration aims to define of violence against women, and ensure a commitment by States and international communities at large in respect of their responsibilities, the elimination of violence against women.

Political participation

Article 3 states: Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. Which include:
(a) The right to life
(b) The right to equality

Violence Against Women

Article 1 defines "violence against women" as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

While Article 2 elaborates on the forms of violence, such as physical, sexual and psychological abuse in the family, general community including the work place and violence condoned by the State.

Violence Against Women in Politics

There is no specific reference to violence against women in politics, but an inference can be drawn from Article 2, which recognizes physical, sexual and psychological violence at work, including sexual harassment and intimidation at work, as well as Art. 3  which gives women the right to equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field, including the right to life and that of equality.

Conclusion

The Declaration lays down extensive responsibilities on the part of the State and UN bodies as well to work towards the elimination of violence against women in all forms, such as ratifying the CEDAW, drafting legislations, develop national plans, include in the budget as well as in educational policies, encourage, facilitate and adopt such guidelines, and goes one step further requiring state parties to develop preventive measures as well. However it does not recognize VAWIP in particular.